Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a 2010 action-adventure video game based on the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man, developed by Beenox and published by Activision. Players control four different versions of Spider-Man, each originating from a different universe in the Marvel Comics multiverse. Previous Spider-Man voice actors Neil Patrick Harris, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Dan Gilvezan, and Josh Keaton each voice one of the four Spider-Men. The Nintendo DS version of the game was developed by Griptonite Games and features only three Spider-Man variants.
The game revolves around an artifact known as the Tablet of Order and Chaos. When it is shattered into pieces during a fight between the Amazing Spider-Man and Mysterio, it causes problems with multiple realities across the Marvel Multiverse. Madame Web recruits the Amazing Spider-Man and three alternate versions of the hero—Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man—to restore balance by retrieving the tablet fragments from villains within their respective dimensions. Gameplay alternates between the four Spider-Men, who control similarly but present a different gameplay style and/or abilities. For example, the Spider-Man Noir levels encourage a stealth approach, while the Ultimate Spider-Man levels place emphasis on large scale combat encounters.
Shattered Dimensions is the first Spider-Man game developed by Beenox after being given the license by Activision, replacing previous developer Treyarch. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the concept of bringing four Marvel universes together, and lauded the voice acting, combat, presentation, humor, and score. However, criticism was aimed at the game's simplistic story, choice of villains, and the overall design of the cutscenes as well as its technical difficulties.
A sequel, Spider-Man: Edge of Time, was released in October 2011, featuring only the Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099. Both the game and its sequel were de-listed from the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live marketplaces in 2014 following the expiration of Activision's existing licensing deal with Marvel. Shattered Dimensions was re-released via Steam on October 24, 2015, but was later removed on April 1, 2017.
One of the writers of the game, Mark Hoffmeier, also worked on the well-received Spider-Man: The Animated Series on Fox Kids before working on the game. Some of the concepts from the TV show influenced the game, including the use of multiple versions of Spider-Man (as seen on the show) and the concept of the Tablet of Order and Chaos. Another writer for Shattered Dimensions, Dan Slott, later worked on the 2014 comic book storyline, "Spider-Verse", which was influenced by the game and, in turn, inspired the animated Spider-Verse film franchise.
