Insomniac Games and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 might be enjoying critical acclaim and commercial success right now, but true comic book fans know that it was Rocksteady Studios that paved the way for true AAA video game adaptations.
Starting with Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009, Rocksteady became the go-to studio for those wanting to experience a day night (or two) as the “World’s Greatest Detective.” Unfortunately, since releasing Batman: Arkham Knight in 2015, the Warner Bros. Games subsidiary has spent years making an “unwelcome” sequel set in the same multimedia universe. Its subsequent delays and the lack of fanfare surrounding the game all but suggests that Rocksteady’s next outing is all but doomed to suffer at launch, similar to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
While this is genuinely concerning news, James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, just let slip reassuring information about the future of the Arkhamverse and, quite possibly, what’s next for Rocksteady Studios.
Gunn’s recent interactions on social media platforms like Twitter and Threads have shed light on the possibility of more titles set in the Arkhamverse. In one of his now-deleted posts, he mentioned that there are currently “no plans” for the upcoming game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, to be the last game in the Arkham series. This statement, although retracted, suggests that Gunn is open to the idea of continuing this beloved series.
The importance of Gunn’s statement lies not just in the continuation of the popular series but also in the recognition of the Arkhamverse’s unique place in the DC gaming landscape. Rocksteady’s Arkham games have set a high bar for comic book video game adaptations, blending immersive gameplay with compelling narratives. The critically-acclaimed series has a deep history for storytelling, intricate combat mechanics, and faithful rendition of the Batman universe.
The prospect of extending this universe with new titles is an exciting one. It’s also in line with Gunn’s previous statement about potentially extending the DC Universe beyond cinema.
As for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the game is finally set to release on February 2, 2024 on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, and PC. Although controversial, its premise of playing as iconic villains in a battle against the Justice League has, at the very least, piqued the interest of gamers.
It remains to be seen if the changes made to the upcoming game will have a negative effect on gameplay or if the delay plays to its benefit.
If it’s any consolation, Rocksteady has committed to supporting the game with new content post-release.
Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav’s recent comments about focusing on live service games indicate a potential shift in how future Arkhamverse games might be structured. However, this doesn’t necessarily spell the end of single-player experiences set within the DC Universe.
As Gunn navigates his role at the helm of DC Studios, his appreciation for the Arkhamverse and his openness to seeing its continuation is a promising sign for fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this acclaimed series.
In the meantime, fans might want to avoid playing Batman: Arkham Trilogy on Nintendo Switch.
