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Possible Arkham Asylum sequel names dropped in domain registrations
It appears Warner Bros. went on a little domain-shopping spree for its Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel. Domain digger Superannuation has unearthed over a dozen new registrations by the publisher that reference the Dark Knight or events in the first Arkham Asylum game. Several of the domain names suggest a range of possible "Arkham" titles for the sequel, including: Arkham City, New Arkham, Rise of Arkham and City of Arkham. There's also one domain that references Warden Sharp and his run for mayor. We've listed all the new domain names after the break.
Batman: Arkham Asylum ... the action figures!
Holy late money grab, Batman! It appears that in the June 2010 issue of Toyfare magazine will reveal a cadre of the Batman: Arkham Asylum characters in action figure form (as pointed out by Previews). Though the issue will miss the May release date of Bats' Game of the Year edition, it'll arrive on store shelves by early June. June's issue is said to feature "a sneak peek at some of 2010's hottest video games and hottest video game toys," including the Dark Knight, among others. The listing also notes that DC Direct, makers of, well, lots of other video game action figures, will apparently be tasked with putting little Bats and crew together. It probably doesn't hurt that the "DC" in DC Direct is of the DC Comics variety, owners of the Batman IP. All will be revealed on June 9, so get your Bat Credit Card at the ready, folks! [Via Big Download]
Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition coming to NA in May
Whew, that was a close one. We were really hoping to get another opportunity to purchase Batman: Arkham Asylum again, but it seemed Rocksteady and Eidos had planned to keep the game's Game of the Year edition exclusively overseas. Fortunately, it seems they've changed their minds -- an Eidos press release just confirmed that the expanded version of the game (which includes four extra challenge maps and 3D support) will be getting a stateside release. Whether you missed out on 2009's surprise superhero smash hit, or whether you were just disappointed by its lack of extra dimensions, you'll be able to get your fix when Batman GOTY ships sometime in May.
Warner Bros. acquires Batman dev Rocksteady Studios
Holy strategic acquisition, predictable Batman reference! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has announced its purchase of a majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, the developer responsible for towing Batman's star vehicle out of a muddy Gotham ditch. Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum debuted in 2009 to critical applause and has since shipped over three million copies. Jamie Walker, studio director of Rocksteady Games, expressed pride in the deal -- the cost of which has not been disclosed. "We are proud to strengthen our association with WBIE, a world class publisher that we have enjoyed working with since we began developing Batman: Arkham Asylum," he said. In addition, games director and excellent sniper position Sefton Hill noted, "The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognized Warner Bros. brands like Batman." What Warner license will Rocksteady revive next? Whatever it is, it'll have to wait until construction is completed on the unnamed Arkham Asylum sequel. [Update: Square Enix Europe (Eidos) has confirmed that it still retains a 25.1 percent stake in Rocksteady.]
More GDC talks: Yamaoka, Deus Ex 3, Arkham Asylum
The GDC organizers have just announced a few more of the Game Developers who will be Conferring at next month's event. Eidos Montreal art director Jonathan Jacques-Belletete will offer some rare info about the upcoming Deus Ex 3 in his talk, "The Successes and Failures of Creating a Near-Future Cyberpunk Setting with a Renaissance Twist in Deus Ex 3", while new Grasshopper Manufacture hire (and former Silent Hill producer and composer) Akira Yamaoka will present a retrospective of his career at Konami. Other new lectures include Rocksteady's David Hego on the art direction of Batman: Arkham Asylum and ngmoco's Neil Young on "Things to Unlearn Moving From Traditional Development to the New Digital World". GDC will take place in San Francisco from March 9-13.
Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition outed by BBFC listing
A BBFC classification for a "Game of the Year" edition of Batman: Arkham Asylum has popped up online, causing quite a stir here at Joystiq HQ. While we all agree that Batman was "a game of the year," the listing offers no clues as to what would be included in a GOTY package. So, allow us to activate detective mode: First, there are the two DLC packs for the game to consider: the "Insane Night" Map Pack (free for everyone) and "Prey In The Darkness," available on PS3 in the US and on both PS3 and Xbox 360 in Europe. Also, those who pre-ordered the original release from GameStop received access to the challenge map "Dem Bones," while those that snagged the fancy Collector's Edition got their own unique challenge map in "Crime Alley" -- both could certainly be included in a special edition re-release. Considering all the DLC out there (but c'mon, we want more Rocksteady!), there's a valid GOTY edition in the making here. And how about a batarang upgrade, too? (That cheap plastic one just didn't cut it.) We've turned on our 'stiq signal in the hopes of attracting Warner Bros., Eidos and Rocksteady for clarification. We'll let you know just as soon as they show up on our rooftop. [Thanks, C.A.]
Rocksteady: publishers fully backed Batman: Arkham Asylum delay
Boy, Rocksteady has WAY better bosses than we do. When we say we need two more months to finish a post, our higher-ups open a whole barrel of complaints: "There's no way it could take you that long to write a post," or, "It won't be anywhere near relevant anymore." We've heard them all. But when Rocksteady said it needed two more months for Batman: Arkham Asylum, pushing the release from June to August, it was apparently backed completely by the game's publishers, Eidos and Warner Bros. Speaking with Kotaku, game director Sefton Hill said the secret is to have "confidence in the game" and "be able to show that [added] time is going to be well spent." So, in closing, we'd like to tell AOL that we're confident the extra five months we're spending on that PS3 Slim rumor post you asked about will be well spent. Thank you.
Pop-Block uncovers Arkham 2 teaser's mysteries
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/20/pop-block-uncovers-arkham-2-teasers-mysteries/'; During the most recent Spike VGAs, we were treated to a teaserific Batman Arkham Asylum 2 trailer from the folks at Rocksteady Studios. Lo and behold, the teaser contained far more info that our time-constrained brains could catch during the game's unveiling -- info later picked up on by GameTrailers.com's Pop-Block (found after the break). Did you spot the Penguin's famous Iceberg Lounge around the :43 mark? How about the fact that Joker's control center resides on the upper floor of a Roman Sionis-owned (aka "Black Mask") building? And look, if you caught the black cat stalking the bedlam of the street from an overlooking catwalk (which Pop-Block postulates is a Catwoman reference), we're downright impressed. If only you could apply that kind of focus and attention to your schoolwork, young man!
VGA 2009: Rocksteady's Paul Crocker talks Batman
This past Saturday brought us the Spike TV Video Game Awards and – before experiencing the litany of world exclusives that awaited us inside – we spent some time outside cruising the red carpet and talking (briefly!) to many of the game developers and talent. We squeezed them for information as fast as we could while simultaneously wishing them holiday cheer and good tidings. Yes, it was as awkward as it sounds. Here's what we learned from Paul Crocker at Rocksteady about Batman: Arkham Asylum. So when are we getting real DLC? We can't talk about DLC, I'm afraid. [Note: with the announcement of Batman: Arkham Asylum 2, if that indeed ends up being the name for the sequel, it seems highly unlikely that we'll get any more DLC for the first game. Rats.] Well, that's not a no! What has surprised you all the most about the game since launch? Well, for us we're just really happy that people liked it. We worked really hard to do the brand justice and to try and make a good Batman game. Obviously when you're working on something like that you're really inside a bubble, and you don't know what people really think. And the reaction has been quite cool, so everyone at Rocksteady is really excited. Speaking about that reaction, how does it work for a developer on launch day? Is it like in the film industry where people get the box office numbers coming in right away? Are you getting sales figures? How do you know it's doing well? In all honesty ... we look at websites. [laughs] I mean if some website says it sold X number of copies, we don't even know if that's true. I guess we're the last to find out. But we look at the reviews and read what people are actually saying about the game. The afternoon when all the reviews went live, we were all sitting in the office and it was just really exciting. If you get an 8 out of 10, you're like "Awww, that's bad" because the other ones were 9, you know? But we were seeing scores at 9 or more and it was an interesting afternoon, and quite a nice evening at the pub.
Eidos not involved in Batman sequel, Arkham Asylum has 'almost run its course'
Noting that publisher Eidos' name was missing from the Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel's teaser trailer, we contacted Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment yesterday to ask if Eidos (Square Enix Europe) was involved with the game. A company representative informed Joystiq, "WBIE is publishing. Eidos is not involved. We are not disclosing any additional information at this time." In addition, our request to learn the sequel's actual name was not granted. Meanwhile, in an interview with PC Zone magazine (via CVG), Rocksteady Senior Gameplay Programmer Paul Denning stated that the Arkham Asylum angle for Batman has "almost run its course." He elaborated, "Gotham itself is a fantastically realized fictional city and there are so many places that would be probably be ideal for gameplay and great to explore." But don't expect Grand Theft Gotham just yet, as Denning notes that "you have to be so careful when you take that route." Especially because of all the carjackings.
Batman Arkham Asylum 2 announced at the VGAs
Before the dust settled on the beginning of this year's Video Game Awards on Spike, the first surprise announcement was the revelation that Batman: Arkham Asylum would get a sequel. Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 -- which is what we'll call it until an official title is revealed -- presumably continues where the original critically acclaimed Rocksteady title left off, and was revealed via diabolical plot from Batman's Nemesis The Joker. Attempting to gas those in attendance, Mark Hamill's threatening vocals reverberated throughout the audience revealing a sequel people "didn't expect." After smashing through sales charts and the assumptions that all licensed titles are crap, we expected nothing less. Take that, Joker! Update: Hi-res video has been added above! Also, the official site is up at arkhamhasmoved.com.
Batman: Arkham Asylum creator focused on quality over quantity, hasn't played BioShock
In a lengthy post-mortem with Gamasutra this week, Rocksteady Studios creative director Sefton Hill spoke his mind on a mess of topics regarding this summer's surprise hit, Batman: Arkham Asylum. "There are too many games out there that deliver lots of average content," Hill said when asked about the relative "tightness" of Batman in comparison with other games. Personal inspiration for the game's design came from places like Zelda and Metroid, two game series he's been a fan of "for years," as well as Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness. And though Arkham's audio logs and "environment as a character" motif hearken back to 2007's BioShock, Hill claimed he's never played it. "It's on my list of games to get back into ... I can't say for me that was a big direct influence."Truth be told, we're just scratching the surface of Gamasutra's thorough dissection of Batman -- a game we loved with all of our jaded, rancorous hearts -- so do yourself a favor and stroll through the entire five pages. Call it an afternoon treat! You deserve it, dearest Joystiq reader.%Gallery-31781%
Batman started as a rhythm-action game -- and other Arkham Asylum secrets
Well, whaddya know? It's not just an Unreal license, painstaking design and dynamic gameplay that make for a Game of the Year candidate. It also takes three cans of whipped cream, 14 nationalities, 44,674 polygons (in one plant!), 314 breakable TVs, and six babies. That's right. If you're looking to crack Rocksteady Studio's formula for success, GameInformer has squeezed out a few of Batman: Arkham Asylum's most intimate secrets.No, we're not talking solutions to Riddler's challenges or tips for combating fear toxin (hint: just breathe), but rather insight into key development ingredients; like what sports team had the most support from the staff? (Answer: Arsenal Football Club.) And did you know? The game's combat morphed from a rhythm-action game to a 2D prototype that "involved colored circles bashing into each other" before it was revised into its final design.To think: We were this close to another horrendous Batman game ...
Guitar Hero 5 goes straight to the top of the UK charts
Guitar Hero 5, which is like the tenth (give or take a couple) installment in the series, has resonated with UK consumers and hit a high note atop the Chart Track all-formats chart. The Dark Knight of Arkham Asylum -- who was perched above the charts for two weeks -- slipped off the top to the number three spot, with Colin McRae: Dirt 2 taking the silver. The Beatles: Rock Band premiered at the number four spot, which some are sure to find disappointing. Both Guitar Hero and Rock Band have previously debuted at the fourth and sixth spot, respectively, with previous iterations. Music games may be on a sales decline, but they apparently still know how to make an entrance. Source -- Guitar Hero 5 hits the right notes (Chart Track) Source -- All formats chart (Chart Track) %Gallery-63471%
Branching Dialogue: Tales of Bat-Mania (or: Why Arkham Asylum is an RPG)
Presenting Branching Dialogue, a weekly, wordy and often worryingly pedantic discussion of video game genres, trends and err ... stuff I didn't think to put in this introductory line. One of the most irritating outcomes of role playing, often exhibited in games far removed from that genre, is when you're forced to play dumb. You'll recognize the phenomenon as the shimmering, insultingly obvious trapdoor that must be trampled in order to trigger the next cutscene or event. You may have outsmarted the game by spotting a literal hole in the plot, but the inflexible narrative can only reward those who blindly play the role -- the role usually being that of a flustered Admiral Ackbar.It's even worse when you're supposed to be Batman. After using one of Arkham Asylum's most integral tools to spot a gang of goons lying in ambush, I was thoroughly annoyed when there seemed to be no alternative route toward the next objective and no acknowledgment of my foresight. I had to knowingly steer the world's greatest detective into a trap -- and he didn't even flinch. Only moments later did I realize that Batman was the one setting the trap, his calm demeanor hiding more intelligence than inattentiveness. In fact, had I not thought to use the all-seeing detective vision, Batman would have likely outsmarted me. And I'm the player, dammit. Though applying a simple label to a complex work such as Batman: Arkham Asylum is unnecessary, it's useful in exploring why the developers at Rocksteady Studios are not only the first to make a genuinely good Batman game, but the first to actually ... make a Batman game. If I have to call it something (outside of "awesome," which I'm sure you're all sick of hearing), I'd call it a role-playing game. And not just because of the turn-based combat and unskippable summon animations!
Eidos investigating 'bad' Batman collector's edition DLC codes
PS3 owners who scooped up the formidable Batman: Arkham Asylum collector's edition are going a bit batty on the game's official forum due to seemingly botched DLC codes. The codes, included only with the CE, enable two challenge map downloads -- but, so far, have only unlocked ire. Not to fear, as Eidos community reps are asking for the spurned downloaders' codes so that they can be "passed on and investigated." The publisher is definitely on the case, although there's no clear ETA for a fix. We suggest bookmarking the thread if you're having problems, as it seems to be a source of frequent updates. We also suggest that you don't think of doing anything crazy with that replica Batarang. They're just DLC codes, folks. It'll be OK.
Happy Batman Day! 'New free downloadable content coming soon!'
It's August 25th! And you know what that means: it's Batman Day here in North America. No doubt, most of you on the East Coast in the U S of A are probably reading this having just returned from Toys 'R' Us, where you nabbed Batman: Arkham Asylum and a $30 gift card. For our Canadian counterparts, you've no doubt already snagged one of those abnormally discounted $40 copies. But, the reviews are in and Arkham Asylum is far from discount shovelware. Even though they're about to give some DLC away for free ... Yeah, that caught us off guard as well. In some bizarre inversion of the normal game publisher / consumer relationship, Eidos and WBIE are keen on not only selling as many units of Batman: Arkham Asylum as possible but – having given away the razor – they want to give the blade away as well. The loading screen's "infocast" bar declares: "New free downloadable content coming soon!" No word on what this DLC is (more challenge rooms or new story sections?) but if you were on the asylum fence, this might be just the push you need to topple over into Arkham.
Canadians get Batman: Arkham Asylum for $40 at multiple retailers
Last week Xbox Live users in Canada noticed a Walmart advertisement on the Xbox 360 dashboard pricing Batman: Arkham Asylum at $38.83 for its first three days of release, this week the deal has extended to nearly every other retailer. Best Buy and Futureshop are now price matching Walmart's original promotion, selling the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Batman's latest crusade for $38.83. EB Games -- a company not known for sale price matching -- is also getting in on the action, offering the game for $39.99 $38.89 during its first day of release.If our review is any indication, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a must buy, and at $40, Canadians officially have no excuse. Not even all that August snow should get in your way.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Review: Batman: Arkham Asylum
Hyperbole can be venomous to a review's credibility. Any insightful merit which a video game critique may possess seemingly goes out the window as soon as the reviewer starts dropping bombs like "best game ever" or "literally mindblowing" or "it will birth you anew in its magnificence." Perhaps it is because we've all heard these phrases -- save for that last one -- so many times that they've lost their currency with us. Rest assured, I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that Batman: Arkham Asylum is unquestionably the best licensed game I've ever played. At the end of the day, however, that's a fairly low hurdle to clear -- it better reflects the game's quality to say it's one of the best stealth-action games ever made, and easily the best video game 2009 has had to offer thus far. %Gallery-31781%
Rocksteady 'not involved' in the development of Hitman 5
Despite the recently discovered resume indicating that Batman: Arkham Asylum developer Rocksteady Studios may be working on a game titled Hitman5 (yes, without a space), Eidos "Life President" Ian Livingstone flat out denies the possibility. Talking to Prey's World Gaming Magazine, Livingstone said, "Hitman always has been and always will be IO Interactive's baby, which it still continues to be so." Worried about miswording in that? He followed up with, "Rocksteady are not involved with the development of Hitman 5." All that said, we do know that some version of Hitman is on the way, as Livingstone has confirmed as such in the past and Rocksteady is currently hiring a few positions to produce a "AAA titile on the next generation platforms." It appears as though the two are unrelated though, at least for now. Meanwhile, IO Interactive is currently wrapping up development of Mini Ninjas for a September release -- and then the studio can get to work on the next Hitman game in earnest, eh? (Please?)[Via Blue's News]
