Batman: Arkham Origins Announced

Deathstroke, and an Unrefined Batman take Center Stage

Gameinformer has just revealed their May cover which exposes a prequel to the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham games, titled Batman: Arkham Origins. Developed by WB Montreal, Arkham Origins promises a tale of a young, and learning Batman who will face off against some of his most infamous enemies, including Slade Wilson (aka Deathstroke), who will be making his debut appearance.

The game is being led by creative director Eric Holmes known for his work on Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Prototype. Arkham Origins is set to be released on October 25 this year for the Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. A separate title, known as Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will be released on 3DS and Vita, and will be a 2D side-scroller in the vein of games like Metroid. Apparently, several leads of the Metroid Prime trilogy are working on this handheld title.

As a fan of the previous Arkham games, I am very excited, but the choice to have WB Montreal take the head of this title has me a bit worried. It’s safe to assume that Rocksteady is working on a Next Gen title featuring either Batman, or maybe even another popular series but hopefully it doesn’t compromise the quality of this upcoming title. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Press Release

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS

Arkhamverse Expands with Prequel Story And New Addition of Handheld Games with BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS BLACKGATE

Burbank, Calif. – April 9, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Batman: Arkham Origins™ and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™, the next installments of the blockbuster Batman: Arkham videogame franchise. Batman: Arkham Origins will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 system, the Wii U™ system, and Windows PC. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™ will be available for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system, and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system. Both titles are scheduled to release worldwide Oct. 25, 2013.
Developed by WB Games Montréal, Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and introduces an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, the first two critically acclaimed games of the franchise. Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5-D game developed by Armature Studio that brings the Batman Arkham experience for the first time to Nintendo and Sony handheld systems. A companion game to Batman: Arkham Origins, players can continue the storyline of the console version and discover more details of the Dark Knight’s past.

“Batman: Arkham is a huge triple-A videogame franchise and we are delighted to expand the experience with Batman: Arkham Origins,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “WB Games Montréal has an incredibly talented team building upon Rocksteady’s award-winning gameplay and technology to deliver a deep, immersive, quality experience fans will love.”

“WB Games Montréal is honored to have the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Origins, a new chapter in this amazing franchise” said Reid Schneider, Vice President and Executive Producer, WB Games Montréal. “We are huge fans of the franchise and are committed to creating an experience that offers players more of what they love, as well as the chance to play as a younger Batman within a fresh storyline and expanded world.”

Batman: Arkham Origins is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamorigins.com for more information about the game.

#Batman arkham origins #Wb montreal #Wii u #Xbox 360 #Playstation 3

daftman

04/09/2013 at 12:28 PM

Sounds cool. I mirror your worries about the developer though. But this means that I really need to get around to playing Arkham City lol

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

04/09/2013 at 12:41 PM

Yes, that would be a good idea.

Angelo Grant Staff Writer

04/09/2013 at 04:59 PM

So would it be fair to assume that that game is in your... backlog?

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/09/2013 at 12:45 PM

I'm pretty stoked for this. Although I'm slightly worried about a new developer taking the helm, I have enough confidence on what's been previously laid out to be assured that it should still be good.

04/09/2013 at 04:52 PM

yeah. at this point, im expecting it to be good, but the real question is, will it be better than Arkham City? in that case, im skeptical. Time will tell...

Julian Titus Senior Editor

04/09/2013 at 12:58 PM

Really getting tired of prequels...

Jesse Miller Staff Writer

04/09/2013 at 01:19 PM

I think all these prequels are stop-gap games. Releasing a quick prequel allows for the studio to cash in one last time using the old engines, models, etc... before having to develop all new technology for the proper sequel that will come out on the next generation of systems. It would explain God of War, Gears of War and now this new Batman game.

04/09/2013 at 01:38 PM

Agreed. I still don't like it. I'd much rather they either use the engines and mechanics for a sequel or a sidestory. Or maybe use some cutting room floor stuff to make a new IP or spinoff.

04/09/2013 at 04:53 PM

I will say, i feel like this game has more of a purpose for it than Gears and God of War. Theres still a chance for it to be lackluster, but i hope it turns out well in the end.

transmet2033

04/09/2013 at 01:00 PM

blackgate is the game that i am interested in.

Nick DiMola Director

04/09/2013 at 01:09 PM

Same here.

granted, I salivate over anything that uses metroid to descibe itself.

indeed. Me love me some metroid :D

Anonymous

04/09/2013 at 01:08 PM

Just keep out the Online Pass in this game I'm I'll be happy to pick this up Day One!

BrokenH

04/09/2013 at 01:45 PM

Well, Slade is a bad-ass so it's cool he's one of the main antagonists for this. Just hoping this team can handle the license as good as Rocksteady. The side scrolling "Black Gate" spin off has me even more intrigued. I love me some Metroid styled exploration!

V4Viewtiful

04/09/2013 at 01:52 PM

Like how more clunky the suit is, more Prototype and less streamlined. here's the gameinformer vid

Super Step Contributing Writer

04/09/2013 at 02:03 PM

The guy that headed up Ultimate Destruction and some Retro guys that worked on the Prime trilogy ... I'm less worried than you, but we'll see where it goes.

Of course, Hulk isn't Batman, and 3D Metroid isn't 2D Metroid, so I dunno, but I think they can all pull it off, assuming it isn't rushed. And we all know what they say about assumptions; they make an ass out of "u" and "mptions."

True Gamer At Heart

04/10/2013 at 05:01 PM

I hate prequels, that being said, I do not think is quite like a standard prequel. Oh man..Deathstroke in the game!! Just that makes me want to buy it on day one!!

KnightDriver

04/17/2013 at 04:22 PM

That it's not being done by Rocksteady worries me but Eric Holmes sounds like the guy to do it. Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Prototype were favorites of a friend of mine and I enjoyed watching him waste those worlds with massive mayhem. I'm excited about Origins taking a more actiony turn and being less about sneakin' around.

Justin Matkowski Staff Alumnus

04/17/2013 at 11:33 PM

The metroid style take in Blackgate definitely sounds interesting, and sounds like one of those common sense ideas terms of access to new areas through Batman's technology arsenal. If they do that right, it will be very boss.

The choice to take the Arkham series away from Rocksteady has me a bit more than puzzled. Granted Rocksteady is either working on another project, gearing up for the Silver Age Batman game, or both, but I just hope that Arkham Origins isn't just a less refined and dynamic addition to the series. Even if WB Montreal are given the engine, Arkham Asylum and City are shining examples of the "God is in the details" approach to game design and world construction.

PixlBit