The Batman Arkham Thread (News, Rumors, Potential Spoilers)

[AustinIllini]

I absolutely love all of these games. Looks like a Batman announcement is all but imminent.

Rocksteady’s New ‘Batman’ Game Release Date, Logo Leaked?

There was never any doubt that Warner Bros.’ Batman: Arkham Origins was designed to continue the franchise that Rocksteady Studios had built, while the UK studio went on to develop their next project. It was almost a certainty that the game would be a new Batman experience, but specifics have been hard to come by. When word broke last month of an impending announcement, fans knew they simply had to count the days, but the details may already be appearing.

Now, a retailer has spotted what looks to be promotional material for Rocksteady’s next Batman title featuring a new logo, and a projected release date of October 8, 2014. Take all these reports with a grain of salt, but if past reports hold true, fans may have an official announcement to look forward to within days.

It’s been a foregone conclusion that Rocksteady would continue to work on DC Comics’ most famous vigilante, with rumors of a Silver Age adventure just one of several options. Voice actor Kevin Conroy already confirmed that he would be voicing Bruce Wayne in an unannounced Arkham game, hinting that Rocksteady wasn’t straying too far from a successful formula. Now a retail employee has spotted a piece of promotional artwork in the wild:

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New Batman Arkham Game Logo Leaked

There doesn’t seem to be much revealed in the artwork, aside from the continued Arkham logo, and what appears to be a fiery tinge to the design. According to Kotaku, a GameStop employee revealed that stores were also receiving an a poster tied to the game dubbed ‘Zeppelin,’ but photos of that artwork have yet to appear online.

That’s little to go on for most, but Batman fans know that zeppelins are one of the signature trademarks of Gotham City’s skyline, so perhaps Rocksteady is building and even bigger open world than before; tackling Gotham proper, not merely Arkham? Add in the prospect of seeing the city (like the logo) bathed in fire, and you’ve got a head-turning piece of advertising (not to mention potential Game Informer cover) promising not just a more complex game world for next-gen, but devastation fans have yet to see.

Batman The Cult Deacon Blackfire Game

The Joker may be out of the picture after the events of Arkham City, but there are plenty more choices for ‘big bads’ whenever Batman is being discussed. If we had to choose a prime contender, we’d go with ‘Deacon Blackfire.’ Not only due to his name being somewhat of a play on the apparent logo for the game, but his ruthlessness. In the brutal Jim Starlin story arc “The Cult,” Deacon Blackfire takes over Gotham City by force, capturing and brainwashing Batman in the process.

That’s just one theory based purely on speculation, but it would promise a level of maturity and scale of disaster that would take the Arkham series into a new realm – something that the developers are likely looking to do after two entries placed squarely in the most famous Batman characters. The same batch of leaked details claims that employees are instructed to only place the material after March 3, and that the still-unnamed game has a release date for October 8, 2014.

Hopefully the truth can be separated from fact in just a few short days, when Rocksteady gets around to making an official announcement – if any. What are your hopes for the next Batman game from the makers of Asylum and City? Would you like to see a familiar sequel, or a completely new direction for next-gen?

 

[MRU]

I am betting It will turn out to be DLC or a game of year edition for Origins.

 

[AustinIllini]

I am betting It will turn out to be DLC or a game of year edition for Origins.

Could be. The Rocksteady inclusion appears to be an assumption by the author of this article. If it is Rocksteady, it's not likely Arkham Origins DLC, though.

 

[MRU]

Could be. The Rocksteady inclusion appears to be an assumption by the author of this article. If it is Rocksteady, it's not likely Arkham Origins DLC, though.

True.

I'm just factoring that we have heard that DLC (Mr.Freeze et..) is on its way to Origins and we know publishers like Warner will milk a game till the very end.

It seems therefore too early to over shadow Origins latest DLC by announcing a new Batman, and way too early even by E3 standards.

We shall see.

Origins was only OK, but the map/world despite being based on Arkham City was for the most part a real mess. The initial area you started the game in Origins was the worst culprit. I revisited Arkham City three times, but one play through of Origins and I didn't want to return.

 

[skottichan]

As long as there's no Joker in it, I'll be happy.

I'd love to see Rocksteady make a Batwoman game, with all the mysticism in Gotham could be explored with Kate, and have the main boss of the game be either Alice or Medusa.

But, I know that won't happen. So, my guess, something where Hush frames Batman with the death of Joker or some other figure, and you spend the game fighting both villains, and Gordon's GCPD to clear your name.

 

[MRU]

Well it's a new game alright

The bat seems to be out of the bag: Rocksteady's new Batman game will be Arkham Knight.

That's according to a listing on major UK retailer GAME, which has since been pulled (but immortalised on NeoGAF).

Arkham Knight was listed for PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and carried a "TBC 2014" release date.

The game is to be a finale for the celebrated Arkham Series that Rocksteady created. Most exciting of all, it appears to feature a driveable Batmobile, with which to explore the presumably open world of Gotham City.

A pre-order bonus was the ability to play as Harley Quinn in exclusive Challenge Maps.

 

[skottichan]

Trailer

 

[AustinIllini]

It seems like a good time for Rocksteady to finish what they started, but I doubt this is the last we'll see of the Batman Arkham series, especially when one of the games was designed internally by Warner Brothers. I am looking forward to this for sure.

Interesting it's only for PS4, PC, and XBOX One.

 

[MRU]

Interesting it's only for PS4, PC, and XBOX One.

Yeah it is actually especially given the user base of 360/ps3. It's also shame no Wii U either. Perhaps they will announce them later maybe as ported by another studio?

If not it's the first big big title that isn't targeting current gen.

 

[Celtic Warrior]

That's exciting news from Rocksteady. Actually, it's always better to create your own villains rather than stick with DC universe. If I am not mistaken, this game has its own villain Dark Knight who is going to be main arc foe of Batman in this game. Maybe they're trying to make us relive Dark Knight Rises experience probably. Batman might beat Arkham Knight as hard as he beat in the movie.

 

[crzdcolombian]

The new Trailer looks insane !!!

Would love them to do a Battle for the Cowl game. Basically Bruce "dies" and everyone fight over who should be the next Batman. Tho people hate not playing as the actual main character MGS2 and Halo 2. Battle for the Cowl was such an awesome comic arc. I am glad that the Arkham games follow their own story line so I don't know whats going to happen but would be cool if you could use the other members of the Batfamily like any of the Robins, Batgirl, Batwoman and Catwoman. They kind of cheat with the whole challenge map thing. I don't think that counts.