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The game features an emphasis on Batman's detective skills: Batman can scan a crime scene using his detective vision to highlight points of interest and holograms act out theoretical scenarios of the crime that occurred. The crimes can be reviewed on the [[Batcomputer]] in the [[Batcave]] at will, allowing the player to view the scene from different angles, in slow motion or pause it while looking for clues to advance and solve the crime. Small and large crime scenes are spread out over Gotham City.<ref name="RevealIGN"/><ref name="RevealCVG"/> For example, reviewing the downing of a helicopter, Batman is presented with false and accurate clues; investigation of the scene can reveal that the helicopter was shot, allowing Batman to trace the bullet's trajectory to a murdered police officer and another crime scene.<ref name="GIPreviewMay"/> Batman can leave to get some questions answered and then return to the scene to investigate with the new information and so on. Once it a crime is fully revealed, Batman will narrate a video rundown of the case.<ref name="GIArticle"/>
The game features an emphasis on Batman's detective skills: Batman can scan a crime scene using his detective vision to highlight points of interest and holograms act out theoretical scenarios of the crime that occurred. The crimes can be reviewed on the [[Batcomputer]] in the [[Batcave]] at will, allowing the player to view the scene from different angles, in slow motion or pause it while looking for clues to advance and solve the crime. Small and large crime scenes are spread out over Gotham City.<ref name="RevealIGN"/><ref name="RevealCVG"/> For example, reviewing the downing of a helicopter, Batman is presented with false and accurate clues; investigation of the scene can reveal that the helicopter was shot, allowing Batman to trace the bullet's trajectory to a murdered police officer and another crime scene.<ref name="GIPreviewMay"/> Batman can leave to get some questions answered and then return to the scene to investigate with the new information and so on. Once it a crime is fully revealed, Batman will narrate a video rundown of the case.<ref name="GIArticle"/>


==Characters and setting==
==Synopsis==


===Characters===
===Characters===

Revision as of 00:28, 28 May 2013

Batman: Arkham Origins
Developer(s)Warner Bros. Games Montreal
Publisher(s)Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Director(s)Eric Holmes
Programmer(s)
  • Tim Tcheblokov Edit this on Wikidata
Writer(s)
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: October 25, 2013

Batman: Arkham Origins is an upcoming video game being developed by Warner Bros. Games Montreal and released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and Microsoft Windows. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is the successor to the 2011 video game Batman: Arkham City. The game's main storyline is set several years before that of 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum and follows a younger and less refined Batman who becomes the target of assassins on Christmas Eve. It is scheduled for release on October 25, 2013.[2]

A spin-off game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, is scheduled for release alongside Arkham Origins for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita.[2]

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay in Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City

Arkham Origins will feature similar gameplay to its predecessors.[3] The Remote Claw is a new gadget which allows Batman to target two objects and pull them together allowing him to knock enemies together or hit them with objects.[4] Tethering two walled-points together creates a tightrope that Batman can traverse.[5] Some gadgets present in Batman: Arkham City return in Arkham Origins, including: the Cryptographic Sequencer, which is used for hacking security consoles; the batarang, a throwing weapon; and Explosive Gel.[5]

The game introduces a fast travel system, allowing Batman to remotely summon his plane, the Batwing, to transport him to other areas of the game world quicker than gliding or grappling can allow. Enemy tower installations prevent Batman summoning the craft in some areas and must be first disabled using various gadgets and abilities to make the Batwing available; the Batwing is not player controlled.[3][6] Combat introduces a tracking system which assesses the players' efficiency, highlighting various achievements in battle such as avoiding damage and using gadgets. Combined with chaining attacks together, the performance is rewarded with experience points. These points can be used in a branching upgrade system to enhance Batman's abilities and gadgets, allowing players to upgrade multiple paths or specialize in one.[7][4][8] The martial-artist is a new enemy type who is capable of countering Batman's own counters.[5]

Arkham Origins offers side missions including: "Crime in Progress", where Batman can assist the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) to improve his reputation by accomplishing tasks such as rescuing police officers from a gang or preventing an informant being thrown to his death; "Most Wanted" allows Batman to pursue villains outside of the main story such as Anarky, who plants bombs around city.[4][9] The Dark Knight system offers tasks of escalating difficulty that promote improvement in stealth and combat. Additionally, Batman's radio scanner also allows him to locate side missions. Completing side missions are rewarded with experience points and upgrades to Batman's equipment.[4][7] Alfred may notice that Batman had a difficult time in a completed side mission, so he will offer him a new gadget that addresses that specific problem.[10]

The game features an emphasis on Batman's detective skills: Batman can scan a crime scene using his detective vision to highlight points of interest and holograms act out theoretical scenarios of the crime that occurred. The crimes can be reviewed on the Batcomputer in the Batcave at will, allowing the player to view the scene from different angles, in slow motion or pause it while looking for clues to advance and solve the crime. Small and large crime scenes are spread out over Gotham City.[3][4] For example, reviewing the downing of a helicopter, Batman is presented with false and accurate clues; investigation of the scene can reveal that the helicopter was shot, allowing Batman to trace the bullet's trajectory to a murdered police officer and another crime scene.[9] Batman can leave to get some questions answered and then return to the scene to investigate with the new information and so on. Once it a crime is fully revealed, Batman will narrate a video rundown of the case.[10]

Characters and setting

Characters

Arkham Origins features a large ensemble cast of characters from the history of Batman comics. Returning characters from Arkham City include: Batman (Roger Craig Smith)[11] a superhero trained to the peak of human physical perfection and an expert in martial arts;[12][13] the psychopathic Joker (Troy Baker);[14][7] GCPD captain James Gordon;[3] the Penguin;[4] Bane, the assassin Deadshot,[9] and Batman's butler Alfred Pennyworth. The story is also intended to explore the relationship between Batman and Alfred. Batman sees Alfred as a reminder of his parents' deaths, and an overbearing parental figure, while Alfred sees Batman as a spoiled child squandering his inheritance on his vigilante crusade, causing the two to repeatedly clash in the plot.[15] The story takes place before the existence of Batman's sidekick, Robin.[16] Arkham Origins marks the debut of crime lord Black Mask,[17] the assassin Deathstroke,[2] the anti-government, anti-corporation anarchist Anarky,[9] Commissioner Loeb of the GCPD,[7] Alberto Falcone,[4] and GCPD SWAT team leader Branden, who was first introduced in Batman: Year One.[10]

Setting

The events of Arkham Origins are set several years before Batman: Arkham Asylum, in the middle of winter in fictional Gotham City. Batman is an experienced crime-fighter, but has not yet become the veteran superhero portrayed in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. He remains a mysterious force with even the police unsure if he is a vigilante, a myth or supernatural. Batman has battled with normal criminals and gangsters and is used to being stronger and faster than his targets, but on a snowy Christmas eve he is confronted with far more dangerous enemies: super villains tasked with killing Batman.[18][15][19] The sadistic and brutal Black Mask has placed a bounty on the superhero, and Batman must discover why the villain harbors a deep hatred for him. Black Mask is the most powerful man in the city, possessing vast wealth and resources, and controls Gotham's criminal underworld, having eliminated his opposition and begun consolidating his power. His mask conceals his identity, allowing him to operate publicly as Roman Sionis, head of Janus Cosmetics.[17] Black Mask's henchmen help instigate a rise in crime and gang activity in the city. The Gotham City Police Department, led by corrupt Commissioner Loeb, and Captain James Gordon, are wary of the new superhero in their midst, and are not his allies.[4][18][7] GCPD SWAT member Branden leads corrupt cops to help cover up criminal activity and hunt Batman.[10]

Old Gotham, the segment of Gotham City which will become the Arkham City prison, is not yet walled off, and contains slums, lower buildings, a large shopping mall, and docks where Penguin's ship Final Offer is stationed. Within Final Offer, Penguin has added a casino, fighting pit and sales floor with weapons and ammunition.[10] Across the bridge from Old Gotham is New Gotham, the more modern metropolitan area of the city filled with towering skyscrapers.[6][20] Old Gotham will feature many of the districts introduced in Arkham City, including: Park Row; The Bowery, which features Jezebel Plaza; Amusement Mile, which has yet to be flooded; Industrial District and the new Sheldon Park area. New Gotham will include the Coventry, Diamond District and Burnley districts.[10]

Development

In July 2012, it was reported that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) was looking to make Rocksteady Studios's next Batman game a prequel based on the Silver Age of Comic Books, and featuring the characters Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. The report suggested that the game would explore Batman's first confrontation with the Joker, and that it would have a release date of no earlier than 2014.[21] In August 2012, Paul Dini stated that he would not be involved in writing a sequel to Arkham City. He had not been included in writing for any of that game's downloadable content (DLC), including the story-based "Harley Quinn's Revenge" DLC, and said that Warner Bros. and Rocksteady suggested that he take work elsewhere if offered. He added that he had taken on other projects that would prevent his involvement until 2013.[22] In February 2013, it was reported that a new game in the Batman Arkham franchise would be released in 2013, and that Rocksteady would not be acting as the developer.[23]

Batman: Arkham Origins was announced on April 9, 2013 with Canadian studio Warner Bros. Games Montreal (WB Montreal) serving as the developer. The studio previously worked on the Wii U adaptation of Batman: Arkham City, which allowed them to familiarise themselves with the modified Unreal Engine 3 development engine utilized Rocksteady, developer of the first two Arkham games. WB Montreal opted not to heavily modify the established combat system, believing it already worked well, but are introducing new enemy types to provide opportunities to use new tactics and combat moves to defeat opponents. Rocksteady provided advice on the technology, game mechanics and engine, but WB Montreal was allowed to develop the story independently. The plot was partly inspired by the comic book series Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, and the graphic novel Batman: Year One detailing the first year of Batman's career, with Arkham Origins being described as a "Year Two" story.[20] The story is written by Dooma Wendschuch and Corey May with input from DC Comics and comic book writer Geoff Johns.[1] Eric Holmes serves as Arkham Origins creative director.[2][4]

Design

Holmes described the choice of a Christmas setting as a purposeful juxtaposition between the joyful time of year and the grim world of Gotham City, such as decorative Santas by gothic gargoyles, and Christmas lights offering dim lighting in dark alleyways. The city itself was described as a place dislodged from time and space, featuring 1930's stylized and older buildings contrasted with Batman's futuristic technology beyond even modern gadgets. The New Gotham area of the game was designed for vertical movement, allowing the placement of enemies at different heights above and below Batman to create areas dense with activity.[6] A dynamic weather system was implemented during development that could alter gameplay, such as wind and snow combining to reduce visibility and render sniper enemies more vulnerable to Batman's stealth. The idea was discarded when it was decided that the feature could not be completed within the development time the team had available.[8] The game world features a high-contrast of darks and lights with few balancing colors, and exaggerated shadows. The city was broken down into assorted neighborhood zones like residential, industrial and commercial. To fit the Christmas theme, the zones were then decorated according to their type, so the industrial setting features little reference to Christmas, the commercial area has corporate decorations, and residential areas have lights in the windows.

In designing the less-experienced Batman's outfit, the designers aimed to make it look "assembled versus manufactured" as if pieced together from various individual parts.[19][24] Holmes said, "[Batman's suit is] not something that was made in a factory. He's taken pieces of tech either he's invented, he's fabricated or things from the Wayne facilities, and he has make this costume out of these pieces."[10] To emphasize the mystery and fear instilled by Batman in the early stage of his career, art director Jeremy Price and the design team made greater use of silhouettes and film noir-style low-key lighting to make the character more imposing.[19][24] Holmes acknowledged that Black Mask is not as well known as some of Batman's other rogues such as the Joker and Penguin, and said that extra work was required to provide enough characterization to make him interesting and scary.[17]

It was initially reported that veteran Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy would not return to voice the character, with the developers opting for a younger voice to correlate with the early career of Batman.[25] In May 2013, Roger Craig Smith was announced as the voice of Batman, and Troy Baker as the Joker.[26][7] Conroy stated at the 2013 Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role as Batman in Arkham Origins. As Conroy was unclear, it is unknown if he will have another role in Origins, portray an older Batman in the game or was referring to an unannounced game.[27]

Music

The game's music was partly inspired by that of the 1988 action film Die Hard, also set during Christmas, which features sleigh bells mixed into its soundtrack to punctuate specific moments.[16]

Release

Batman: Arkham Origins is scheduled to be released worldwide on October 25, 2013 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC platforms. In addition, the spin-off game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will be released along side Arkham Origins for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita.

Pre-order bonuses

Deathstroke will be made available as a playable character usable in all of the game's challenge maps, and featuring his own unique weapons and abilities. The Deathstroke pack includes two alternate outfits for the character and two additional challenge maps.[28][29]

References

  1. ^ a b Hanson, Ben (April 17, 2013). "The Storyline Of Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Vore, Brian (April 9, 2013). "May Cover Revealed: Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c d George, Richard (April 9, 2013). "Assassinating Batman in Arkham Origins". IGN. J2 Global. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hussain, Tamoor (April 9, 2013). "Batman Arkham Origins full details: Batwing, Dark Knight challenge system, Remote Claw". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c Totilo, Stephen (May 20, 2013). "The Next Batman Game Still Has A Lot To Prove". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c Miller, Mike (April 10, 2013). "The World Of Batman: Arkham Origins (Page 2)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f George, Richard (May 20, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins is a Blast From the Past". IGN. J2 Global. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b George, Richard; Dyer, Mitch (May 20, 2013). "Exploring Combat, Upgrades, and Gotham in Batman: Arkham Origins". IGN. J2 Global. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b c d Turi, Tim (May 20, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins - The Joker Appears In Hands-on Preview". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Vore, Bryan (2013). "Hunting The Bat". Game Informer (241). GameStop: 40–51. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Kubba, Sinan (May 20, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Troy Baker as Joker". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Kelly, Andy (August 21, 2009). "Read PSM3's Batman: Arkham Asylum review here". PSM3. Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Kohler, Chris (September 1, 2009). "Review: Creepy Batman: Arkham Asylum Redefines Comic-Book Game". Wired. Condé Nast Publications. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Glasser, AJ (January 30, 2009). "Twenty Minutes With Batman: Arkham Asylum". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b Watts, Steve (April 18, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins devs detail relationships, setting". Shacknews. GameFly. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b Hanson, Ben (April 29, 2013). "Die Hard, Robin, And The Music Of Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b c Miller, Matt (April 15, 2013). "The Nemesis Of Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ a b Miller, Mike (April 10, 2013). "The World Of Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b c Watts, Steve (May 2, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins aims to look like film noir". Shacknews. GameFly. Retrieved May 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham Origins To Be A "Year Two" Story". Siliconera. CraveOnline. April 12, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Graser, Marc (July 11, 2012). "Warner's super vision - Studio ramps up effort to maximize DC's Justice League heroes via games, TV, pics". Variety. PMC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Gilbert, Ben (August 6, 2012). "Paul Dini explains absence from next Batman game". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Cook, Dave (February 12, 2013). "New Batman Arkham game due in 2013, Warner financials confirm". VG247. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b Hanson, Ben (May 1, 2013). "The Dark Art Of Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Plunkett, Luke (April 29, 2013). "Arkham City's Batman Actor Won't Be Back For The Next Game". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (May 19, 2013). "Batman voice actor will return for Arkham Origins". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Karmali, Luke (May 20, 2013). "Kevin Conroy May Be In Arkham Origins After All". IGN. J2 Global. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (May 19, 2013). "Deathstroke Playable In Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (May 20, 2013). "Turns out Kevin Conroy is working on Batman: Arkham Origins after all". Eurogamer. Eurogamer Network. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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