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Mark Hamill's Joker confirmed in Batman: Arkham Asylum
If you're reading this blog, chances are you've spent at least a few afternoons taking in Batman: The Animated Series. If so, you probably have some fond memories of Mark Hamill's portrayal of the caped crusader's nemesis, the Joker. Rejoice, Joker fans, as Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive have confirmed to Joystiq that Hamill will be reprising his role as the Joker in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum. Also joining the voice cast will be Kevin Conroy, who has voiced Batman in just about every Batman cartoon under the sun. Now let's just hope the rest of the game is up to snuff.
Time Warner buys 10 million Eidos shares, holds 20% of stock
Time Warner Entertainment has stepped out from the cacophonous acquisition noise surrounding Eidos by purchasing 10 million shares in the company. Reuters reports that Warner now holds about 20% of Eidos' stock.Rumors regarding Time Warner's intent to purchase the struggling publisher have been swirling for months with everyone from EA to Ubisoft listed as potential suitors. With all the names in the story, it appears Take-Two is the only major publisher not mentioned in recent reports as being interested in purchasing Eidos and controlling its many notable franchises.Note: Time Warner owns AOL, which owns us. So, if Eidos gets purchased by TW, they'll be our distant third-cousin, twice removed ... who was adopted ... as an adult.
Video: Meet the crazies of Batman: Arkham Asylum
Embedded above is a newly released trailer for Batman: Arkham Asylum and, just as one could expect from the game's title, there are quite a few crazies running amok. The Joker seems as deranged as ever, Batman looks to be stressed, there's an overly large (possibly steroid fueled), chain wielding baddie on the loose and well, everything is rather gloomy. Actually, the game doesn't look too bad. Non-video game related pro-tip: Go buy The Dark Knight.
MCV: Square Enix considering Eidos acquisition; Warner's still in it
Honestly, we're starting to lose track. In what we can only imagine is routine for its flagship heroine, Lady Croft, Eidos (née SCi) is being courted by a gaggle of interested suitors, ranging from the longtime admirer Warner Bros. Interactive, to recent newcomers EA and Ubisoft, and now ... Square Enix?MCV reports the Japanese gaming giant is looking more to the West than ever, not only starting Square Enix LA – a new US-based studio – but also considering an acquisition of Eidos to rival current acquisition front-runner WBIE. While MCV's anonymous source thinks "Warner's [acquisition bid] will still win" MCV speculates that "Square Enix could opt to buy single assets – perhaps just IO and the Hitman brand," whom SE president Yoichi Wada "has already visited." Let's just hope that whoever acquires Eidos and all of her assets takes good care of them. It's not just Lara and Hitman ... we've got Deus Ex 3 to consider, you know.
Video tour of Batman: Arkham Asylum's ... Arkham Asylum
This new video of Eidos and Rocksteady Studios' Batman: Arkham Asylum is heavy on the Arkham Asylum and, well, totally bat-free. Rather than some intense combat between the Caped Crusader and his rogues gallery, the game's publisher decided it would be more interesting to show off the game's environments. We'll give Eidos credit: it does look rather nice (and creepy).If you're the sort that's into actual gameplay, you can always take a gander at our gallery of in-game shots below. And no, we didn't mistakenly link to screens of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher's Bay, so you can delete the draft of that correction email you were working on. Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum
First Batman: Arkham Asylum trailer
You know, given the apparent state of Arkham Asylum, it's no wonder that Gotham City's criminals are complete wack-jobs. Honestly, considering the utter disrepair of Gotham's premiere mental health facility, is it any wonder that its patients are never properly rehabilitated? Just look at it. It looks like something out of Silent Hill. Hardly the kind of place that promotes a sense of mental well-being. Oh, and the asylum also serves as the setting for Eidos' upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum, in which the criminally insane trap the caped crusader inside Arkham's hellish walls. Or something like that. Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum
Terminator Salvation - The Videogame - The News Post
In an unprecedented but inevitably lucrative move, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to distribute "a third-person action game" alongside upcoming Hollywood bot buster Terminator Salvation. Released in cahoots with Equity Games Production and Halcyon Games, and developed by GRIN Studios (the Bionic Commando guys), Terminator Salvation - The Videogame promises to push the envelope with "action packed gameplay and detailed environments." Terminator fans may initiate Salivation at the thought of controlling central franchise character John Connor, as he engages in "concentrated armed combat" against enemies from the post-apocalyptic film, as well as new opponents assembled specifically for the game. Robot bats, maybe. Cos Lazouras, President of Halcyon Games, notes that the adaptation will feature "an incredibly fluid and realistic control set," all the better to steer your way through "a fully interactive Terminator experience." Take that, partially interactive Terminator experiences of yore! As you might expect, it'll be out alongside the film, which opens nationwide on May 22, 2009.
Joystiq impressions: Tomb Raider Underworld
Inspiration seems to be cyclical in the games industry. Well, at least in the case of Tomb Raider Underworld. Many of the improvements we saw in the latest preview of the upcoming Lara Croft adventure seem to come directly from last year's Tomb Raider-inspired Uncharted. Considering the wide accolades Naughty Dog's title received, that's certainly not a bad thing.There are a lot of elements which make us think back to Nathan Drake's quest for treasure. Perhaps it's the environment: the lush jungles of Thailand, with their deserted, decaying ruins reminding us of that other lush, ruin-filled jungle. But there are other similarities to note here, as well. Crystal Dynamics' creative director, Eric Lindstrom, told us that the team was trying to make Lara more human in regards to her abilities. She'll interact with the environment, by pushing foliage out of the way. She'll stumble when she makes large jumps. For the first time, Crystal Dynamics is working with motion capture, to make sure Lara feels a bit more believable.We've heard this pitch before, no? Lara will be holding off ledges, and she'll look towards the direction of a place she can grab on to. We saw Lara jump from one pillar to another, but before jumping, she reached out her arm towards the next pillar to indicate the potential action. Then we saw her approach a narrow walkway, cautiously, lifting her arms for balance as she crossed. We watched her stumble a bit too, struggling to make her next jump.%Gallery-32983%
Eidos releases new Batman Arkham Asylum screens
Click for higher resolution We don't blame you if you forgot about the recent announcement of Batman Arkham Asylum. A lot's happened since then. Eidos is keen to keep the game fresh in your mind, however, and has released a batch of new screen shots to do just that. These shots show gameplay and art from the game, as most screenshots tend to do, including B-man himself alongside the Joker and some very moody images of the eponymous Arkham Asylum. If you're excited for this 2009 title then be sure to jump into our gallery and saturate your eyeballs in picturey goodness. %Gallery-31778%
Batman: Arkham Asylum screens lose exclusive edge
Some of you have seen these before, now buried in a pile of damp, wrinkly magazines stacked next to the john. Others capitalized on the brief window of opportunity that afforded speedy clicksters a glimpse at Game Informer's "world exclusive" Batman: Arkham Asylum images before Warner Bros. had 'em yanked from (most) corners of the internet. Today, the rest of us can finally be in on the experience. So go ahead, browse the gallery below -- and by all means, take your time. %Gallery-31781%
Picture it: Batman Arkham Asylum [update]
Vin Diesel vs. The Batman? If we didn't know better, we'd have mistaken the first Batman Arkham Asylum screens for the spiffy new chapter in the Chronicles of Riddick remake. (After all, Bats has tangoed with Aliens and Predator -- so why not the Alpha Furyan?) But we digress. Rocksteady Studios eagerly released the "WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE Game Informer screens" on its website, but then realized, uh, they're exclusive, and promptly pulled them. Unfortunately, erasing an internet blunder is never as easy as refreshing the page, and the images have spread to new hosts. Hellooo NeoGAF! [Argh, pulled! ... CVG has 'em.]Update: Warner Bros. Interactive is making the rounds this afternoon, trying to bottle up the pesky genie that escaped earlier today. "The images of Batman Arkham Asylum that Rocksteady posted on their website were done in error," a representative has explained to Joystiq. In turn, we have complied with the company's request to remove any screenshots from this post and will surely not remind you that the images in question are still floating around the internet, maybe even locatable through links posted in the comments section...
Eidos announces Batman: Arkham Asylum
Eidos has announced a partnership with Warner Bros to bring Batman back to consoles in 2009. Batman: Arkham Asylum is being developed by RockSteady Studios and begins with the eponymous hero escorting The Joker to the also-quite-eponymous Arkham Asylum where, allegedly, "an immersive combat gaming experience unfolds." The game will be available at some point in 2009 for the PS3, 360 and PC and, other than a load of superlative-laden PR talk, there are no real details of how the game will play. Just know that Batman, The Joker and "Gotham's worst villains" will all be present and you will have to use Batman's "intuitive detective skills and aggressive melee attacks."
Confirmed: Arkham Asylum not coming to Wii
Sorry folks, looks like the new game Batman: Arkham Asylum isn't going to be on Wii. It's purely a PS3 and Xbox 360 affair, as well as for the PC. Sorry to crush your hopes and dreams (we felt you needed the closure of knowing, rather than never mentioning the game again), but the title isn't planned for Wii as of right now. That doesn't mean we can't hold out hope that the game will one day be ported to Nintendo's console. Just don't hold your breath on that one. [Via press release]
Eidos makes Batman: Arkham Asylum official
Eidos has made Batman: Arkham Asylum all official, confirming the earlier revealed Rocksteady Studios-developed trip to Gotham City. Calling the game a "haunting, action detective game," Eidos notes that it and Warner Bros. will publish the action adventure title globally for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC in 2009.According to Eidos, the game's story, penned by Batman Beyond's Paul Dini, will center on a trap set by Arkham Asylum inmates for Batman as he delivers Joker to the infamous prison. While much of the thunder of Eidos' announcement was taken by the dynamic duo of Game Informer and NeoGAF yesterday, Warner Bros. Interactive president Martin Tremblay calls the game both "graphically distinct" and "incredibly dark," as players hunt down and do battle with Gotham's worst. We look forward to additional details about Batman: Arkham Asylum as they become available, and have tossed a batarang in Eidos' direction for more.
Batman: Arkham Asylum announced, possibly for Wii?
With The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger's stellar performance as the Joker still fresh in everyone's mind, who doesn't want to play a new, non-sucky Batman game? Of course, we have LEGO Batman to look forward to, but it's hard to feel like the Gotham bad-ass when you're controlling a plastic and deformed minifigure. The upcoming issue of Game Informer, due August 18th, has the scoop on publisher Eidos Interactive's forthcoming game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and though it hasn't yet been revealed which consoles the title will appear on, we have hopes that one of those systems will be the Wii. Though the game's developer, London-based Rocksteady Studios (Urban Chaos: Riot Response), hasn't yet released anything for the Wii, its founders did have a hand in creating Catwoman: The Game for the GameCube -- that has to count for something, right? According to Game Informer, Batman: Arkham Asylum is an original title following a botched prison transfer which the Joker uses to his advantage, turning the psychiatric hospital's worst patients and Batman's worst enemies against the caped crusader. The game will feature "a dark and gritty setting reminiscent of Bioshock" and a story co-written by Paul Dini, who you'll recognize from his work on Batman: The Animated Series. Jump past the post break for an alternate cover of the GI issue with the Joker!
Traveller's Tales assembling more Warner Bros. LEGO titles
Speaking with Variety, Traveller's Tales president Jon Burton revealed that his company – which created LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Indiana Jones, and the upcoming LEGO Batman – is working on more block-tastic titles based on Warner Bros. IPs. "We've gotten started doing some LEGO games on the Warner IP," Burton confirms, stating that they are "down the line." That's games plural. In the piece, Burton is also quoted as saying: "To be able to dabble around in CG and film would be interesting," and that, "Warner allows me to push in those directions without 'quitting the day job,' so to speak." We reckon that games based on movies are definitely one way to fulfill that interest, but which WB properties (other than the Caped Crusader) could be LEGO-worthy? We'd be interested in seeing how Traveller's Tales would tackle such anticipated Warner projects as Watchmen, Terminator Salvation, and Superman: Man of Steel. Let's just hope it passes on The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2. Which Warner flicks would you like to see LEGO-fied?
Man-Bat is one ugly LEGO villain
Those of you who've seen The Dark Knight probably still have Batman in your systems, so hopefully news on the superhero in LEGO form is enough to sate your batty cravings. Warner Bros. is certainly trying to indulge in your wants by revealing more news about the upcoming LEGO Batman video game. Today, the company brings word of a new villain, one that Batman fans will be familiar with -- Man-Bat. Man-Bat is actually a scientist named Kirk Langstrom, who injected himself with a bat-based serum in order to gain sonar powers and aid his worsening deafness. Obviously, bad results ensue, and he turns into a bat-looking monster that attacks Gotham City. Fun!For some Man-Bat related screens, just click on our gallery below.%Gallery-13236%[Via press release]
Zero Punctuation whips it good with Lego Indy
Zero Punctuation's Yahtzee takes on both the Lego Indiana Jones game and the latest movie in his latest review. For his take on the game, the ornery critic comes up with an equation for figuring out how much you'll enjoy playing as Indy in the blockified platformer. If doing mathematicals isn't your thing, just think about how much fun you'll have killing Short Round -- or Willie -- over and over again. Although it still doesn't beat the cathartic Jar-Jar killing of the Lego Star Wars game. This week's NSFW ZP review of Lego Indy can be found after the break.
Metareview -- Lego Indiana Jones
He's uncovered the fate of Atlantis, bested an infernal machine and rummaged through an emperor's tomb, but everybody's favorite Nazi-punching archaeologist faces his greatest challenge in a world made entirely out of toy blocks. Lego Indiana Jones has arrived to fairly favorable reviews, with most critics approving of the game's silent, comedic send-up of classic movie moments. If you're not the only kid in the house and enjoy collecting lots and lots and lots of things, you could do worse than tossing the developer your idle cash. IGN (80/100): "Traveller's Tales has once again delivered an experience that boils down to smashing stuff over and over again while searching for secrets, while also managing to make that formula fun and addictive. It's certainly not a huge leap over the LEGO Star Wars titles, and in fact still has some of that series' issues, but it's no less enthralling and certainly a fun adventure worth taking on." 1UP (75/100): "Lego Indy's main quest isn't terribly expansive -- you can finish it in a weekend, and that's if you take your time -- but the game's unquestionably built for completists, with a ton of hidden treasure and extra characters (you can unlock pretty much every character in the films, right down to Last Crusade's castle butler). It's easy to dismiss as kids' fare, but Lego Indiana Jones is a light, enjoyable action game, especially if you've got a willing friend for co-op play." Eurogamer (70/100): "This is all starting to sound a bit grinchy, so at this point I feel I should point out that my five-year-old son, who helped me with the hands on preview, is currently at 99.7 percent completion on our second save game with just one character left to unlock. He's certainly commented on the absence of familiar features, and seems less enthused about collecting billions of LEGO studs now that there's not as much to spend them on, but he's still been happily replaying his favourite levels over and over, just as he did with Star Wars." [Note: Listed reviews are for the Xbox 360 version. The game is also available on PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP, PC and DS.]
Lego Indiana Jones demo now available for PC
With early buzz for the new Indiana Jones movie being wishy-washy, fans may need to find solace in playing the Lego Indiana Jones game on June 3rd. The PC demo is now available for download and should also be packaged with the Indiana Jones DVDs coming out today. No word yet on console demos for Xbox 360 or PS3, but we've got some calls out for info. We can't imagine there'd only be a demo for PC. Clearly, somebody from marketing would've "chosen poorly" if that were the case.
