As a long-time fan of the Arkham series, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about the future of Batman games. Having grown up with these iconic titles, I’ve witnessed firsthand the magic that Rocksteady wove within Gotham City. The fluid combat, atmospheric setting, and unforgettable voice acting have left an indelible mark on me, as they have on countless other gamers.
The world demands a new single player Batman game. It’s been nine years since Arkham Knight, the last entry in Rocksteady’s storied series, and after the disastrous Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and promising yet ultimately underwhelming Gotham Knights from WB Games Montreal there’s nothing else that’ll bring fans back to arguably DC’s greatest superhero (sorry, Superman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, et al) than another Arkham game.
Hold on just a moment, let me clarify something interesting – another Arkham game titled “Arkham Shadow” is due out soon! This one hails from developer Camouflaj and is set to release in Autumn 2024. From what we’ve seen so far, it promises a gripping return to the crime-ridden streets and dark underworld of Gotham City. It will retain the intense combat that was a hallmark of Rocksteady’s trilogy, while bringing back beloved characters like Harvey Dent, Jim Gordon, Scarecrow, Harley Quinn, and even introducing the underused villain Ratcatcher. In place of the late Kevin Conroy, Roger Craig Smith will provide the voice acting – a talent we know well from Arkham Origins. With all these elements in place, it seems poised to deliver another delicious serving of Arkham goodness. However, there’s one important detail to consider – Arkham Shadow will only be available on VR platforms.
Currently, VR games like “Arkham Shadow” aren’t commonplace. The creators of “Arkham Shadow”, Camouflaj, aim to preserve the distinctive dark ambiance established by Rocksteady for Batman. However, it’s important to acknowledge that VR gaming remains a specialized market.
Critics and diehard Arkham fans alike have expressed disappointment with Arkham Shadows, a sentiment summed up by the question: “Do WB Games not value their fanbase?” Despite the game’s appeal, its audience is admittedly limited. If it were a console game, fans would be ecstatic. But it isn’t. The only thing that could quench the thirst for another Batman game among fans is another console or PC Batman game. Neither a VR exclusive, nor a comic or movie tie-in will suffice. What they want is a new game, and nothing else can fill that void.
If the demand from comment sections, forums, and discussions suggests that another standalone Arkham game is wanted, then why isn’t one being developed? Given that Warner Bros. Games have frequently discussed DC’s potential as a billion-dollar gaming brand, you might expect a new Arkham title. However, even if an Arkham sequel (Arkham Shadow, which we haven’t mentioned earlier, is a prequel following the events of Arkham Origins) is in development, it probably won’t be a single-player game. The reason for this, regrettably, is that Warner Bros. Games are focusing more on live service, free-to-play, and mobile gaming.
The reasoning for the current situation is puzzling in two aspects. Firstly, the game “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” was a massive flop for WB Games, leading to significant financial losses and harming their brand, as well as tarnishing Rocksteady’s reputation (although Rocksteady opted to work on a live service FPS project themselves). Secondly, last year’s single-player RPG “Hogwarts Legacy“, which is one of Warner Bros.’ most profitable properties alongside “Harry Potter“, was financially successful. Interestingly, there are reports that a Director’s Cut of the game will be released, with Rocksteady Studios collaborating with Avalanche Software to complete it. At this moment, there’s no hint of live service elements being added to this re-release, but if we’re being realistic, future installments like “Hogwarts Legacy 2” might likely incorporate some form of free-to-play, microtransaction-based, live service components.
Back in June, I heard through the grapevine that Rocksteady’s top brass are proposing a brand new single-player game to WB Games. However, the details about this project have yet to be disclosed to us gamers. It might just be another Arkham adventure, but it’s all speculation at this point.
Despite the confusion surrounding the current state of the franchise, there’s good news: James Gunn, DC boss, has hinted that a new Arkham game is in the works. During an interview about Threads and the future of the franchise, he clarified that Kill the Justice League will not be the final installment in the Arkham universe. Furthermore, any future DC game won’t be connected to or based on current movies, as confirmed by Gunn and Warner Bros. These statements have since been removed from the interview, which may either diminish their importance or increase speculation about their accuracy, depending on one’s perspective. Essentially, Gunn seems to have insider knowledge about something related to the Arkham games.
I must apologize for the vague conjecture in this article. It’s more like a game of ‘he said, she said’, but if we live in a world where justice truly reigns (just like Batman strives to maintain), then a standalone Batman game might just be on the horizon. Now, let me share my thoughts: assuming it won’t be some never-ending live service game, it could very well be a reboot instead of a continuation of the Arkham series narrative. Warner Bros. have made it clear that their games won’t follow the movie adaptations, and despite James Gunn’s posts, Matt Reeves and Peter Craig’s The Batman was a reboot, and it was quite well received. There are countless tales waiting to be told in the Batman universe with a whole host of supervillains to battle. If we’re lucky enough to get a new Batman game, a reboot could be the best route to take.
The Arkham games stand out among some of the most remarkable action games ever crafted, even if you’re not a Batman fan. Their captivating ambiance, their smooth, dynamic, instinctive combat, exceptional voice acting, and particularly, their reverence for the iconic characters dwelling in Gotham City, set them apart from numerous other games, not just superhero titles. Rocksteady played a crucial role in developing these games, mastering the mix of ingredients, grasping what makes Gotham function, what maintains Batman as a lasting cultural phenomenon. However, with Warner Bros.’ emphasis on live service and free-to-play models for the future, it appears that a standalone Batman game similar to those we’ve come to cherish might not materialize. For now, the VR exclusive Arkham Shadow could be our best bet for experiencing another single player Batman adventure – quite an unfortunate turn of events.
Please take note that while the ideas put forth in this piece are from the author, they may not align with or be endorsed by GamingBolt as a collective entity.
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2024-08-19 16:42