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A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Rounding up May's superhero news
Today marks the start of a new format for A Mild-Mannered Reporter, but it's a natural segue because this is what I'd be doing anyway. Yes, it's time for a roundup of news, and over the past month, most of the news has been about two superheroic games hitting the "action" button until it falls off. It's all about Marvel Heroes and Infinite Crisis, in other words. Not that these are the only two games that have been doing things, mind you. Both Champions Online and DC Universe Online have brought out some new content, although the volume differs. But the biggest waves are being made by games emphasizing the punching of villains with extreme prejudice. Or the punching of heroes; it's a fine line. The point is that there is no finer time to round up superhero news, especially with the return of ComicsAlliance. So let's move on to the roundup, taking it point by point.
Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition konfirmed for PC in July
The Komplete Edition of the 2011 Mortal Kombat finishes Windows PC this summer, with the digital distributed fatality pinned for July 3. Retail annihilation is due a month later, so duck and cover on August 2 in Europe, and on August 6 in North America. As per the version released for consoles last year, Komplete Edition features all the game's DLC, with the expanded roster including a certain Freddy Kreuger (the regular creepy kind), Kenshi, Scarlet, and Rain. Conduit and Kinect Star Wars developer High Voltage Games, who've just released the "addictive" puzzler Zoombies for iOS, is handling the PC port. %Gallery-189225%
Batman: Arkham Origins challenge mode has a Deathstroke
A leaked pre-order image tipped us off yesterday and the press release past the break confirms it: Deathstroke is a playable character in Batman Arkham Origins. He'll be unlocked in the game's challenge mode, and all who plunk down cash early will enjoy some exclusive maps and character skins associated with him. Deathstroke is seemingly a leading man in the video game world now, with Batman: Arkham Origins his second role of the year after Injustice: Gods Among Us in April. His real name is Slade Wilson, a mercenary and assassin created by teenage cartoonist Gary Wilson in 1980.
Batman: Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Troy Baker as Joker
Warner Bros. revealed Batman: Arkham Origins is fronted by two of gaming's most prominent voice actors. Roger Craig Smith is confirmed as the caped crusader, and Troy Baker is his nemesis, the Joker. If you don't recognize the names, you'll definitely recognize their previous work. Craig Smith's immense portfolio includes Ezio Auditore from Assassin's Creed, Chris Redfield from Resident Evil, and he's the current voice of Sonic. While he's never starred in anything Batman related, he does have superhero experience. It is for the other side, however; he's played Captain America in both games and animations. Baker is similarly prolific. While he recently graced our screens as Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite, his past work includes Sgt. Matt Baker in Gearbox's Brothers in Arms, Snow from the Final Fantasy 13 line, Kai Leng from Mass Effect 3, and Vincent from Catherine. When we profiled Baker around this time last year, he shared his love for all things Batman on the back of starring in Arkham City. "Being a part of Arkham City was just incredible - because I'm a huge Batman fan," Baker told us, "And to play Two-Face and Robin after growing up watching The Animated Series was a banner moment for me." The news follows apparent confirmation long-time Batman vocalist Kevin Conroy does star in Origins, but how he features remains to be seen. We know Origins deals with Batman's "initiation into that insane world" of the other Arkham games, so perhaps Conroy's role is something retrospective. Even if Conroy doesn't play the dark knight in any sense in Origins, to fans he's still the goddamn Batman. Bat-click here to check out our preview and the new trailer.
Arkham Origins tease features Deathstroke ballet
This Batman: Arkham Origins tease features no gameplay, no real concept of how the game will differ from the excellent Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. What it does feature is grizzled Batman in a CGI fight ballet with Deathstroke, and that's good enough for this morning.
Infinite Crisis celebrates closed beta with The Joker
Turbine's Infinite Crisis is launching into closed beta today, and to help celebrate, the team has released a new Champion Profile to spotlight The Joker's involvement in the highly anticipated DC Comics-based MOBA. We've seen everyone from Cesar Romero to Heath Ledger play the part of The Joker, but that evil grin is always there to remind us of just how warped this character really is. In the game, The Joker is equipped with explosive dolls and boxing glove-adorned rocket launchers to keep you on your toes. Be sure to check out the highlight video featuring The Joker just after the jump, and sign up for closed beta if you haven't already. [Source: Warner Brothers press release]
Report: Batman Arkham Origins doesn't feature voice actor Kevin Conroy
Batman mainstay Kevin Conroy is reportedly not voicing the caped crusader in Arkham Origins. According to South African magazine NAG, Warner Bros. Montreal passed on Conroy, who played Batman in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, as well as most of the hero's animated adventures across the last 20 years. NAG says the developer wanted another actor to portray Origins' younger version of the dark knight.The report adds up with WBG Montreal's approach to the upcoming prequel. In a Game Informer interview, DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns explained Origins is about "Batman's initiation into that insane world" of the other Arkham games."It's called Arkham Origins and it really is the introduction of what Arkham means," Johns told Game Informer. "Arkham evokes a sense of insanity and chaos embodied in the twisted minds and colorful villains of the Batman universe. That had to start somewhere."As revealed earlier this month, Batman: Arkham Origins swings onto retail shelves this year; the bat-time is October 25, and the bat-channels are PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC. Companion game Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate drops onto the Vita and 3DS on the same day.
Injustice: Gods Among Us prevails in this week's UK charts
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's this week's UK charts! Oh.But no, it is exciting, because BioShock Infinite's three week reign of terror is finally over, all thanks to the brave efforts of Injustice: Gods Among Us. NetherRealm's superhero brawler becomes the ninth new game to take the UK top spot this year, and ousts Infinite into the runner-up position for the first time.That means another run comes to an end; Tomb Raider's six week run in the top two is done, although it's still going strong in fourth. Beating it to an impressive third is new release Fire Emblem: Awakening, the 3DS RPG looking to continue the series-best sales it posted in North America. One thing Europe got that North America didn't was the game's snazzy blue 3DS XL, and that seems to be a hit in the UK; 31 percent of the XL's sales this week came from the bundle, boosting the XL's sales by nearly half over the previous week.
Injustice: Gods Among Us Wii U doesn't support iOS app
The Wii U version of Injustice: Gods Among Us doesn't support the iOS companion app. After receiving a copy from Warner Bros., Siliconera couldn't sync up the Wii U game with the iOS app and confirmed with Warner Bros. that the functionality is not present.The Injustice iOS app launched in April and is available as a free download, a hybrid fighter and collectible card game that allows players to unlock content in the console version of Injustice: Gods Among Us and vice versa. The Wii U version of Injustice: Gods Among Us displays a move list on the WiiPad while you play and also allows players to move the action from the TV to the WiiPad through off-TV play.
Lego Batman 2 Wii U listed for May 21 launch at retail
While we knew Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was due to hit Wii U this Spring, we didn't get word on the game's official release date until now. According to listings on Amazon, GameStop and Best Buy, the game will debut on the Nintendo home console on May 21. We called GameStop and verified its listing.The Wii U version will feature enhanced maps and off-screen play using the Game Pad's touchscreen. Oh, and Batman. He's in the game too.
Lego Legends of Chima screens show Laval's journey
These screens for Lego Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey offer a taste of the action in the totally original adventure from Warner and TT Games. The game will be coming to 3DS and Vita this Summer and to DS this Fall.
Lego Batman 2 bat-coming to Wii U this bat-spring
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is coming to the Wii U, bringing its frivolous mix of caped crusaders and block building to the Nintendo console worldwide this spring. Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive announced the news today, revealing the Wii U version will support off-TV mode in both single-player and co-op, although players can employ the GamePad to access an "enhanced" map and touch-based character selection.The news also completes the game's console collection, having already released for DS, 3DS, Vita, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii, as well as PC and Mac. So when the PS4 comes around, we'll know what to expect, hmm? Or not... we don't know, really.Warner Bros. also revealed the superhero sequel is up to 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, which, while impressive, is a fair ways behind the 11 million the original Lego Batman sold.
Scribblenauts Unlimited reaches Europe today on PC
Those ever-so patient Europeans can finally get their hands on Scribblenauts Unlimited when the game is released on Steam later today. 5th Cell's puzzler was initially expected in Europe on Wii U, 3DS, and PC in November, but was then pushed back to February. While the Nintendo versions endured a last-minute delay last week, Warner Bros. Interactive confirmed the PC version unlocks on Steam today at 6PM Brit-time.The Nintendo releases are still without an ETA, although a few lucky so-and-sos nabbed the Wii U version when it accidentally launched on the eShop.
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.
Scribblenauts Unlimited pops up on European Wii U eShop despite delay [update: and it's gone]
Update 1: Soon after this story was posted, Scribblenauts Unlimited was taken off the eShop. We've not yet heard from Nintendo, but it looks like the eShop launch was a gaffe.Update 2: Nintendo sent us the following statement: "Scribblenauts Unlimited for Wii U which was recently delayed for Europe was made available today to download on the Nintendo eShop for a short period of time. This title has now been removed from the Nintendo eShop. We are very sorry for any confusion this may have caused and we hope to make further announcements on the European launch of these games very soon." Here's a curious one: Scribblenauts Unlimited is now available on Europe's Wii U eShop, despite Nintendo officially delaying the game's arrival in the continent earlier this week. As spotted on NeoGAF and verified by us, the game is listed on the console's online shop for purchase and download, priced £49.99/€59.99.There are a few things odd about this. For one, the same can't be said for the 3DS version, which isn't on the handheld's eShop. Secondly, Nintendo's statement from earlier in the week made it clear that changes needed to be made within the game before it could be launched in Europe. Thirdly, if the Wii U eShop launch is intended - and given that Unlimited doesn't appear on the portal's main page and has to be searched for to be found, it may well not be - why is the game available online but not in physical form?All in all, this underlines what's been a bewildering approach to bringing Unlimited to Nintendo systems in Europe. The 3DS and Wii U games launched in other regions around the Wii U's launch, and were expected to in Europe until, at the last minute, they were given a 2013 window. Then, just three days ahead of their listed releases today, publisher Nintendo announced a delay, leaving Europeans waiting for the games once more.We've reached out to Nintendo for comment.
UK gets Injustice: Gods Among Us Special Edition with Red Son DLC
Our UK friends get a Special Edition of Injustice: Gods Among Us for Xbox 360 and PS3 when it launches April 19. The Special Edition version comes with an exclusive "Steelbook" and the Red Son DLC pack.The packed-in DLC includes 20 missions set in the Red Son timeline and three character skins for Superman, Wonder Woman and Solomon Grunday. North American players have their own limited edition options, as Injustice: Gods Among Us also has Collector's Edition and Battle Edition versions. %Gallery-177883%
Injustice: Gods Among Us hits April 16, Battle Edition revealed
Injustice: Gods Among Us thwacks retail shelves in North America on April 16. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment previously announced an April window, but today it confirmed the release date for Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U, along with the reveal of the Battle Edition.The Battle Edition, not to be confused with the already revealed Collector's Edition, costs $149.99, and PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are coming to GameStop and EB Games stores in the US and Canada, although it's also been confirmed for Wii U. [Update: Warner Bros. says the Wii U confirmation in its press release was an error.]. The big inclusion, as you can see above, is the special fight stick controller, along with three DLC skins of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman as they are in DC Comics' The New 52 revamp. Among other features, the fightstick offers "adjustable illumination" for the joystick and buttons, just in case you're picky about how your controllers light up.%Gallery-176365%
Judge denies THQ's plan for a quick sale as Warner Bros., others show interest
Earlier this week, the various organizations to which THQ owes giant piles of money filed an objection, claiming that the developer/publisher's bankruptcy plan for a quick sale to Clearlake Capital Group was designed to minimize harm to its staff and leadership, rather than maximize its ability to pay back its debt obligations. As is the way with these sorts of things, a hearing was held yesterday to get the situation sorted, during which U.S. bankruptcy judge Mary F. Walrath concluded that THQ's plan does not allow enough time for interested parties other than Clearlake Capital Group to get properly involved in the process. Therefore, the plan is rejected. "I am not convinced that we are under the gun to have a sale process by the 15th," Walrath said during the hearing, according to Business Week. Another hearing has been scheduled for Monday, January 7. "In the meantime I think the parties need to talk."Meanwhile, five companies are in the process of due diligence, Centerview Partners banker Sam Greene testified during the hearing. Warner Bros. lawyer Howard J. Weg was also in attendance, saying that WB would be interested in further exploring THQ's available assets, should the sales period be extended.Buying up franchises from bankrupt developers is nothing new for Warner Bros., and considering how well Mortal Kombat turned out, it may not be a terrible development, should it come to pass. Imagine, for instance, a Saints Row game developed by RockSteady, or a Darksiders fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios. Worse things have happened.
'Lego: Legends of Chima' builds a new world across three games
The next Lego game from Warner and TT Games is Lego: Legends of Chima. No, you didn't miss out on some hit cartoon or established franchise that's being adapted into a Lego game; this is a new original property, tying into a new collection of Lego toys about a "land inhabited by different magical animal tribes."Legends of Chima's video game branch actually comprises three games. Lego Legends of Chima: Speedorz is a "racing mini-game" that will be available today on Lego.com and tomorrow on iOS. Lego Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey, coming to 3DS and Vita in the summer and DS in the fall, is an "amazing adventure" starring the warrior Laval, who is basically Lion-O from the Thundercats.Lego Legends of Chima Online is the most ambitious of the three games, a free-to-play "online world" from WB Montreal that lets players build weapons and structures, and interact with the Chima characters in missions. It's due this fall.
Deathstroke carves himself into the Injustice: Gods Among Us roster
Slade Wilson is a mercenary and assassin (and hater of teenagers) in the DC Comics world known as Deathstroke – and now he's the latest brawler to throw down in NetherRealm's Injustice: Gods Among Us. Keen observers will remember he also made an appearance in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe.Deathstroke likes guns and has a steel sword for close-quarter combos, evidenced in the video above. Plus, he's kinda got this whole Two-Face thing going on with his mask, but we're sure Batman accidentally punched him like eight times so he must know already.
