‘Batman Arkham Knight' Devs Talk The End Of The “Arkham” Saga, Scale And Gameplay

With its recently updated June 23 release date steadily approaching, “Batman Arkham Knight” developer, Rocksteady Studios has put the game’s marketing machine into overdrive. Following news of a PS4-exclusive bundle and the reveal of Scarecrow and Harley Quinn-focused DLC, the studio has released information on everything from gameplay to villains and the game’s ambitious and epic scope.

The information comes via an in-depth interview with GamingBolt, during which Rocksteady social marketing manager Gaz Deaves speaks extensively about the game’s ambitions. When asked whether “Arkham Knight” marks the end of Rocksteady’s “Arkham” trilogy or just the end of a story arc, Deaves reiterated that it was indeed the end of the studio’s trilogy.

“We’ve had such an incredible experience working on the Batman: Arkham games over the last eight years that I think it’s important for us as a studio to give the series the send-off it deserves. That’s not just for our amazing fans – many of whom have been with us since Batman: Arkham Asylum – but also for ourselves, to give a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy that we’ve put so much care and effort into over the last eight years,” said Deaves.

Deaves adds that the studio fully intends to send the Caped Crusader off on a high note, building a version of Gotham that he describes as a living, breathing, complete version of the city, with an extreme level of detail and care added to every inch. He states that after much experimenting, the studio finally felt it was ready to include the Batmobile, which has become a major part of the game’s marketing.

Deaves said that “Arkham Knight” is currently in the final stretch of development, with the studio squashing bugs and adding a shiny layer of polish to the experience. He said that the team has also made sure to enhance Batman’s free-flow combat system by introducing a weapon-steal system. The Dark Knight is now able to fluidly confiscate enemy weapons in mid-combat, and use them against foes.

As previously reported, “Arkham Knight” will feature timed exclusive DLC on PlayStation platforms, which includes Batman skins and Classic TV series outfits for Batman and the Batmobile, in addition to Scarecrow Nightmare Missions. The DLC is slated to arrive on other platforms in the fall of 2015. “Arkham Knight” will also feature a Harley Quinn-focused DLC pack that allows gamers to take on the role of The Joker’s deranged sidekick as she embarks on a mission to find her lost pal, Poison Ivy.

As noted by Eurogamer, “Batman Arkham Knight” has been rated an “M for Mature” by the ESRB, which makes it the first game in the series to break the “T for Teen” barrier. Game director Sefton Hill is on record as stating that the studio didn’t intentionally court controversy, and that the story told in “Arkham Knight” is simply darker in tone than previous entries. After a spate of delays “Batman Arkham Knight” will finally be released on PS4, Xbox One and PC on June 23.