As a seasoned video game journalist with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the latest update from Warner Bros and Rocksteady Studios on Batman: Arkham Shadow has left me both intrigued and amused. It’s clear that they’ve taken fan feedback to heart, addressing quality-of-life improvements and adding new content to keep players engaged.
Major story spoilers ahead for
Batman: Arkham Shadow
.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is filled with intricate details and every corner of its narrative offers fascinating insights, particularly regarding how certain characters or events tie into other Arkham series. Before its release, Batman: Arkham Shadow cleverly concealed the fact that Bruce Wayne would don a costume other than the Batsuit. Characters like Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Dr. Jonathan Crane, and District Attorney Harvey Dent were highlighted in promotional materials leading up to launch, but they subtly hinted at Joe Chill’s presence.
In the game “Batman: Arkham Shadow,” certain mysteries are intentionally left unexplored, despite numerous speculations and theories arising. Following its release and the unfolding of its complex narrative, Game Rant had a chat with Ryan Payton, head of studio and game director at Camouflaj, about some key spoiler-filled plot points as well as upcoming content for players. (This interview has been condensed for conciseness and clarity.)
The Reasoning Behind Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Biggest Story Moments
As a gamer, I’ve got to say that one of the most daring and possibly divisive choices was Malone. During the preview event, I remember asking, “Are there any other viewpoints we experience besides Bruce’s?” You replied that it would solely be Bruce Wayne, which was true, technically speaking. However, what makes it so intriguing is that I’ve found myself distinguishing Bruce, Batman, and Irving “Matches” Malone as three distinct characters in my mind. I was curious if this separation was the intention behind the game’s design.
Payton: Our team centered around Batman, Bruce, and Matches. From the beginning, we aimed to explore the theme of identity. I find it intriguing about Batman: Who is the genuine character – Bruce Wayne or Batman? Is one just a disguise for the other?
In our planning, we found this topic intriguing as a new avenue to delve into, without giving away the key elements just yet; the game is titled “Arkham Shadow” for a specific reason – it’s not solely about the visual aspect of seeing one’s shadow or other shadow-themed aspects in the game. Instead, we aim to delve into the concept of one’s shadow from a Jungian perspective. We believed that Matches would be an engaging character for Bruce to portray, offering him a chance to take on a unique persona different from his usual self, and even embody someone he often looks down upon, particularly in the early stages of his career.
Personally, I firmly believe a compelling character arc or hero’s journey involves stepping into unfamiliar territories that challenge the protagonist and force them to confront their biases and prejudices. This journey often leads to wisdom and strength gained through interactions with those initially perceived as adversaries. In our game, Matches served as the platform for this transformative experience.
A: Was it decided first for the game to heavily feature Blackgate and therefore reveal Bruce’s hidden side, or was it decided first to delve into Bruce’s hidden aspect and then set the game primarily in Blackgate? Which of these steps occurred first during the creative decision-making process?
In the initial stages of designing Batman: Arkham Shadow, we collaborated closely with Warner Bros. Interactive and DC. We proposed an idea where, structurally speaking, we wanted to take more cues from Asylum than any other Arkham game. This was for several reasons. Firstly, we’re big fans of Asylum. Secondly, examining Rocksteady’s development process, they started with a game that had a smaller scope and was more focused. Given this was our first venture into the Arkham series, we felt it was fitting to follow a similar approach.
When examining the timeline, we found opportunities within the Arkhamverse to delve into intriguing aspects, and naturally, we were drawn to Batman’s early years following Arkham Origins. Since Arkham Asylum hadn’t been constructed at that point, and due to my long-standing fascination with prison-themed stories from various movies, books, and other media, Blackgate Prison emerged as an appealing setting for our game. Early on, we decided to delve more into this penitentiary in the development process.
It’s great that Warner Bros. and DC were enthusiastic about the concept and found it appealing. They appreciated the notion of designing the game in a manner reminiscent of Arkham Asylum, which led to some interesting questions: How would the player gain access to the prison, and how could exploration be facilitated? This idea, which I refer to as “prison fantasy,” although it seems contradictory, sparked curiosity. But more importantly, they pondered over how Batman would manage such an entry, and how the story would unfold in this context.
Initially, the concept of incorporating “Matches” Malone as a character came from Warner Bros. and DC. This significant decision left me pondering at my desk for quite some time when I first heard it. Ultimately, I found it to be an excellent idea that evolved into a key aspect of the game we developed over the subsequent three and a half years.
A: In the game Batman: Arkham Shadow, it’s fascinating how it starts with you wearing a disguise and noticing the flame tattoos on your arms. Plus, since you’re unsure what Bruce Wayne is supposed to look like, when you gaze at your reflection in the mirror, it seems like that face might be hidden behind a mask he wears, right?
Payton: Correct, yes, it’s a Mission Impossible-inspired mask that has some tech in it.
“Are you suggesting that during roughly half of the game, you’re portraying Malone while the rest of the time you’re playing as Batman? Or perhaps a slightly larger portion of the game is spent as Batman?”
Payton: In reality, it’s more about Batman, but the experience can vary depending on how the player chooses to engage. We’ve designed graphs and pie charts for each game chapter, showing the typical duration spent as Batman versus Matches. Initially, we thought of it as a “countdown until Batman” timer, considering it as a personal gauge that begins ticking the moment you transform into “Matches” Malone in the game.
As a game developer, I’m thrilled at the prospect of crafting an experience that offers players a momentary respite from the intense action and drama of being Batman. With the immersive capabilities of the Meta Quest 3, we aim to transport them into a unique environment – a prison, a place most have never experienced in reality. Here, they can explore, uncover secrets, and delve deeper into the story. It’s a refreshing change, but it’s crucial not to overdo it. We’re mindful of the “time until Batman” countdown, so we’ll ensure that these moments are balanced, particularly in mainline content. After all, we want to keep the excitement building, not let it dwindle!
If players prefer to immerse themselves more in the game as Batman, they can do so because we have extensively written and recorded dialogue for various instances and character states, not just for each chapter but also within them. As the story unfolds and you interact with different characters, their dialogues change, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration. However, I’d estimate that the average player would spend about 70% of their time playing as Batman and the remaining 30% as Matches.
Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Inspired Approach to Popular Villains and Easter Eggs
It was fascinating to observe Solitary Confinement involving characters like Joker, Black Mask, and Firefly, yet what made it captivating for me was the fact that it seemed optional – I didn’t get the impression any of it was compulsory. In fact, you don’t even need to signal your presence by knocking on the wall.
Payton: Correct. Completely optional.
A: In the game, it seems that a significant amount of self-control was required not to include Joker, who would have been in Blackgate alongside Black Mask and Firefly, as a fan service. Instead, they were given attention, even though they are lesser-known characters or Arkham Origins Casefile characters. This intriguing approach depends on the interaction with them, suggesting that their treatment is based on user engagement.
Payton: It seems you’ve caught on to one of my key approaches for this specific game – I want to emphasize that the Arkham series has a broad appeal. When I first played Arkham Asylum in 2009, it wasn’t the various comic book characters scattered throughout the game that left me amazed. Instead, I was captivated by the action itself. As a big fan of Batman and the dynamic between him and the Joker, it was the main storyline that really drew me in.
When examining these popular Batman films, I believe a key factor in their success lies in the ability of directors Matt Reeves and Christopher Nolan to make the stories relatable. They achieved this by focusing on characters rather than spreading themselves too thin with numerous characters or excessive cameos catering solely to hardcore fans. While they do offer something for these dedicated viewers, it’s not mandatory; it’s just one of many options in their cinematic feast.
Absolutely, you’ve got a point there! It does take some self-control from us, especially with my passionate gaming buddies who are just buzzing about this new content. However, I always remind myself that it’s designed for those who seek it out, and they’ll undoubtedly relish the experience. If you’re unfamiliar with characters like Black Mask or Firefly, don’t worry! You can still dive deep into the heart of the story and enjoy it just as much.
As a fan, I appreciate how the game handles some of its more prominent characters like Quinzel, Crane, and even Harvey, particularly in later installments. The fact that Harvey wasn’t given a boss fight is something I adore, and I was wondering if there was a specific reason behind this decision. It seems to me that a boss fight might not have aligned with the same emotional impact as Carmine’s or Bolton’s fights, as keeping a glimmer of Harvey as a good guy and tragic character at the end feels more fitting. Was there ever any contemplation about introducing a Harvey boss battle once his true identity as the Rat King was revealed?
Gamer: There’s a whole lot going on here! Let me dive into something you previously brought up. You could sense my enthusiasm before the launch, eager to respond and aid where I could. However, I had to tread lightly with what I shared because I was dying for it to be a surprise.
I aimed to make the “Matches” scene a significant shock; since most of the game unfolds within Blackgate Prison instead of Gotham, this aspect required careful handling in my descriptions so as not to mislead players or you while still preserving the element of surprise.
I found it surprisingly enjoyable to sew that thread through the needle, and now I find myself in a realm where everyone’s familiar with the game. To address your query regarding character development, I felt it was insufficient for us to adequately and respectfully flesh out these characters, who are still in their initial stages within the Arkhamverse, and end up in a position where they remain largely unaltered from how players encounter them in Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, or Arkham Knight.
Personally, I found it more captivating to delve into the “why” of our characters’ actions and their individual struggles with inner demons – simply put, I found this aspect far more intriguing. By doing so, we have left ample space for future possibilities, such as a potential sequel to Batman: Arkham Shadow or any other game projects within the franchise and Arkhamverse that Warner Bros. and DC may choose to commission. There’s a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be discovered in this area.
Regarding your query about Harvey Dent specifically, we indeed discussed, created models, and tested different versions of what could be perceived as a boss battle involving Harvey Dent. However, none of these iterations followed the conventional ‘Batman fighting Harvey Dent’ format—given that he is not just an adversary but also his foster brother, someone Batman cares for deeply.
In the final analysis, we chose not to incorporate a boss battle with Harvey Dent in the game’s finale for two primary reasons: firstly, from a technical standpoint, we packed as much content as possible given our constraints on time and resources for this project; secondly, considering the narrative arc of Batman throughout Batman: Arkham Shadow, it was a satisfying conclusion that players face the main antagonist at the end of the game without Batman resorting to violence. I’m particularly pleased with this decision as it showcases Batman’s character development.
He demonstrates empathy towards others, even those he may not share opinions with or feel intense anger towards. This isn’t exclusive to Harvey Dent; it also applies to Joe Chill, the man who killed his parents, as they stand face to face. I found this aspect of our communication particularly significant, and it seemed more crucial than having a conventional final battle akin to a video game boss fight. Instead, the focus was on conveying this emotional depth.
Designing and Obfuscating Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Joe Chill
Question: Does Batman: Arkham Shadow offer any insight into how Harvey Dent discovered about Joe’s role in the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents?
Payton: The game has some hints about its past hidden subtly, as we didn’t want to reveal too much. One such clue is a voice message from Harvey Dent before the critical juncture, where he says, “Hi, I’ve been investigating this matter and believe I’ve uncovered something significant. I need you to call me back, Bruce.
In a roundabout manner, we hinted at the fact that Harvey has been extensively working on this project for quite some time now. Eventually, he tracked down Joe Chill, an individual about whom he is thrilled to share his findings with Bruce. Among the numerous aspects I adore in this game and its narrative, one that stands out among the elite few is the concept we conceived together – Harvey Dent’s relentless pursuit of the Rat King mirrors Batman’s, leading him to discover a secret about an inmate in the prison who may not be who they claim to be or whose background contains hidden truths. Ultimately, it turns out that this person is Joe Chill.
As a gamer, I was taken aback when I spotted Joe Chill in the gameplay trailer, seated among the group therapy attendees. His character model seemed eerily familiar, reminiscent of his design from the Arkham VR game. It wasn’t an entirely new vision of how Joe Chill might appear, but rather a more mature version of that model.
Balancing the reveal of game details without spoiling it or misleading players is a bit of a challenge. We’ve drawn inspiration from games like Metal Gear Solid 2, particularly in our approach to character swaps. In Arkham Shadow, just as MGS2 did, we didn’t explicitly state that players would be controlling “Matches” Malone in our marketing materials. Instead, we kept a secret and only revealed the character change before launch to maintain the element of surprise.
Instead of MGS2, our aim was not to create a game where you spend most of your time playing as Snake, while only 20% is dedicated to Raiden. Rather, our goal was to ensure that players primarily experience the game as Batman, and we intentionally saved the twist for later.
As a gamer immersed in the game world, I chose to keep the Rat King’s identity under wraps, saving the big reveal for last. When it came to Joe Chill, we didn’t outright disclose his surname within the game, but we opted to show respect towards the players. If they happened to notice a character named Joe with a troubled backstory, who bore a striking resemblance to a certain character from the Arkham VR character model feature, then that was perfectly fine. It didn’t spoil the story for them.
For quite some time now – let’s say around a year and a half, possibly even two years – I’ve been referring to him as Frost. It was a nickname that his fellow inmates came up with as a clever twist of Joe ‘Chill.’ It added an extra layer of disguise to his real identity, but we chose to believe and honor the player by assuming he was in on it. If he was, then so be it.
I like that it’s more of a surprise for Bruce than it is necessarily for the player.
The main role of the Commissary is to strengthen and deepen the bond between the player and Joe, making him more than a fleeting character in the storyline. Additionally, I’m eager to introduce extra dialogue options with Joe Chill, as these interactions will provide additional opportunities to foster that relationship with him. I believe Armin Shimerman, the actor portraying Joe Chill, delivers an outstanding performance that truly brings the character to life.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Leaves Breadcrumbs for Players to Follow in Future Content Updates
As a gamer, I always kept an eye on the bulletin boards in The Pigsty, reminiscing about Batman: Arkham Origins. You see, before the game was released, I’m pretty sure they hadn’t disclosed that the Joker would be in it. In the Batcave, I recall noticing a corkboard filled with Red Hood mentions, and I thought to myself, “Alright, Red Hood… That must mean the Joker is lurking around here somewhere…”
In the game Shadow, I paid close attention and noticed a character who appears to be imitating Batman. I’m curious if this could be a nod to ‘Batman: The Imposter’, considering the similarities between their characters, or is there genuinely an impersonator within the game itself?
Payton: Instead of simply saying “no comment,” I’d like to share a more intriguing perspective on post-launch observations. After all, I enjoy exploring various YouTube videos, engaging articles, and even discussions on forums and Discord channels about numerous aspects of the game. Frankly, I was hoping that players would take an interest in these elements enough to ask questions, but sometimes it’s hard to tell.
Looking back, it wasn’t unexpected that the players of Arkham would pay such close attention to details. However, during development and even up until its release, I often wondered, “Just how much will people notice these intricacies?” It turns out, there are still many details that have gone unnoticed, which I find quite delightful. My hope is that this game continues to be a timeless title, with players discovering new aspects and connecting the dots over time.
In our upcoming discussion, let’s delve into some new features we’re incorporating. These elements were initially intended for version 1.0 but ran out of time to include. These additions not only provide more topics for conversation, but also aid players in solving some of the game’s mysteries. However, regarding what you noticed on the bulletin board and other hints about that concept scattered across the game, I’d like to clarify that it’s not Batman, but rather someone who appears to be emulating Batman, engaging in crime-fighting activities across Gotham City.
It seems that across various Arkham games, there’s a trend of ongoing discoveries being made. I aimed to create the same engaging and lasting experience for players in Arkham Shadow. Here’s hoping it maintains this level of longevity.
A: It seems clear that the Rat, who’s associated with Shrike in the projection room, is none other than Dick Grayson, correct? Could you verify this for me?
Gamer: Yep, I’ve got to tell ya, there definitely is a Rat in the projector room. Now, after that little incident with the Rat, ol’ Bruce Wayne took a moment to ponder, then he asked Leslie to hit him up. That’s something we’ve hidden within the game, right during the credits. Here’s the scoop: although we’re not working on story DLC at the moment, we’re definitely beefing up the game with more content. We aim to wrap things up nicely before we call it a day on the development and updates of this game.
A: Could you explain what it entails? Are these extra scenes incorporated within the main storyline of the game?
Payton: For instance, in the upcoming 1.1 version, there are certain aspects we failed to incorporate into the game initially. With 1.2, we’re enriching these elements by introducing new conversations with Joe at the shop, making it more interesting and I regretted not including them at launch. These added story details subtly enhance the overall feel of the game. Regarding the mystery surrounding that specific Rat character, I don’t want to reveal too much, but further content is on its way that should spark some intrigue about the character’s identity.
There’s a potential issue with the projection room character Rat in our game that we’ve noticed, and we’re considering investigating it further in upcoming updates. At the moment, all hands are on deck for Batman: Arkham Shadow, and we anticipate keeping the team focused on this project for the next few months at least, possibly even into February. The exact date when we’ll wrap up work on the project is still uncertain, but it definitely won’t be before December and January.
We’ve been busy enhancing our game with numerous free updates, thanks to the fantastic feedback from our community. These improvements cover fixes, adjustments, and additions that our players have requested – essentially, quality-of-life upgrades. Furthermore, we’re offering extra, free content to keep the game exciting. The upcoming release features a multitude of changes. I can’t wait to share it with you! As for December, we’ve planned another update (version 1.2) that will enrich the game further by incorporating a character viewer, additional challenge maps, and localized voiceovers for all non-English languages.
The Projection Room update won’t meet its deadline for December, instead it will likely be rolled out in early 2025. Although not definitive, there are strong indications that we may introduce New Game Plus feature as early as next year. Fans have been asking for another mode similar to “I am the Knight” from Origins, and we’re currently exploring ways to incorporate it into our updates for next year. We have a list of major updates we’re considering in the coming months.
[END]
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2024-11-20 17:26