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Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate features Mega Man-style boss progression
Batman won't be squaring off against eight Robot Masters created by Dr. Wily, but his upcoming game Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will still take some lessons from old-school platformer Mega Man. Players will choose the order of boss fights, a la Mega Man, which will lead to more gameplay variety on repeat playthroughs, director Mark Pacini said during an interview with Polygon. The Mega Man comparisons don't stop there, either. Defeating a boss will earn you a specific item tied to that character, which Batman can subsequently use to make future engagements easier. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Bats will get to summon a flying robo-dog during his adventures in Blackgate.
Batman: Arkham Origins free with select Nvidia graphics cards
Here's a dynamic duo for you: Right now, when you buy a qualifying Nvidia graphics card, you'll receive a copy of Batman: Arkham Origins for free when the game releases. That's good news for PC and Batman enthusiasts, as the PC version of Arkham Origins will boast Nvidia-specific tech like PhysX and TXAA antialiasing, as well as DirectX 11 tessellation and HBAO+ graphics options. It may even make omelettes if you ask nicely. Pick up a GeForce GTX 660, 660 Ti, 670, 680, 760, 770 or 780 to take advantage of the Bat-bundle. Nvidia pulled a similar move last month, when it announced that, as part of an "alliance" with Ubisoft, it would bundle Splinter Cell: Blacklist free with the same cards.
Batman Zing! Whammo! Pows! his way to YouTube's top superhero spot (video)
Bruce Wayne may be on permanent vacation with Selina Kyle, but that hasn't stopped Batman from topping YouTube's list of most popular superheroes. Based on views and amount of content, the Dark Knight is number one, racking up 3 billion pairs of eyes on 71,000 hours of video. That's 213 trillion hours you spent watching the antics of a flying rodent with daddy issues -- or roughly 42,000 views per hour of footage. More surprising than that though, is who came in second place. It wasn't Spider-Man (seventh with 340 million views of 7,400 hours of video) or Tony Stark (fourth with 1.7 billion views of 20,000 hours of video). If you heard thunder, you heard right. Thor has 2.1 billion views and 66,000 hours of video, but only around 32,000 views per hour of tape. What does it all mean? Mjolnir's owner is around 33 percent less popular (views per hour) than Gotham's First Son -- and he's a god. Ouch. That Bats has a pair of killer video games benefiting from repeat walkthrough viewings probably helps, but we imagine clips like what're after the break do the actual heavy lifting. If you want to see if your favorite made the cut, hit YouTube's blog from the source link below. [Image credit: Tony Sak]
Learn how to Batman correctly in Infinite Crisis
Most people aren't aware of this, but there's a lot of skill involved with Batmanning properly. It's not just about jumping between rooftops and driving giant cars – it's also about meter management and ensuring team-wide synergy.
Batman: Arkham Origins 'Deathstroke' DLC also coming to Wii U
After being conspicuously absent from the original announcement's press release, confirmation of Deathstroke's playable presence in the Wii U version of Batman: Arkham Origins comes to us from the land down under. Warner Bros. has affirmed in a statement to Aussie Gamer that the pre-order DLC found in other versions, which also bundles extra maps and costumes, is also included on the Wii U, as made evident by the above advertisement. Also made evident: Batman is going to need a new cowl.
PSN Summer Blast sale begins tomorrow
The PlayStation Network will offer some deep, deep discounts on several games starting tomorrow. For PlayStation Plus members, those deep discounts should be considered deep squared. Examples include Batman: Arkham Asylum for $10 ($5 for PS+), Scott Pilgrim for $4 ($2 for PS+) and Shadow of the Colossus for $10 ($5 for PS+). The sale goes on for two weeks, with next week's offers including: Simpsons Arcade, Hitman Trilogy and Lego Batman. Find the full list with prices after the break.
Batman: Arkham Origins PS3 gets 'Knightfall' content
During the PlayStation event at E3, Sony's Jack Tretton announced Batman: Arkham Origins would get some exclusive content on PS3 themed around the Knightfall storyline. In addition to that, a 1960s Batman skin will also be available on PS3.
Kevin Conroy returns for Batman: Arkham Origins [Update: But not as Batman]
Update: Kevin Conroy will be in Arkham Origins, but not as Batman, despite his storied career with that character. Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, Warner Bros. announced on May 20. Original story: Kevin Conroy will be in Batman: Arkham Origins, and he's already spent 10 months in the studio recording those gruff-yet-dulcet tones. Conroy confirmed his involvement at Dallas Comic-Con, but didn't specify if he plays The Bat himself – not that he has to. He opened the panel with, "I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman." Because, you know, he is. NAG magazine reported in April that Warner Bros. had passed on Conroy for Arkham Origins. Conroy voiced Batman in both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, and he was the man behind Bruce Wayne in Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Beyond and subsequent DC universe cartoon spin-offs. Arkham Origins is scheduled to launch on October 25 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U.
Infinite Crisis closed beta begins next week
Turbine Entertainment's DC Universe MOBA, Infinite Crisis, will begin its closed beta testing next week on Wednesday, May 8, publisher Warner Bros. has announced. Folks interested in participating in the testing initiative should fill out an application, provided they – like us – have sufficiently mastered the art of using a gaming mouse while wearing Batman gauntlets. Warner Bros. also released some new artwork showcasing Infinite Crisis' multiverse variants of Batman and Wonder Woman. Gaslight Batman is pretty cool, we guess, but did you see that robot? She's like if Wonder Woman were a Persona user.%Gallery-187306%
Lobo trounces Flashpoint Batman in first Injustice: Gods Among Us DLC footage [Update: Lobo on May 7]
Sure, technically Lobo should win this fight, but something about Batman losing to The Main Man just doesn't feel right. At any rate, this trailer represents our first look at Injustice: Gods Among Us' first DLC character in action, showcasing Lobo's ranged chain whip/hook attacks, sawed-off shotgun and appropriately disrespectful super.This trailer also shows off a new Batman skin, specifically one based on the version Batman from the Flashpoint universe – Bruce's father Thomas Wayne, rather than Bruce himself. We've emailed Warner Bros. about the release window for Lobo and the new costume, and we figure more information will be available after an elaborate series of cross-franchise plot arcs and retcons.Update: NetherRealm creative director Ed Boon has announced on Twitter that Lobo will be available on May 7. No further information regarding Batman's new outfit has surfaced.
Infinite Crisis introduces Doomsday and Gaslight Batman to the roster
Turbine's Infinite Crisis roster keeps growing larger and more potent. Today the studio has unveiled two new playable characters for the MOBA: Doomsday and Gaslight Batman. Doomsday is a brute-force character who loves to wail on opponents at close range, while Gaslight Batman is an inventor who's all about his trusty sonic pistols. We've got a video for each of these characters for you to check out after the break. Discussion: Which of these two would win in a fight, do you think? [Source: Turbine press release]
Latest Injustice footage showcases Killer Frost, Ares (with bonus Batman Beyond fashion)
NetherRealm Studios has finally gotten around to admitting that Killer Frost and Ares are part of the Injustice: Gods Among Us roster, rather than letting a tweet and some Xbox Live Marketplace items hog all the fun.As the above trailer shows, Killer Frost predictably has more than a little in common with Sub-Zero, what with the ice powers and everything, though her abilities widely seem far more interesting than ol' Subs'. In fact, Killer Frost does the sorts of things it always seemed like Sub-Zero should have been doing, what with the icicle impalement and the freezing touch and whatnot. Meanwhile, Ares sounds like Dark Helmet from Spaceballs and has the ability to summon a multitude of different weapons, as one might expect from the god of war.In related news, NetherRealm Studios also unveiled an alternate Batman costume based on Batman Beyond, which can be seen after the break. We're not saying it makes us desperately pine for a full Batman Beyond game or anything, but we are going to go watch the show on Netflix and cry for hours and hours.
Jens Andersen reveals DCUO's Origin Crisis DLC
Although he's been dropping hints and teasing fans for a while now, Creative Director Jens Andersen kept the bulk of DC Universe Online's seventh DLC, Origin Crisis, under wraps. That all changed when we met up at GDC; he opened the floodgates of information, sharing a wealth of details about the story, the content, and the new costumes. And now I can pass it all along to you. Story-wise, Andersen expressed how excited he was to finally let players in on the arc that ties up a few loose ends left dangling after DLCs 2 and 3 -- Lightning Strikes and Battle for Earth. As for content, Origin Crisis adds two new raids, two four-man operations per side, two special solo challenges (which offer the chance to play as a legendary character), a new superpower, and a new tier of PvE gear. Oh, and let's not forget the three new iconic-based suits.
Injustice: Gods Among Us footage shows alternate costumes, more facial hair
NetherRealm's barrage of Injustice: Gods Among Us footage continues unabated, with these newest clips showcasing a few of the characters' alternate costumes. We're quite fond of Pseudo-Military Superman and Realistic Armor Batman, but we're starting to lose hope for a Clean Shavin' Green Arrow.
New Batman Arkham game coming this year
A new Batman Arkham game is being released this year, although it's unknown if series developer Rocksteady Studios is behind it. The news comes courtesy of the Time Warner Q4 2012 earnings call, as posted by Yahoo! Finance."And we also have a strong games release this year, which will include the next release in the Batman Arkham franchise," said John K. Martin, Time Warner chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.Warner Bros. Interactive and Rocksteady Studios released Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009, followed by Arkham City in 2011. In that sense, a new Arkham game in 2013 adds up.According to a Variety report from last year, Rocksteady is developing another Batman game, but it's set in the Silver Age of comic history, and isn't expected to be released until 2014. Maybe Variety and Warner are talking about the same game, but it sounds like they may not be. In any case, we've reached out to Warner Bros. Interactive for more info.
Injustice: Gods Among Us fight tapes show off Bane, Harley Quinn
NetherRealm Studios and DC Comics are hosting a series of popularity contests over on the official Injustice: Gods Among Us website, pitting heroes and villains against each other in a tournament-style bracket where fan votes determine the hypothetical outcome.Sounds fun and everything, but what we're primarily interested in are the gameplay videos released once a winner has been determined, the first two of which can be found above and beyond the veil. We're not going to spoiler the outcome of either fight, obviously, but we will say that Bane's abilities look very reminiscent of Kabal's from Mortal Kombat, while Harley Quinn has more than a little bit of Mileena about her.The next round of voting starts on February 11, so we're anticipating more videos in a couple weeks.
Injustice: Gods Among Us plots Superman's ascendance
Two men are fighting in space, as is often the case. The Earth, beautiful in blue, watches through a massive window while the two brawlers scuff and smash the sleek interior of a space station. I'm rooting for Batman, but my health bar's on the wane.According to NetherRealms Studios Producer Hector Sanchez, this build of Injustice: Gods Among Us hasn't been tuned properly, so it's no surprise to see my masked nemesis, Bane, breaking my back over and over on difficulty spikes. To compensate I keep looking for an opportunity to activate Batman's special attack, in which he summons his hammerhead shark of a car to crush his opponent. Wondering how it gets up there – in space, at this hour – is a bit silly."It's a video game," says Sanchez. Everyone in the room chuckles, shaking off the perils of pondering the logistics behind a fighting game super move. That's a story on a microscopic scale compared to the one Injustice: Gods Among Us really wants to tell. %Gallery-177581%
MMO Burnout: Revisiting Gotham City Impostors
Remember that scene in 2008's The Dark Knight where those nerdling Batman-wannabes were running around in imitation capes and cowls shooting at criminals with shotguns? That's pretty much what you get when you log into Gotham City Impostors, Monolith's garish, goofy first-person shooter set against the sprawling backdrop of DC Comics' legendary mythos. And for all you MMO historians in the crowd, yes, that's the same Monolith that originally developed the late, great Matrix Online. %Gallery-174397%
Batman: Arkham City lands in Mac App Store
Perhaps the most popular Batman video game ever has now landed on the Mac App Store. Batman: Arkham City sees the Caped Crusader fight some of his worst super-villains in the heavily fortified slums-prison of Gotham City known as Arkham City. This release of Batman: Arkham City for the Mac is the Game of the Year Edition, which includes all of the downloadable content from the console editions of the game including the Harley Quinn's Revenge story mission. It also includes the Nightwing, Catwoman, Robin, Arkham City Skins and Challenge Map packs. The game itself weighs in at a whopping 10.67 GB download and has some relatively high system requirements, so make sure your Mac can handle it before buying. The minimum system requirements are: 2.0 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 256 MB graphics card, and 16 GB of free space. Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition is US$39.99 in the Mac App Store.
Batman: Arkham City finally hitting Mac this month
Originally slated to arrive last month, it looks like the Mac version of Batman: Arkham City is on track for release by the end of December. In development at Feral Interactive, the game was released on consoles and Windows in fall 2011 and recently came to Nintendo's new Wii U. Feral was responsible for porting the original Batman: Arkham Asylum to Mac last November. It has handled other high-profile conversions such as BioShock, BioShock 2 and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The Mac version of Batman: Arkham City will sell for US$40 and features all of the DLC released for other versions of the game. This means the additional Harley Quinn's Revenge side story, plus the Catwoman, Nightwing and Robin packs are included. In other Mac game news, Aspyr Media has launched Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum on the Mac App Store, Steam and its own digital storefront, GameAgent. You can get it or any other title for 25 percent off on GameAgent using the discount code GameAgent25.
