Rocksteady Studios delivered one of the best video games in recent memory this past year with the release of the highly talked about sequel Batman: Arkham City. Proving that superhero video games can actually be masterpieces, the title was praised for its combat system, open world format, and story. For months, the biggest question revolving the studio was simply what was next following their massive success. Well, it seems WB wants to reunite once more as their Bat-franchise may be turning back the clock.
Variety reports that Warner Brothers “and DC Entertaiment are focused on getting audiences used to seeing the [Justice League] superheroes together in other ways” and that WB Interactive Entertaiment is expected to reteam the heroes for an all-new installment in Rocksteady’s Batman franchise. It’s unclear just who will show up, though early rumblings late last year had pointed towards a Superman title for the developer. Perhaps they weren’t creating a Superman game after all but rather having the Kryptonian included in a future Batman game.
The game is said to be a “new highly stylized title [that] is being developed as a prequel that revolves around Batman’s first meeting with the Joker”. This may easily please some fans who worried just what was in store for the series following the ending of Arkham City, though there are still many questions and plenty of speculation that some are hoping are answered in an actual sequel. It’s also said the prequel will be based off of the 1950s Silver Age of DC Comics when Batman founded the JLA.
While Kevin Conroy could return to voice Batman, it’s currently unknown just where Mark Hamill stands on possibly voicing The Joker. Hamill had proclaimed that Batman: Arkham City would be his last time voicing The Joker, but there’s still a chance he could fall back in love with performing the character once more. The actor has been acclaimed for his portrayal of the villain, and with the prequel obviously bringing The Joker back into the picture it is certainly a possibility though unlikely at the moment.
Whatever lies in store, the game is not expected to hit shelves until 2014 at the very earliest.
Warner Brothers is currently on track to attempt a Justice League film following the incredible success of The Avengers.Man of Steel is hoping to be the first film of a shared universe for DC superheroes that could include Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Arrow, and more all in their own stand-alone films. While Batman is looking to get the reboot, other DC projects that are welcoming their wide roster of superheroes include The New 52 comics, The CW’s new television seriesArrow, and even Batman & Superman appearing together in the upcoming animated feature LEGO: The Piece of Resistance.
