Batman: Arkham Asylum, co-published in North America by Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, will be available from Friday for the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360.
Developed by Rocksteady Studios and based on DC Comics' Batman license, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers players diverse gameplay that pushes the envelope for all action, adventure and superhero games and exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure taking them to the depths of Arkham Asylum. The Games for Windows LIVE version of the game will be available on September 18, 2009.
In Batman: Arkham Asylum, BATMAN finds himself trapped inside the confines of Gotham's psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane, ARKHAM ASYLUM. THE JOKER has set a trap for the DARK KNIGHT and has conspired with the deranged inmates to eliminate Batman once and for all. Adding to the authenticity of the game are veteran animated Batman voice talents Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, who reprise their roles as The Joker and Batman respectively.
"This has been an immense collaborative effort and we're extremely proud of Batman: Arkham Asylum," said Lee Singleton, General Manager, Eidos Game Studios. "From the reactions we have already received, we truly believe it will not only stand out as one of the games of the year but establish itself as one of those rare action adventure games you simply cannot forget."
"Batman is one of the most recognizable and iconic characters around the world and with the high quality launch of Batman: Arkham Asylum we are establishing the brand as a triple-A franchise," said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "We are extremely proud of Batman: Arkham Asylum and consider it critical in developing and growing our key franchises."
"The team at Rocksteady has poured an immense amount of love and effort into developing a game that Batman fans and gamers will enjoy," said Sefton Hill, Game Director at Rocksteady Studios. "We're very proud of Batman: Arkham Asylum. We are excited about the incredible response from the press and even more excited that everyone will now finally get their chance to play the game."
Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story by Paul Dini, Batman author and five-time Emmy Award winner whose credits include Lost season one and Batman: The Animated Series. Gamers will move in the shadows, instill fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City's most notorious villains, including HARLEY QUINN, BANE, KILLER CROC, POISON IVY, and SCARECROW, who have taken over the asylum.
Owners of the PLAYSTATION3 version of Batman: Arkham Asylum will be able to take control of The Joker in eight Challenge Maps as he battles wave after wave of enemy do-gooders. The Joker Challenge Maps will be available from launch as free downloadable content through the PlayStation Network. In addition, the PLAYSTATION 3 version of the game unlocks the Batman: Arkham Asylum Batcave Outpost in PlayStation Home, an exclusive personal space available to those who purchase the game for PLAYSTATION 3. The Batcave Outpost comes complete with the BATMOBILE, BATWING, and tons of other great features, allowing fans to call the BATCAVE their own home within Home.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is rated "BBFC 15" and available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION3 for the suggested retail price of £49.99. It will also be available for Games for Windows at retail outlets for the suggested retail price of £34.99 on September 18, 2009.
