Jump to content

Batman: Arkham City

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Batman: Arkham City
Developer(s)Rocksteady Studios[a]
Publisher(s)Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Director(s)Sefton Hill
Producer(s)
  • Daniel Bailie
  • Nathan Burlow
Programmer(s)Ben Wyatt
Artist(s)David Hego
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Nick Arundel
SeriesBatman: Arkham
EngineUnreal Engine 3[b]
Platform(s)
Release
October 18, 2011
  • PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    Windows
    Wii U
    OS X
    • WW: December 13, 2012[10]
    PlayStation 4, Xbox One
    • WW: October 18, 2016[11]
  • Nintendo Switch
    • WW: December 1, 2023
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Batman: Arkham City is a 2011 action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is the sequel to the 2009 video game Batman: Arkham Asylum and the second installment in the Batman: Arkham series. Written by veteran Batman writer Paul Dini with Paul Crocker and Sefton Hill, Arkham City was inspired by the long-running comic book mythos. In the game's main storyline, Bruce Wayne is incarcerated in Arkham City, a super-prison enclosing the decaying urban slums of Gotham City. He dons his alter ego, Batman, and goes on a mission to uncover the secret behind a sinister scheme orchestrated by the facility's warden, Hugo Strange.

The game is presented from the third-person perspective with a primary focus on Batman's combat and stealth abilities, detective skills, and gadgets that can be used in both combat and exploration. Batman can freely move around the Arkham City prison, interacting with characters and undertaking missions, and unlocking new areas by progressing through the main story or obtaining new equipment. The player is able to complete side missions away from the main story to unlock additional content and collectible items. Batman's ally Catwoman is another playable character, featuring her own story campaign that runs parallel to the game's main plot.

Rocksteady conceived ideas for a sequel while developing Arkham Asylum, commencing serious development of Arkham City's story in February 2009. The layout of Arkham City has a virtual footprint five times that of Arkham Asylum, and the city design was modified to accommodate Batman's ability to swoop and glide. Over a year and $10 million were spent on the game's marketing campaign, and its release was accompanied by two music albums; one containing the game's score, and the other featuring 11 original songs inspired by the game from various mainstream artists.

Arkham City was released worldwide for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles in October 2011, followed by a Microsoft Windows version a month later. The game received critical acclaim, particularly for its narrative, characters, world design, soundtrack, and Batman's combat and navigation abilities. It was tied with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for the highest-rated video game of 2011 according to review aggregator Metacritic, and was the recipient of several awards from media outlets, including Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Action Adventure Game, Best Adventure Game, and Best Original Score. Like its predecessor, it is considered one of the greatest video games ever made. The game has sold over 12.5 million units and generated over $600 million in revenue.

A spin-off mobile game, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, was released in December. Arkham City received a "Game of the Year Edition" in May 2012. Wii U and OS X versions of the game were released in November and December 2012, respectively; and a remastered version for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2016. A version for the Nintendo Switch was released in 2023.

A prequel to the series, Batman: Arkham Origins, was released in October 2013, and a narrative sequel, Batman: Arkham Knight, was released in June 2015.

Gameplay

[edit]

Batman: Arkham City is an open-world[12] action-adventure game that incorporates tactics from stealth games.[13] It is presented from the third-person perspective, showing the playable character on screen and allowing the camera to be freely rotated around it.[14][15] The game is set within Arkham City, which is open to the player from the beginning of the game, allowing them to travel freely anywhere within its boundaries.[12] The player can move silently throughout the game, using a combination of gadgets and stealth moves to sneak up on enemies and incapacitate them. Batman can use his cape to glide around the city, diving downwards and swooping upwards to extend his flight, and he can use the grapnel gun's retracting rope to attach to out-of-reach ledges.[16] As Batman, the player is able to use "Detective Vision", a visual mode that highlights elements of interest on-screen, such as character status, collectables, and clues; the mode is also used to perform forensic activities such as tracking the source of a sniper rifle round.[17][18] The player has access to an in-game criminal database which includes forensic puzzles, as well as a network for hacking communication frequencies.[16]

Using an improved version of the "Freeflow" combat system from Arkham Asylum, the player can now counter multiple blows simultaneously, catch hurled projectiles, attack aerially, and administer a succession of consecutive strikes. Many of Batman's gadgets can now be used in combat.[16] Enemies are armed with varying levels of armor and weapons; attacks from basic weapons like baseball bats and lead pipes inflict minor damage and can be countered, while guns inflict significant damage. Certain enemies must be disarmed in specific ways before they can be neutralized in combat: enemies with stun batons can only be attacked from behind; enemies with shields require aerial attacks to disarm; and enemies wearing body armor must be stunned with rapid successive strikes before they can be harmed.[19][20] Larger enemies must be tackled with stuns and combo attacks, and can be manipulated to take out their allies.[21] Disputes between gangs allied to rival villains often spark turf wars, which complicate the player's ability to move about Arkham City.[16] Combat, among other actions, rewards the player with experience points that allow the player to periodically level Batman up and purchase upgrades to his Batsuit, gadgets, and combat and stealth skills. Each category contains approximately 15 different upgrades. For instance, an upgraded grapnel gun can be used to remotely disarm enemies, while a combat upgrade makes it easier to activate special attacks.[22][23]

Batman defeats an enemy in a demonstration of Arkham City's "Freeflow" combat system.
Batman uses a Remote Electrical Charge against TYGER personnel. Batman: Arkham City features an emphasis on the skillful use of gadgetry when facing armed enemies.

Some gadgets obtained in Batman: Arkham Asylum are present at the start of Arkham City, while others become available during play.[24] Most of these have improved or new capabilities; for example, the Cryptographic Sequencer, used for hacking security consoles, can also monitor shortwave radio channels,[13] and the line launcher can now be deployed as a tightrope or alter direction during flight.[25] Other items returning from the first game include these: a remote-controlled batarang; Explosive Gel that can now be detonated to knock down enemies in combat;[21] and the grapnel gun, which can now be used while gliding to facilitate transportation.[21][26] New items in Batman's arsenal include: smoke bombs that disorient opponents and assist with stealth tactics; a Remote Electric Charge (REC) gun that can stun enemies and temporarily power motors;[21] Freeze Blast grenades that encase targets in ice and can be thrown into water to create makeshift platforms;[24] and the Disruptor, which can remotely disable guns and explosive mines.[21]

The game has approximately 40 hours of gameplay, with the main campaign lasting 25 hours and side missions lasting 15 hours. The side missions, which can be attempted at any time,[27] feature prominent characters from the Batman universe.[28] One such character, the Riddler, provides 440 optional "Riddler challenges"[29] to solve. Most of these challenges consist of collecting trophies hidden in the city through the use of gadgets to disable traps and barriers.[28][30] The player can mark Riddler trophies on the in-game map once found if they do not initially have the necessary equipment to complete the puzzle.[25][28][29] The player can also reveal the locations of Riddler trophies on the map by identifying the Riddler's henchmen with "Detective Vision" and interrogating them, which requires the player to save the henchmen for last when engaging in combat with a wave of enemies.[28][30] There are also environmental challenges which require the player to solve riddles by locating a specific item or location (which are rewarded with stories relating to the answer), and to locate question marks painted around the city, some of which can only be viewed in whole from certain vantage points.[22] After completing a select number of challenges, Batman must rescue a civilian hostage held in one of the Riddler's death traps.[25][31]

After completing the story mode on "normal" or "hard" difficulties, a "New Game Plus" mode is unlocked, enabling the player to replay the game with all of the gadgets, experience, and abilities that they have attained; enemies are tougher and the on-screen icon that warns players of imminent attacks is disabled.[32] Arkham City features a series of challenge maps separate from the game's story mode. The maps focus on the completion of specific goals, such as eliminating successive waves of enemies in combat, subduing patrolling enemies while employing stealth, or traveling to a specific location as efficiently as possible. The methods and variety of abilities used to achieve these goals earn an overall performance score that is ranked online against other players.[33][34]

Catwoman is another playable character available via the Catwoman campaign, which was initially downloadable content (DLC) on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles but was later included with the Windows version and the "Game of the Year Edition".[35][36][37] Catwoman's campaign features her own heist-focused storyline that intersects with the main story at specific points in the game. Her combat emphasizes agility and allows for the use of unique weapons such as clawed gauntlets, bolas, and her iconic whip.[38][39][40] A portion of the Riddler challenges are specific to Catwoman and can only be completed by her.[38] Batman's allies Robin (Tim Drake)[41] and Nightwing (Dick Grayson) are also playable via optional DLC and feature their own combat abilities and gadgets.[42][43] Both characters are available in the challenge maps; Robin has his own main story narrative.[42][44]

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Arkham City include a stereoscopic 3D (S3D) mode for 3D HDTVs and for 2D HDTVs via Inficolor 3D glasses, while the PC version supports Nvidia 3D Vision on compatible monitors.[45] It uses TriOviz for Games Technology, which is integrated with Unreal Engine 3.[45][46] The Wii U version uses the Wii U's touch screen controller to let the player manage Batman's equipment and upgrades, selectively detonate Explosive Gel placements, and view a map of the city. The Wii U version adds a Sonar mode which highlights points of interest nearby, and the Battle Armored Tech Mode (BAT Mode) that allows Batman to accrue energy during combat and, when activated, inflict increased damage.[9]

Synopsis

[edit]

Characters

[edit]
Kevin Conroy returned as Batman from Arkham Asylum. Actor Mark Hamill was reluctant to return for the sequel, wanting to leave the Joker role on a "high note," but relented after learning of the involvement of Paul Dini and Conroy.[47] Actress Tara Strong replaced Arleen Sorkin in Batman: Arkham City as the voice of Harley Quinn, and reprised the role for the Harley Quinn's Revenge downloadable content.

Arkham City features a large ensemble cast of characters from the history of Batman comics. Returning characters from Arkham Asylum include Batman (Kevin Conroy),[48] the Joker (Mark Hamill)—in what Hamill stated would be his final time voicing the character;[49] (he subsequently reprised the role in Arkham City's successor Batman: Arkham Knight)[50]—Warden-turned-Mayor Quincy Sharp (Tom Kane), police Commissioner James Gordon (David Kaye),[51] and reporter Jack Ryder (James Horan).[52] Returning villains include the Riddler (Wally Wingert),[53] Victor Zsasz (Danny Jacobs),[42][52] Bane (Fred Tatasciore),[54][55] and Poison Ivy (Tasia Valenza).[55][56] Joker's sidekick Harley Quinn also returns, voiced by Tara Strong, who replaces Arleen Sorkin.[52] Batman's supporting cast introduces Catwoman (Grey DeLisle),[57] Robin (Troy Baker),[41][58] and Batman's butler Alfred Pennyworth (Martin Jarvis),[51] who provides radio support alongside the returning Oracle (Kimberly Brooks).[51] Nightwing appears as a playable character outside of the main story via challenge maps.[59]

Other characters marking their debut in the series include the manipulative warden of Arkham City, Hugo Strange (Corey Burton),[60] Two-Face (also voiced by Baker),[58] and the Penguin (Nolan North).[61] Stana Katic lends her voice as Talia al Ghul,[62] and Maurice LaMarche voices both Mr. Freeze[63] and Calendar Man.[51] Other characters include the zombie Solomon Grundy (also voiced by Tatasciore), the shapeshifter Clayface (Rick D. Wasserman), the League of Assassins's leader, Ra's al Ghul (Dee Bradley Baker),[51] the mind-controlling Mad Hatter (Peter MacNicol),[51][64] and the assassin Deadshot (Chris Cox), who has infiltrated Arkham City to kill several high-profile character targets.[51][65] The villain Hush (also voiced by Conroy),[51] the mysterious Azrael (Khary Payton),[51] and reporter Vicki Vale (also voiced by DeLisle)[66][67] also appear. Black Mask (also voiced by North),[68] Killer Croc (Steve Blum),[55] and Freeze's wife, Nora Fries, make cameo appearances in the game.[69][70]

Setting

[edit]
Further information on the setting: Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City (comic book)

The events of Arkham City are set 18 months after Batman: Arkham Asylum.[71] Quincy Sharp, the asylum's erstwhile director, has taken credit for halting the Joker's armed siege, using this distinction to become mayor of Gotham City. Declaring both the asylum and Blackgate Penitentiary no longer suitable to contain the city's detainees, Sharp's administration orders both facilities closed, and he purchases Gotham's most notorious slums and turns them into an immense prison enclosure known as Arkham City. This facility is subsequently placed in the care of psychiatrist Hugo Strange—who is secretly manipulating Sharp—and monitored by a rogue private military firm, TYGER Security.[72] Strange permits the inmates to do as they please, so long as they do not attempt to escape. A wary Batman maintains his own vigil over the new project, afraid that the chaotic situation there will get out of hand.[16] Meanwhile, the Joker is dying from a disease caused by his previous consumption of the Titan formula, an unstable steroid mutagen that turns men into indestructible and savage monsters.[72][73]

Plot

[edit]

At a press conference held by Bruce Wayne to declare his opposition to Arkham City, TYGER mercenaries arrest and imprison him in the City itself. Hugo Strange discloses his knowledge of Wayne's dual identity as Batman before releasing him into the prison's criminal populace.[74][75] While Strange prepares to commence "Protocol 10", Wayne obtains his equipment via airdrop from Alfred Pennyworth, allowing him to become Batman. He first saves Catwoman from being executed by Two-Face, who hopes to gain respect by murdering her.[17] After the Joker attempts to assassinate Catwoman, Batman tracks him to his hideout in the Sionis Steelmill, believing Joker may know the truth behind Protocol 10.[18][76]

There, Batman learns that the unstable properties of the Titan formula are mutating in Joker's blood, gradually killing him. Joker captures Batman and performs a blood transfusion on him, infecting him with the same fatal disease.[76][77] Joker also reveals that Gotham hospitals have been poisoned with his infected blood. Desperate to save himself and innocent citizens, Batman seeks out Mr. Freeze, who has been developing a cure but has since been kidnapped by the Penguin.[21] Tracking Penguin to his fortified museum, Batman defeats his forces, his imprisoned monster Solomon Grundy, and ultimately the Penguin himself, before liberating Mr. Freeze.[21]

Freeze tells Batman that he has created a cure, but it is rendered useless via instability. Batman deduces that the therapeutic properties of Ra's al Ghul's blood can complete the cure and tracks one of his assassins to his underground lair, leading Batman into a confrontation with Ra's and his daughter Talia, Batman's former lover.[21] With Ra's al Ghul's blood, Freeze is able to develop an antidote, but Harley Quinn steals it before Batman can use it.[78]

When Batman returns to the Joker, he finds the latter's health has been restored. While the two fight, Strange activates Protocol 10, which is revealed to be a scheme to wipe out the entire population of Arkham City and destroy the criminal element of Gotham. TYGER troops begin executing inmates as Strange launches missile strikes on Arkham's denizens from his base in Wonder Tower. A missile hits the steel mill, burying Batman under rubble. Before Joker can take advantage of the situation, Talia arrives and offers him immortality in exchange for sparing Batman's life. After escaping with the help of Catwoman, Batman is convinced by Alfred to end Protocol 10 before pursuing Talia and Joker.[79]

Batman infiltrates Wonder Tower and disables Protocol 10. Ra's al Ghul is revealed to be the true mastermind behind Arkham City and mortally wounds Strange for failing to defeat Batman.[79] With his dying breath, Strange activates "Protocol 11", the self-destruction of Wonder Tower. After Ra's commits suicide to avoid capture, Joker contacts Batman, threatening to kill Talia unless Batman meets him at the Monarch Theater. When Batman arrives, Joker demands the cure from Batman but is impaled and seemingly killed by Talia while distracted. Talia admits to stealing the antidote from Quinn,[80] before a second Joker kills her, still stricken with the disease.[79][81]

The healthy Joker that Talia impaled then reanimates into the shapeshifting Clayface, who is revealed to have been masquerading as a healthy Joker all along at the ailing villain's request.[82] During Batman's battle with Clayface, Joker blows up the theater floor, revealing that it is above the Lazarus Pit. After defeating Clayface, Batman drinks a portion of the antidote and destroys Ra's' rejuvenating Lazarus Pit before Joker can use it. As Batman debates curing his foe, Joker attacks him, inadvertently causing the antidote vial to smash. Batman admits that he would have saved him despite everything Joker had done. Joker finally succumbs to his illness and dies. Batman carries and places Joker's body on the hood of Commissioner Gordon's car before leaving Arkham City in silence.[73][81]

Development

[edit]

Concept

[edit]
Veteran Batman comic book writer Paul Dini, pictured in 2019. After writing Arkham Asylum, Dini reprised his duties for Arkham City.

Rocksteady conceived the idea of a sequel before development of Arkham Asylum had concluded, developing ideas for both the story and setting so the games' narratives could be effectively connected; a secret room was hidden in the asylum warden's office in Arkham Asylum containing hints of how the sequel would progress, including blueprints for the Arkham City prison;[83][84] the blueprints are quite similar to its final layout in Arkham City.[42] The original idea was to take the game out of the asylum setting and onto the streets of Gotham City while retaining the level of design detail put into the asylum. To that end they wanted to include locations from the Batman mythos that were notable and meaningful to the character, instead of a series of generic streets; Rocksteady was initially unsure how technical considerations would limit the scope of this idea.[42]

Serious development of the game's story and concept started in February 2009, as teams were moved from Arkham Asylum to Arkham City's development as they completed the work on that game.[85] By the time they had programmed Batman to dive and glide between buildings of the asylum, the adaption of the gameplay to the city was considered natural.[84] Rocksteady decided to not include the Batmobile, because it would be unable to travel on the city's broken terrain. Batman's gliding provided a sufficient means of transportation, and it was considered that putting Batman in any vehicle would make it a completely different game.[42] Sefton Hill, Arkham City's director from Rocksteady Studios, stated that a key goal for the game was to deliver the "'Batman in Gotham' feeling."[84] The sequel was described by Conroy as "really, really dark". While relating the game's dark nature to the animated movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Conroy also said, "It involves a lot of the villains and it goes to that area – it's that dark."[48]

Design

[edit]

As part of the "Batman in Gotham" design philosophy, Batman's arsenal of moves and actions were expanded. Although the team developed several ideas for new moves, gadgets and abilities, they only went forward with those that they felt would be authentic to Batman.[84] They also chose to have Batman start the game with access to the gadgets unlocked in Arkham Asylum, to convey the impression that Batman is fully prepared for the inevitability of things going wrong in Arkham City.[42] The studio reviewed the play and combat systems used in Arkham Asylum, and built the new moves as natural extensions of the existing system as a means to "add even more depth and gameplay instead of changing them fundamentally".[84] The number of animations were doubled to reflect the larger arsenal of moves at the player's disposal.[84] The X-ray-like "Detective Vision" mode used to highlight certain objects in-game was redeveloped for Arkham City because it was considered to be too useful in Arkham Asylum, resulting in some players using it throughout almost the entire game; the visual effect also obscured the game's design aesthetic.[86] One idea was to introduce a time limit on its use, but it was considered that Batman "wouldn't make a gadget like that".[87] Instead, the mode was designed to be difficult to use in certain situations such as obscuring navigational information, and combat where enemy strikes will blur the screen when "Detective Vision" is active.[76][88] Rocksteady art director David Hego described the new "Detective Vision" as an "augmented reality mode".[86]

Another way the developers wished to enhance the player's Batman experience was through the larger game world. Arkham City has a virtual footprint five times larger than that of Arkham Asylum, and the navigational aspects were improved to offer the player "the freedom and exhilaration of gliding down alleyways and soaring above the skyline".[84] Though the concepts were compared to an open world game, Hill notes that such freeform nature would not be appropriate for a Batman game because it would inhibit the atmosphere they wanted to create, and that Arkham City was designed to challenge the player to think like Batman to survive.[84] To counterbalance the larger game world, the developers also sought to include more challenges and side missions while keeping the player alert as to the primary mission, such that the players constantly are aware of "extreme pressure of the challenges that they face".[84] The Riddler Trophies were designed towards the end of the game's development and were incorporated into every area of the map without overpopulating it, resulting in 440 trophies. Rocksteady aimed to make the player think creatively when collecting trophies by requiring the use of gadgets to solve puzzles, rather than placing the trophies in obscure areas of the map as mere collection items.[29]

With the open game world, Rocksteady included more villains to create challenges for Batman. Hugo Strange was selected as a primary antagonist, as his power and controlling manner help maintain the lockdown on Arkham City once Batman enters. Strange is aware of Batman's true identity, making Batman "vulnerable and exposed in a way that he has never been before", according to Hill. He noted that Strange is a character new to many players but that his backstory and character are detailed throughout the game.[85] Catwoman was also included based on her long history with Batman, though she was given her own agenda running parallel to the events within Arkham City.[89] Catwoman's missions initially ended with her coming to Batman's aide, but late in development, the developers decided to give the player an alternate choice, allowing them to have the morally grey Catwoman leave the city with her loot; the addition was implemented in two days.[90] Batman's sidekick Robin also appears, featuring a shaved head and contemporary costume design that were intended to move away from his traditional "Boy Wonder" image. Senior concept artist Kan Muftic explained: "Our vision of Robin is the one of a troubled young individual that is calm and introverted at times, but very dangerous and aggressive if provoked. The shaved head is inspired by cage fighters, because we thought that Robin might be doing that in his spare time to keep him on his toes. Still, we kept all the classic trademarks of Robin's appearance, such as the red and yellow colors of his outfit, the cape and the mask."[91] Rocksteady originally did not plan to include Robin in the main story but later decided to as an authentic means of delivering new gadgets to Batman, as well as to introduce their version of the character and his relationship with Batman.[29]

Rocksteady intended for Batman, Catwoman, and Robin to offer three different playing experiences.[42] Other villains from Batman's comic history were selected to show that the prison was a melting pot of people from Gotham. The developers believed that providing a small part of each villain's story rather than focusing on a select few allowed the player to meet many more characters and effectively conveyed the feeling of being in a superprison filled with supervillains.[29] Rocksteady decided early on that the Joker would die in the story, and developed the idea of him poisoning Batman with the same affliction, in order to show how the two diametrically opposed characters would interact in pursuit of a shared goal. Warner Bros. and Dini did not oppose killing off the character as long as it was not done for shock value, and as long as they made it clear that Batman was not at fault, since he would not intentionally kill someone.[90]

The developers had considered adding a multiplayer element to the game, but ultimately decided against it. About the agreement, Hill stated, "If we use all of the energy that is required to create multiplayer and instead focus this on the single player, would that deliver a better overall game?"[89]

Variety was added to the city itself, as certain areas were designed around the villains that control that particular territory. Dax Ginn, marketing game manager at Rocksteady Games, said, "If you move into Joker's territory, you get a very Joker-ized experience, and all the artwork on the buildings – whether that's graffiti, signage, or whatever it might be – gives you a dense kind of Joker experience. So our art team has really put a lot of effort in making that sort of transition between one turf zone to another – really helping the player feel like they're making a physical transition into another emotional space."[92] The architecture was imbued with 19th century Art Nouveau design, such as Strange's Wonder Tower which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, while character designs employed a modern hyperrealism style. To keep the environments interesting, base color schemes such as Mr Freeze's ice-themed area, Joker's fire-themed steel mill, and Poison Ivy's jungle-themed area were populated with contrasting elements: for example, the steel mill uses large, white clown faces to contrast the oranges and reds used throughout.[93] To develop the expanded environment of Arkham City and build a "natural urban environment" for Batman, Rocksteady expanded its workforce from 75 to over 100 people.[94] The crunch period for Arkham City lasted about eight months, with people working until 11 or 12 each night, with an 8am start.[95]

Music

[edit]
Main article: Music of Batman: Arkham City

The game's release was accompanied by two albums of music released by WaterTower Music.[96][97] Batman: Arkham City – Original Video Game Score was released on October 18, 2011, and features 19 tracks written for the game by Arkham Asylum composers Nick Arundel and Ron Fish.[96] Batman: Arkham City – The Album was released on October 4, 2011, via CD and digital download. The album contains 11 original songs inspired by the game from mainstream artists including Daughtry, Panic! at the Disco, and Coheed and Cambria. An extra song was made available via the Collector's edition of the album,[97][98] and the Deluxe edition included a portion of Arundel's original score.[99]

Marketing

[edit]

Arkham City's marketing campaign was designed to reach an audience outside of superhero fans and appeal to consumers who are attracted to games like the first-person shooter series Call of Duty. Warner Bros.'s marketing team decided that Batman's status as a cultural icon and superhero was unavoidable, so they decided to emphasize other elements of the character that could appeal to fans of first-person shooters and action games. Black-and-white photographs of iconic personalities like inventor Steve Jobs and actor James Dean served as inspiration and a basis for the final marketing campaign used in advertisements and the game's cover art. The imagery, highlighted with blood and bathed in light was considered to move away from the classic superhero image and refocus on Batman's humanity. The black and white campaign was featured on 120 magazine covers and was targeted towards approximately 15 million consumers across a variety of social media and Warner Bros. products, in addition to a series of viral marketing videos and stunts involving actors in costume attending press-related events. By April 2012, three gameplay trailers had gained approximately 6 million views.[100] The viral segment of the campaign involved several audio recordings between characters from the game including Hugo Strange, Quincy Sharp, Riddler, and the Penguin; each recording could be found by solving a puzzle.[101] The entire campaign spent more than a year in development, producing artwork, videos, DLC, printed advertisements, billboards, and events, and was estimated to have cost at least $10 million.[100]

A six-issue, limited monthly comic series, also titled Batman: Arkham City was released on May 11, 2011. The series bridges the plot between Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. It was written by Paul Dini with art by Carlos D'Anda.[102][103] Warner Bros. also developed toys based on the characters through Mattel, Hallmark cards, batarang-shaped videogame controllers, and a variety of apparel by Converse, Eckō Complex, C Life, New Era, and Briefly Stated.[104]

Toys "R" Us in Times Square New York City, released 500 copies of Batman: Arkham City on Monday, October 17, one day before the game officially hit shelves. The first 100 customers to pre-order a copy through the store's "Personal Shopping Department" had a chance to get their game autographed by DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, and Arkham City game director Sefton Hill. The remaining 400 copies of Arkham City could be purchased at the event, unautographed.[105]

Release

[edit]

Batman: Arkham City was released in North America on October 18, 2011, for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3,[1] followed on October 19 in Australia[1] and October 21 in Europe. Australian retailers EB Games and Game broke the official release date two days early, selling the game on October 17.[2] The Windows version had been scheduled for simultaneous release with other versions, but in September 2011, its release was pushed back to November 18 without explanation.[5][6] Alongside its PC launch, the game was also released digitally on the OnLive, Origin, and Steam platforms.[106] A "Game of the Year Edition" was released on May 29, 2012, in the United States and Canada,[107] and on September 7, 2012, in Europe, Australia, and other territories on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,[36] except the United Kingdom where its scheduled release was pushed back to November 2, 2012.[108]

A spin-off game titled Batman: Arkham City Lockdown was developed by NetherRealm Studios for iOS and was released on December 7, 2011.[109] Taking place before Arkham City, the game sees players using touchscreen controls to fight enemies one-on-one, including villains such as Two-Face, Solomon Grundy, Joker, and the mercenary Deathstroke. Defeating enemies earns points that can be used to upgrade Batman's stats or unlock gadgets or costumes.[109][110]

Pre-order bonuses

[edit]

Warner Bros. partnered with several retailers and companies globally to provide bonus content as a reward for pre-ordering, including: Best Buy, Amazon.com, GameStop, Game, Gamestation, EB Games, Tesco, and Asda.[111][112] The content was only made available by pre-ordering the game with a specific retailer or purchasing a product, such as a NOS beverage, to obtain an unlockable code.[113]

A variety of alternate outfits for Batman were revealed in August 2011, including suit designs worn by the character in The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Earth One, the Bronze Age of Comics, Batman: The Animated Series, and Batman Beyond.[114] The Batman: The Animated Series skin was initially only available to GameStop customers in the U.S. with a Power-Up Rewards Membership.[115] A PlayStation 3-exclusive Sinestro Corps outfit was revealed in August 2011 that initially was only unlockable via a unique code obtained by purchasing the extended cut edition of the Warner Bros. film, Green Lantern on Blu-ray Disc.[116][117]

Batman's sidekick Robin (Tim Drake)[41] was made available as a playable character for use in challenge maps, with his own set of combat moves and gadgets. Additional Robin skins were also released, including his appearance from Batman: The Animated Series and the Red Robin outfit.[118][119] The character came with two exclusive challenge maps: "Black Mask Hideout" and "Freight Train Escape".[41] The "Joker's Carnival" challenge map was also made available; it set within the Joker's Sionis Steel Mill base where the player is faced with multiple waves of opponents.[120] The pre-order content was considered an "early access opportunity" for customers,[121] with Ginn confirming that all of the content would be made available for download after the game's release date.[36][121] Pre-orders for Arkham City numbered more than 200% above those of Arkham Asylum.[100]

Retail editions

[edit]

In the United Kingdom, the "Robin Edition" was announced, available exclusively through retailers Game and Gamestation, containing the game and all of the Robin pre-order content including the playable character, skins and challenge maps.[122] A series of "Steelbook Edition" versions of the game were also made available, featuring the standard game with a metallic case. The Joker-themed Steelbook includes the "Joker's Carnival" challenge map, the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood on DVD (Blu-ray for PlayStation 3), and the Bronze Age Batman skin DLC.[123] Three other villain-themed steelbook cases were also offered, featuring the likenesses of Two-Face and the Penguin.[111] A fourth steelbook featuring Catwoman was released, containing the Batman: Earth One alternative skin for Batman.[124]

The "Collector's Edition" contains a Batman statue by Kotobukiya, a collectible art book, Batman: Arkham City – The Album from WaterTower Music, the animated film Batman: Gotham Knight, The Dark Knight Returns skin and the Penguin-themed "Iceberg Lounge" challenge map.[125][126] In July 2011, the Microsoft Windows version of the game was revealed to use Games for Windows – Live (GFWL) to access online services.[127] Confusion concerning the use of GFWL was raised when a distributor was told by Warner Bros. that the title did not use the Live system, but the use of GFWL was confirmed in late August.[128][129] However, the game and its sequel has been removed from GFWL and SecuROM on October 17, 2013. The save game will not continue unless it is started from the beginning.[130] Therefore, when buying a retail version, the system clock must changed before activating the game.[131]

On October 25, 2011, a Batman-themed Xbox 360 console bundle was released, containing the game, a DVD of Batman: Gotham Knight, a DVD of the Green Lantern film, the Green Lantern video game tie-in Rise of the Manhunters, and a 250GB Xbox 360 console. A bundle containing these items and a Kinect controller was also released.[132]

A "Game of the Year Edition" was announced on April 23, 2012, containing the game and all of the released downloadable content (DLC). A free download of the animated movie Batman: Year One was also included with versions released in the United States and Canada.[36][107] The cover art was widely criticized for its large text of review scores and quotations, which dwarfed the actual name of the game. Some critics claimed it to be among the worst ever.[133][134][135] The "Game of the Year Edition" was developed for OS X by Feral Interactive and released on December 13, 2012.[10]

Downloadable content

[edit]

New purchases of the game for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are provided with a unique code that unlocks the Catwoman DLC, enabling a series of missions for Catwoman, with unique weapons and moves.[37][136] Although the missions were presented as part of the main game, on October 13, 2011, Warner Bros. announced that it would be restricted to new purchases.[35][136] Users can also purchase the content separately. It was later announced that pre-owned copies purchased from GameStop would contain the necessary unlock code.[137] A Warner Bros. rep confirmed that playing as Catwoman would not be required to complete the game.[138] The Catwoman DLC also contains two alternate skins for the character: her appearances from The Animated Series and Batman: The Long Halloween.[139] The PC version of the game includes the DLC, requiring no downloads or further installs to access.[37]

Additional DLC packs were later released. The Nightwing pack, released on November 1, 2011, includes Batman's ally Nightwing as a playable character for the game's challenge maps, an Animated Series alternative skin for the character,[43] and two more challenge maps: "Wayne Manor" and "Main Hall".[140] The Robin pack was released on November 22, 2011, and contains the Robin pre-order content.[141] A Skins pack containing all of the alternate Batman pre-order skins was released on December 6, 2011.[142] Another pack was announced for release on December 20, 2011, containing the pre-order "Iceberg Lounge" and "Joker's Carnival" challenge maps, and a completely new challenge map: "Batcave".[143] On December 19, 2011, a new Batman skin was released—based on the character's outfit from Batman Incorporated—to download for free on all platforms.[144]

On October 23, 2011, an official map app was made available to purchase on the iOS App Store that contains maps for Arkham City, the locations of in-game collectibles, and the solutions to the Riddler's riddles.[145]

Harley Quinn's Revenge, a story-based campaign expansion, was released on May 29, 2012, for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, with a PC version coming out a week later. The campaign features a new story, new areas, new enemies, and both Batman and Robin as playable characters. The story takes place two weeks after the events of Arkham City. The mega prison has since been evacuated, but Quinn returns and sets up in Joker's former base.[44] The game follows Robin's search for Batman, who has gone missing while hunting Quinn;[36][44] Batman has been acting differently following the end of the main game story, concerning his allies.[146] On the same day, it was announced that all of the released DLC, including Harley Quinn's Revenge, would be made available as part of the Arkham City "Game of the Year Edition".[36][107]

Other releases

[edit]

The Wii U release of Arkham City, titled Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition, was developed by WB Games Montréal[147] and released on November 18, 2012, alongside the console's launch in North America. The release contains all of the available content from previous releases — plus a Battle Armored Tech mode, GamePad support, and other additions.[9]

Batman: Return to Arkham, developed by Virtuos, is a compilation featuring remastered versions of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City using Unreal Engine 4 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Additionally, both games include all previously released downloadable content, and features improved graphics, upgraded models and environments, and improvements in the lighting, effects and shaders for both games.[148][149] Originally intended for release in North America on July 26, 2016,[148] and in Europe on July 29, 2016,[150] the compilation was delayed indefinitely in June 2016 in order to give the development team "additional time to deliver a polished Batman Arkham game experience."[151] It was released on October 18, 2016.[11]

Batman: Arkham Trilogy, developed by Turn Me Up, features ports of Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight for the Nintendo Switch that was launched on December 1, 2023.[152] The versions of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City in this compilation are not based on the Return to Arkham releases but instead the original Unreal Engine 3-based releases.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Batman: Arkham City received critical acclaim.[168][169] According to review aggregating website Metacritic, the PlayStation 3 version of the game had a weighted average review score of 96/100,[153] the Xbox 360 version had 94/100,[154] and the PC version had 91/100.[155]

Game Informer's Andrew Reiner awarded the game a perfect 10 score, labeling it "the best licensed video game ever made". Reiner said that the game could be the biggest and "most enjoyable timesink" of 2011, and concluded that the game surpassed every standard set by Batman: Arkham Asylum "in every way and stands tall as one of Batman's greatest moments."[160] Joystiq's Griffin McElroy praised the attention to detail, and mechanical excellence of the game environment, crediting Rocksteady for "breathing life into a staggeringly beautiful world; one which hums not only with opportunity, but ambition". McElroy criticized the game narrative as a series of excuses to encounter villains that were "one-dimensional punching [bags]", and that the character dialogue was clichéd. McElroy was also critical of the Riddler challenges, stating that they were "frustrating" when the player lacks the necessary items to complete them.[164]

Eurogamer's Christian Donlan considered that the game lacked the same "surprise" as its predecessor, but praised the overall improvement of bosses, animations and the scope of activities available. Donlan said that the game environment was intricate and very detailed, and the abilities provided for its traversal made it "hard not to feel like the world's greatest detective, on patrol".[159] IGN's Greg Miller said "the voice acting, the challenges, the amazing opening, the unbelievable ending and the feeling of being the Dark Knight—these are the things that standout". Miller said that the Catwoman missions were a fun change of pace from the main gameplay, and that he "adored" the option to replay the game with unlocked abilities and more difficult enemies.[163]

The Daily Telegraph's Tom Hoggins praised the game's sense of progress in discovering and mastering the character abilities, and the "show-stopping brutality" of the improved combat system. Hoggins highlighted the Catwoman campaign as a "delight" and fitting lithe contrast to Batman's strength, but lamented the campaign's short length.[26] The Guardian's Nick Cowen labeled it the best Batman game of all time, praising the variety of side missions and content, the large cast of iconic characters, and the satisfying challenge of the Riddler missions.[170] The Australian Official PlayStation Magazine awarded a perfect score of 10 stating that the game "is not only the best superhero game ever made, it's one of the best games ever made... it brings the Caped Crusader's world to life better than any comic, movie or television show before it".[171] Play3 (Germany) awarded a score of 92%, calling it "the best superhero game ever made".[172] GamesMaster awarded a score of 97%, saying it is "the gold standard by which all future videogames should be judged".[173]

Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition for Wii U received a positive reception. Metacritic provided a score of 85/100.[156] Eurogamer's Richard Leadbetter was critical of technical performance including issues with visual quality and inconsistent framerate.[174] EGM's Ray Carsillo said that the optional B.A.T. system made certain battles too easy. Carsillo also said it was the "clearly inferior version" of the game due to glitches and "tacked on gimmicks".[175] Nintendo World Report's Patrick Barnett wrote that certain uses of the Wii U controller made it "the best way to experience Arkham City", but that some new features were a "nuisance". Barnett added that it was "on par, if not better, visually", than its counterparts.[176] Joystiq's JC Fletcher opined that the persistent map screen and touch screen interface were appreciated, and complimented the use of augmented reality to explore crime scenes.[177] GameRevolution's Blake Peterson praised the real-time management of information, upgrades and equipment that he considered made Batman more vulnerable,[178] although Barnett included this as a point of criticism.[176]

For the "Harley Quinn's Revenge" DLC, IGN's Greg Miller scored the content 9 out of 10 and gave it an Editor's Choice designation. Miller said that it "is what downloadable content should be", but criticized the lack of variety in the missions and the lack of conclusion to some plot threads.[146] Eurogamer's Christian Donlan gave the DLC a score of 7 out of 10, and said that Harley Quinn worked as well as the Joker as a narrative focus. Donlan said that Robin was "enormous fun to play", but criticized the DLC for not offering anything not present in the main game.[179] Kotaku's Stephen Totilo was critical of the DLC, saying that it diminished his desire to replay the main game and describing it as "delicious a dessert as a poison-filled Joker pie to the face". Totilo said it presented an emotionless, inconclusive journey, composed of unused material from the main game.[180]

Sales

[edit]

Arkham City is one of the fastest selling games in history.[181] Worldwide, two million units were sold in its first week from approximately 4.6 million shipped units, compared to Arkham Asylum's 4.3 million units sold in its entire release. On February 8, 2012, it was announced that more than six million units of the game had been shipped since release.[182]

During the first week of sales in the United Kingdom, Batman: Arkham City became the number-one selling game on all available formats, replacing FIFA 12 atop the charts for PlayStation 3,[183] Xbox 360,[184] and all-format[185] games. It became the fourth-biggest launch of 2011 after FIFA 12, Gears of War 3, and L.A. Noire. It became the biggest UK game launch in the history of Warner Bros., doubling the first week sales of Arkham Asylum.[186] It was the tenth-best-selling game of 2011 with approximately ten weeks in release, and the 34th-best-selling game of 2012.[187][188]

According to NPD Group, Batman: Arkham City was the second-best-selling game in the United States for October 2011, selling 1.5 million copies across available formats, the tenth-best-selling in November,[189][190] and the seventh-best-selling game overall in 2011.[182] Game-rental service GameFly announced that it was the most requested game of 2011, beating out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.[182]

Awards

[edit]

Batman: Arkham City won multiple awards at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards including: Character of the Year (Joker), Best Xbox 360 Game, Best Action Adventure Game, and Best Adapted Video Game; and received nominations for: Best Original Score, Best Graphics, Best Performance by a Human Female (Tara Strong), Best Performance by a Human Male (Mark Hamill), Trailer of the Year (Hugo Strange Reveal Trailer), Studio of the Year (Rocksteady), and Game of the Year.[191][192] During the AIAS' 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (now known as the D.I.C.E. Awards), Arkham City was awarded with Adventure Game of the Year;[193] it also received nominations for Game of the Year and outstanding achievement in Animation, Art Direction, Gameplay Engineering, and Game Direction.[194][195]

The 2012 British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) awards saw the game win two awards for Performer (Mark Hamill) and Action game,[196] and receive nominations for: Artistic Achievement; Audio Achievement; Best Game; Design; Original Music; Story; and the publicly voted GAME Award of 2011.[197] Paul Crocker, Paul Dini, and Sefton Hill were nominated for the Video Game Writing award by the Writers Guild of America,[198][199] and Crocker won the Best Videogame Script award from the Writers' Guild of Great Britain.[200] The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers awarded the game in the categories Control Design and Lighting/Texturing.[201] The game was also awarded as Outstanding Action / Adventure Game by the 16th Satellite Awards.[202] At the 2012 Develop Awards the game won in the category Use of a License[203] and the International 3D Society awarded the game in the category 3D Videogame – PC.[204] At the 5th Annual Cody Awards the game won in the category Best Licensed Game[205] and it was nominated in other categories (Game of the Year, Studio of the Year, Best Action-Adventure Game, Best Graphics).[206][207][208][209]

The Daily Telegraph awarded the game Best Original Score (Nick Arundel) and Game of the Year, with a statement that said: "as a video game, it's a magnificent piece of work, but it also shines as a unique, lovingly-crafted slice of Batman fiction."[210] The newspaper also nominated the game for: Best Director (Sefton Hill); Best Acting Performance (Mark Hamill and Nolan North); and Best Developer (Rocksteady Studios).[210] The game was nominated for Game of the Year and Best Game Design at the Game Developers Choice Awards,[182] and Game Audio Network Guild award's for Music of the Year, Best Soundtrack Album, Best Audio Mix, and Best Original Vocal – Choral for the track "Main Theme".[211] The game was named the Best Action/Adventure Game and Best Overall Game of 2011 as part of the 2011 Yahoo! Games Game of the Year awards.[212][213] Batman: Arkham City received several honors from GameTrailers, including Best Xbox 360 Game of the Year, Best PC Game of 2011, as well as Best Action/Adventure game.[214] It also won the Best Action-Adventure Game award at the 2012 Golden Joystick Awards, and was nominated for Top Gaming Moment for the game's ending, Best DLC for "Harley Quinn's Revenge", and the overall Ultimate Game of the Year.[215][216] It was nominated for Game of the Decade at the 2012 Spike Video Game Awards.[217]

According to Metacritic, the PlayStation 3 version of the game was the highest-rated game of 2011; and across all formats, the game was tied with the role-playing game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as the highest-rated game of 2011.[218] This also tied Arkham City for the sixth-highest-rated game ever.[219]

Batman: Arkham City appeared on several lists of the top video games of 2011, including these: number 1 by E! Online,[220][221] and CNET;[222] number 2 by Gamasutra,[223] CNN,[224] and Slant Magazine;[225] number 3 by Digital Spy,[226] Joystiq,[227] VentureBeat,[228] and Wired;[229] number 5 by the Associated Press,[230] and Time;[231] and number 10 by the Daily Mirror.[232]

Several international video game websites and magazines labeled Arkham City as their favorite Game of the Year[233][234][235][236][237][238][239][240] and as their favorite Action/Adventure Game.[241][242][243][244][245][246][247][248]

GameSpot labeled it the Best Action/Adventure Game as part of its Best of 2011 series,[249] Game Informer named it their Best Action/Adventure game of 2011 in their February 2012 issue, and highlighted specific points of the game including placing Batman number 1 on their list of the Top Ten Heroes, and the Mr. Freeze boss fight number 4 on their list of Top Ten Video Games Moments.[250] Always Game Informer labeled the game as Best Adventure Game on its Best of E3 2011 Awards.[251] PlayStation Official Magazine UK placed Batman: Arkham City as their number 2 Game Of the Year.[252] IGN labeled it as Best PC Action Game and as Best Overall Action Game of 2011 and the game won the IGN's People's Choice Awards for Best Xbox 360 Action Game and Best Xbox 360 Story.[253][254][255][256] At the Official Xbox Magazine Game of the Year 2011 Awards the game was awarded as Best Action-Adventure Game and became runner-up in the categories Best Story and Best Voice Acting.[257][258] DieHard GameFan awarded the game as Best Action Game and Game of the Year.[259] The BTVA Voice Acting Awards awarded the game in the categories Best Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game (Mark Hamill) and Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game.[260] The game also won in the category Best Interactive Animation at the Pulcinella Awards.[261] The game also won in two categories at the X-Play Awards 2011.[262] 1UP.com placed the game's main theme song as number 6 on its "Top 10 Theme Songs of 2011".[263] The game also won as Best Game at the Stan Lee Awards.[264] At the 2012 Digital Dragons Awards, the game won in the category European Game of the Year.[265]

In January 2012, Eurogamer listed it as the third-best game of 2012.[266] In November 2012, Time named it one of the 100 greatest video games of all time and said, "It's hard to imagine a better superhero game than Batman: Arkham City. It's also hard to imagine a better video game in general."[267] Also in November, Entertainment Weekly named it one of the ten best games of the past decade (2002–2012) and said, "this is the definitive superhero adventure of the decade."[268][269]

In 2013, Game Informer named it the best superhero game of all time,[270] and GamingBolt listing it at number 62 on its list of the 100 Greatest Video Games Ever Made.[271]

In 2014, Empire placed it at number 12 on its list of the 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time, ahead of Arkham Asylum at number 28.[272] PC Gamer named it the 68th-best PC Game,[273] and IGN named it the 24th-best PC game of the preceding decade,[274] and the 16th-best game of the contemporary console generation.[275]

In 2019, IGN listed it as the 54th-best video game of all time.[276] Metacritic, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, and IGN put the game among the best video games of the decade 2010–2019.[277][278][279][280]

In 2023, IGN Nordic placed the game 8th on its list of the best PS3 games of all time.[281]

List of awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2011 Game Critics Awards Best of Show Batman: Arkham City Nominated [282]
Best Action/Adventure Game Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Best Console Game Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Spike Video Game Awards Best Action Adventure Game Batman: Arkham City Won [191]
[192]
Best Adapted Video Game Batman: Arkham City Won
Best Graphics Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Best Original Score Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Best Performance by a Human Female Tara Strong (for Harley Quinn) Nominated
Best Performance by a Human Male Mark Hamill (for the Joker) Nominated
Studio of the Year Rocksteady Studios Nominated
Best Xbox 360 Game Batman: Arkham City Won
Character of the Year Joker Won
Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Trailer of the Year Hugo Strange Reveal Trailer Nominated
16th Satellite Awards Outstanding Action / Adventure Game Batman: Arkham City Won [283]
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated [201]
Control Design, 3D Batman: Arkham City Won
Game Design, Franchise Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Lighting/Texturing Batman: Arkham City Won
Game Sequel Action Batman: Arkham City Nominated
BTVA Voice Acting Awards Best Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game Corey Burton as Hugo Strange Nominated [284]
Best Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game Mark Hamill as the Joker Won
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Video Game Grey DeLisle-Griffin as Catwoman/Selina Kyle Nominated
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Video Game Tara Strong as Harley Quinn/Harleen Quinzel Nominated
Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game Batman: Arkham City Won
2012 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated [194]
[195]
[193]
Adventure Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Won
Outstanding Achievement in Animation Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Writers Guild of America Video Game Writing Paul Crocker (Lead Narrative Designer); Paul Dini, Paul Crocker, and Sefton Hill (Story) Nominated [198]
[199]
Develop Awards 2012 Use of a License Batman: Arkham City Won [203]
International 3D Society 3D Videogame – PC Batman: Arkham City Won [204]
Game Developers Choice Awards Best Game Design Batman: Arkham City Nominated [182]
Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Game Audio Network Guild Best Audio Mix Batman: Arkham City Nominated [211]
Best Original Vocal – Choral "Main Theme" Nominated
Best Soundtrack Album Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Music of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated
British Academy of Film and Television Action game Batman: Arkham City Won [197]
[196]
Artistic Achievement Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Audio Achievement Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Best Game Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Design Batman: Arkham City Nominated
GAME Award of 2011 Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Original Music Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Performer Mark Hamill (for the Joker) Won
Story Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Golden Joystick Awards Best Action-Adventure Batman: Arkham City Won [215]
[216]
Best DLC Batman: Arkham City for Harley Quinn's Revenge (Third Place) Nominated
The Golden Joystick Ultimate Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Nominated
Top Gaming Moment Batman: Arkham City for The Ending Nominated
Spike Video Game Awards Game of the Decade Batman: Arkham City Nominated [217]
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Best Videogame Script Paul Crocker Won [200]
Pulcinella Awards Best Interactive Animation Batman: Arkham City Won [285][286]
Digital Dragons Awards European Game of the Year Batman: Arkham City Won [287]

Technical issues

[edit]

During launch week, issues were found to exist in the code-restricted content. Some customers discovered the code to be missing from their copy, preventing them from obtaining the Catwoman story missions. The problem was reported by customers in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Warner Bros. issued a statement claiming that the missing codes had affected less than 0.5% of customers.[288] Upon release in the United Kingdom, a technical issue rendered the game unplayable for some players, booting them from the game with an error message that the "downloadable content is corrupt." Rocksteady European community manager Sarah Wellock claimed that the fault lay with the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live online systems.[289]

In early November 2011, Rocksteady confirmed that it was investigating reports by numerous users that save files for the Xbox 360 version of the game were being erased without prompting, resulting in players losing their progress and being unable to complete the game.[290][291] On launch, performance issues arose for the PC version when DirectX 11 features were enabled; the developer acknowledged the inconvenience and recommended running the game with DirectX 9 until a title update was released to address this matter.[292][293]

Sequels

[edit]
Main articles: Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Origins, the successor to Arkham City, was announced in April 2013. The game was developed by WB Games Montréal for PlayStation 3, Wii U, Windows, and Xbox 360, and was released on October 25, 2013. Set several years before the events of Arkham Asylum, Arkham Origins follows a younger and less experienced Batman on Christmas Eve on the streets of Gotham City as he faces off against eight deadly assassins. A separate title, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, was developed for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita by Armature Studios, and was released on the same day.[294][295] Dini stated that he would not be involved in writing a sequel. He had not been included in writing for any of Arkham City's 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.[296]

Batman: Arkham Knight, the successor to Arkham Origins, was announced in March 2014. Developed by Rocksteady for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, the game was released on June 23, 2015. Arkham Knight is set nine months after the events of Arkham City and follows Batman as he confronts an assault on Gotham City by the Scarecrow, and his ally, the Arkham Knight.[297][298][299]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Ported to Wii U by WB Games Montréal
  2. ^ Unreal Engine 4 was used for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One version.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Fletcher, JC (March 11, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City opens up for tourism October 18". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Parfitt, Ben (October 17, 2011). "Aussie retailers break Batman: Arkham City release date". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  3. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 11, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City release date". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  4. ^ Serrels, Mark (November 9, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Has An Australian Release Date For PC". Kotaku Australia. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c V., Alex (November 8, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City delayed for PC". New Game Network. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Purchese, Robert (October 18, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City PC release date". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  7. ^ Jenkins, David (December 10, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City – Armoured Edition review – gone batty". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  8. ^ Hillier, Brenna (November 30, 2012). "Wii U: Australian launch all smiles, balloons and sugar". VG247. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition". Nintendo. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Hiner, Kirk (December 12, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition hits OS X December 13th". TechnologyTell. GadgeTell LLC. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Cork, Jeff (September 6, 2016). "Comparison Video Shows How Batman: Return To Arkham Stacks Up To Originals". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Rosenberg, Adam (November 4, 2011). "'Batman: Arkham City' Offers A Load Screen-Free Outdoor Open World". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Donlan, Christian (March 11, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Preview". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  14. ^ "Batman: Arkham City". Epic Games. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  15. ^ Harman, Stace (October 19, 2011). "Dark Knight rises today – Batman: Arkham City hands-on". VG247. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d e Vore, Bryan (October 11, 2010). "Batman: Arkham City — Preview". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  17. ^ a b Vanini, Giancarlo (February 24, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Preview". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  18. ^ a b Vanini, Giancarlo (February 24, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Preview". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  19. ^ Musa, Alexander (November 26, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City". Prima Games. Random House. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  20. ^ Bischoff, Daniel (October 26, 2011). "5 Tips on How to Complete Batman: Arkham City's Combat Challenge Rooms". Game Revolution. Net Revolution Inc. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h Seid, Kurtis (October 19, 2011). "Batman Arkham City Walkthrough". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  22. ^ a b Petit, Carolyn (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  23. ^ Smith, Derrick (October 31, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Review". Game-Insider. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  24. ^ a b Clark, Matt (September 16, 2012). "'Batman: Arkham City' Includes Six New Gadgets, New Villain Deadshot". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  25. ^ a b c "Arkham City exposed: Batman's beautiful future". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  26. ^ a b Hoggins, Tom (October 14, 2011). "Batman Arkham City review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  27. ^ Stuart, Keith (May 18, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City and the art of narrative game design". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d Vore, Bryan (October 11, 2010). "Batman: Arkham City — Preview (Page 2)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  29. ^ a b c d e Totilo, Stephen (February 18, 2012). "Why Did Batman: Arkham City Have 440 Trophies?". Kotaku Australia. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  30. ^ a b Goldstein, Hilary (March 15, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – The Riddler's Return". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  31. ^ Narcisse, Evan (July 6, 2011). "Cat vs. Bat: Hands-on with 'Batman: Arkham City'". Time. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  32. ^ Frushtick, Russ (September 7, 2011). "'Batman: Arkham City' Getting New Game Plus Mode: How It Works". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  33. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (August 17, 2011). "Gamescom: Batman Arkham City's Challenge Modes". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  34. ^ Jenkins, David (August 25, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City 3D preview – the streets of Gotham". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  35. ^ a b Kaszor, Daniel (October 18, 2011). "Arkham City's misguided crusade against used-game sales". Financial Post. Canada: National Post. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  36. ^ a b c d e f Phillips, Tom (April 23, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC confirmed". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  37. ^ a b c Farivar, Cyrus (November 22, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City on PC is the version Gotham needs (and you deserve)". Ars Technica. Condé Nast Publications. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  38. ^ a b Goldstein, Hilary (June 2, 2011). "E3 2011: Batman: Arkham City -- Play as Catwoman". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  39. ^ Kollar, Phil (June 2, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  40. ^ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (October 11, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Catwoman DLC spotted in official strategy guide". Official Xbox Magazine. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  41. ^ a b c d Vore, Bryan (June 20, 2011). "First Look At Robin In Batman: Arkham City". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h Cowen, Nick (September 2, 2011). "Batman Arkham City interview: superhero development". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  43. ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 11, 2011). "Batman Nightwing release, price revealed". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  44. ^ a b c Miller, Greg (May 10, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City's Harley Quinn DLC Is What DLC Should Be". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  45. ^ a b Fletcher, JC (August 16, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City supports 3D whether you have a 3DTV or not". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  46. ^ "Darkworks TriOviz® for Games SDK Brings 3D Capabilities to Unreal Engine 3". Epic Games. October 6, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  47. ^ Warmoth, Brian (May 27, 2010). "'Batman: Arkham Asylum 2' To Be Mark Hamill's Last Joker Role". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  48. ^ a b Reilly, Jim (April 19, 2010). "Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 Will Be 'Really Dark'". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  49. ^ Plunkett, Luke (October 20, 2011). "Arkham City is (Maybe) Mark Hamill's Last Performance as The Joker". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  50. ^ Stapleton, Dan (June 19, 2015). "Batman: Arkham Knight Review - Good Luck And Good Knight". IGN. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i Carmichael, Stephanie (November 30, 2011). "The Heroes and Villains of Batman: Arkham City — Part Two". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  52. ^ a b c Carmichael, Stephanie (November 29, 2011). "The Heroes and Villains of Batman: Arkham City — Part One". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  53. ^ Wingert, Wally (March 28, 2010). "The Riddler confirmed for Arkham Asylum 2 (13m:50s)". 91.8 The fan (Audio). Interviewed by Florian, Jackie. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2012. I think they're starting to voice track Batman Arkham Asylum 2, which will be coming up pretty soon i think and it's all very exciting ... all I know is the Riddler has a few lines, so I'm gonna be back doing that pretty soon here ... getting to play the Riddler was pretty amazing.
  54. ^ Russell, Joe (August 1, 2011). "Bane to fight alongside Batman in Batman: Arkham City". PC Gamer. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  55. ^ a b c Gaudiosi, John (November 4, 2011). "The Actors Behind Batman: Arkham City Speak Out". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  56. ^ Senior, Tom (October 5, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City rogues gallery grows, Mad Hatter and Poison Ivy spotted, also Nightwing". PC Gamer. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  57. ^ Westbrook, Logan (July 26, 2011). "Batman/Catwoman Relationship Will Sizzle, Says Arkham City Writer". The Escapist. Alloy Digital. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  58. ^ a b Nguyen, Thierry (May 30, 2012). "Troy Baker, the industry's 'new' Nolan North". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  59. ^ Carsillo, Ray (November 3, 2011). "EGM Review Batman Arkham City Nightwing DLC". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  60. ^ Davis, Erik; Davidson, Joey (October 24, 2011). "Review — Batman: Arkham City". CraveOnline. AtomicMedia. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  61. ^ Dutton, Fred (May 18, 2012). "The secret of Nolan North's success". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  62. ^ Miller, Greg (July 21, 2011). "Comic-Con: Batman: Arkham City Reveals Talia al Ghul". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  63. ^ Houghton, David (April 20, 2010). "Two New Arkham Asylum 2 Characters Outed". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  64. ^ Fletcher, JC (October 5, 2011). "New Batman: Arkham City villain found in Qore". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  65. ^ Conditt, Jessica (September 16, 2011). "Batman finds new gadgets, a new villain in Arkham City". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  66. ^ Smiley, Brett (October 28, 2011). "6 Sexy Women Of 'Batman: Arkham City'". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  67. ^ MSP (January 9, 2013). Sac Anime 2013-Live from Arkham panel with Kevin Conroy and Grey Delisle. Event occurs at 14:24. Archived from the original on December 5, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2013 – via YouTube.
  68. ^ Mitha, Sameer (November 9, 2011). "Review: Batman Arkham City". NDTV. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  69. ^ Reeves, Ben (November 1, 2011). "The Ultimate List Of Batman: Arkham City Secrets". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  70. ^ Reeves, Ben (November 1, 2011). "The Ultimate List Of Batman: Arkham City Secrets (Page 3)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  71. ^ "Get Your Batman: Arkham City Questions Answered". IGN. J2 Global. September 5, 2011. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  72. ^ a b Narcisse, Evan (October 21, 2011). "The Surprising Stories That Connect Batman: Arkham City to Arkham Asylum". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  73. ^ a b Bradford, Matt (February 9, 2012). "Rocksteady dissects Batman: Arkham City's controversial ending". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  74. ^ Otero, Jose (October 14, 2011). "Interview: How Arkham City Goes From Opening Credits to Open World in Ten Minutes Flat". 1UP.com. News Corporation. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  75. ^ Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Opening. Hugo Strange: I feel I should thank you. Capturing Bruce Wayne is so much easier than Batman. And now that we have you, Protocol 10 is ready to begin. It will be my legacy, a monument to your failure... and if you try to stop me, I guarantee everyone will know your secret.
  76. ^ a b c Hamilton, Kirk (September 30, 2011). "The Joker Dies in the First Act of Arkham City (Or Does He?)". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  77. ^ Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Opening. Batman: It was all a lie. There's nothing wrong with you. / Joker: Nice of you to say. But you of all people should know there's plenty wrong with me. Take my blood for example. I wish somebody would. This stuff is killing me. / Batman: Why should I care? / Joker: Because now, there's a teeny little bit of me in you too, Bats. / [Batman looks at blood bag and IV drip by his side]
  78. ^ Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Mr Freeze: It's over. That was all I could manufacture. / Batman: Harley Quinn took it.
  79. ^ a b c Dinicola, Nick (January 26, 2012). "Batman Is Boring in 'Arkham City'". PopMatters. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  80. ^ Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Talia al Ghul: I had to save you. [Shows Batman a vial of antidote] Harley Quinn stole it for him, I took it back.
  81. ^ a b Dinicola, Nick (January 26, 2012). "Batman Is Boring in 'Arkham City'". PopMatters. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  82. ^ Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Batman: It was never you. / Joker: Not always... well, sometimes. Confusing, isn't it? I know I'd want to know just what the hell is going on if I were you. Let's just say, at times like these it's important to keep up appearances. But first, if you would be so kind... Hand. Over. My. Cure. / [the dead Joker transforms into Clayface] / Joker: Ladies and gentlemen, for one night only, standing in for yours truly, and doing a damn fine job of it, I give you... CLAYFACE!
  83. ^ Dan, Ryckert (August 9, 2010). "Finding The Asylum's Biggest Secret: Arkham City's Blueprints". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  84. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Batman: Arkham City". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  85. ^ a b Miller, Greg (February 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Gotham on Lockdown". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  86. ^ a b Douglas, Jane (July 14, 2010). "Arkham Asylum art director talks mistakes". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  87. ^ Totilo, Stephen (March 7, 2011). "The Dark Knight, Too Triumphant?". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on June 12, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  88. ^ Minkley, Johnny (September 7, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Preview". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  89. ^ a b Miller, Greg (February 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Gotham on Lockdown (Page 2)". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  90. ^ a b "'The ending was almost taboo' - Rocksteady looks back on Arkham City". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  91. ^ Clark, Matt (June 7, 2011). "'Batman: Arkham City' Artist Explains The Look Of Robin, New Art". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  92. ^ Grayson, Nathan (March 16, 2011). "The Dark Knight Returns: Rocksteady riddles Arkham City". VG247. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  93. ^ Carsillo, Ray (March 8, 2012). "GDC 2012: The Art and Design of Batman: Arkham City". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  94. ^ Fritz, Ben (October 18, 2011). "Warner's approach to video games is paying off". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  95. ^ Cheshire, Tom (April 10, 2012). "Hotter than Hollywood". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  96. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City — Original Videogame Score". WaterTower Music. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  97. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City – The Album". WaterTower Music. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  98. ^ Phillips, Tom (September 7, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City The Album revealed". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  99. ^ "iTunes – Music – Batman: Arkham City (Deluxe Edition) by various artists". iTunes. Apple Inc. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  100. ^ a b c Peterson, Steve (April 19, 2012). "Skyrim and Batman: Arkham City: Inside The Marketing". GamesIndustry.biz. Eurogamer Network. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  101. ^ Westbrook, Logan (July 26, 2011). "Strange Recordings Kick Off Arkham City Viral Campaign". The Escapist. Alloy Digital. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  102. ^ "Batman: Arkham City Comic Book First Look". Gamespot. CBS Interactive. April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  103. ^ "Batman: Arkham City comic book miniseries announced!". DC Comics. Warner Bros. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  104. ^ Graser, Marc (October 13, 2012). "'Batman: Arkham City' game widens franchise". Variety. PMC. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  105. ^ Marshall, Rick (October 7, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City to get early release at Times Square event". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  106. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 22, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City PC, OnLive, Origin release details". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  107. ^ a b c Narcisse, Evan (April 23, 2012). ""Harley Quinn's Revenge" Coming With the Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  108. ^ Phillips, Tom (September 19, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City GOTY Edition delayed until 2nd November in UK". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  109. ^ a b Crecente, Brian (December 7, 2011). "Take on Deathstroke in This Surprise Batman: Arkham City Game". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  110. ^ Crecente, Brian (December 8, 2011). "Batman's Return to Arkham City is Triumphant, But Short". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  111. ^ a b Thomas, Archie (September 2, 2011). "Gaming Weekly – Batman Arkham City Pre-order Bonuses, Red Dead Free DLC and Resident Evil's new Google ads". Gadget Helpline. TMTI. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  112. ^ Girgenti, Jim (August 2, 2011). "Batman Arkham City – All Pre-Order Costumes". Gaming Bolt. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  113. ^ McElroy, Griffin (October 14, 2011). "Drink NOS, get a Batman Beyond skin for Arkham City". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  114. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (August 1, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City pre-order skins look awesome". PC Gamer. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  115. ^ Schramm, Mike (September 19, 2011). "Arkham City's Animated Series Batman skin is exclusive for GameStop PowerUp Rewards members". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  116. ^ Mallory, Jordan (October 8, 2011). "Green Lantern Extended Cut Blu-Ray combo pack to include Batman: Arkham City Sinestro Corps skin". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  117. ^ McCutcheon, David (August 23, 2011). "Green Lantern BD Offers Batman: Arkham City Surprise". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  118. ^ Miller, Greg (August 22, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – Robin Skins, Mr. Wayne News". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  119. ^ Miller, Greg (June 13, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – Why Robin DLC Is Good News". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  120. ^ "Review — Batman: AC Challenge Map Pack". 360 Gamer. Uncooked Media. December 21, 2011. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  121. ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 17, 2011). "Batman Sinestro Corps skin UK details". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  122. ^ Ivan, Tom (September 1, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – Robin Edition exclusive to GAME". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  123. ^ Gilbert, Ben (July 29, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City 'Steelbook Edition' exclusive to Australian EB Games, comes with classic costume". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  124. ^ "Batman: Arkham City Skins: UK Pre-Order Content Explained". NowGamer. October 17, 2011. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  125. ^ Clark, Matt (July 19, 2011). "'Batman: Arkham City' Collector's Edition Gets Statue, Other Bat-stuff". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  126. ^ "Batman: Arkham City Collectors Edition Details". Game Breakers. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  127. ^ Smith, Quinton (June 16, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Will Use GFWL". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  128. ^ Yin Poole, Wesley (August 30, 2011). "Warner: Batman AC IS a GFWL title". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  129. ^ Plunkett, Luke (August 30, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City is Using Games For Windows Live (Boo!)". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  130. ^ "Steam :: Batman: Arkham City GOTY :: Important Batman Arkham Announcement". store.steampowered.com. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  131. ^ "[Guide] Games for Windows Live (GFWL), Steam, Windows 10 and You". Microsoft Community. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  132. ^ Batchelor, James (October 25, 2011). "Batman Xbox bundles available now". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  133. ^ Hannley, Steve (April 23, 2012). "Worst Cover Art Ever: Batman Arkham City GOTY Edition". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  134. ^ Reilly, Jim. "Arkham City Box Art Gone Wrong". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  135. ^ Killham, Evan (May 22, 2012). "Arkham City's Game of the Year box art is slightly less horrible in the UK (images)". Venture Beat. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  136. ^ a b Navarro, Alex (October 31, 2011). "Warner Bros. Insists that All Catwomen Be Paid for New and Be Connected to the Internet". Giant Bomb. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  137. ^ Fahey, Mike (October 14, 2011). "Don't Fret Used Gamers, GameStop Gives Used Buyers Free Catwoman Codes". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  138. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 13, 2011). "Batman online pass unlocks Catwoman". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  139. ^ Good, Owen (October 23, 2011). "A Guide to Batman's Arkham City Wardrobe". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  140. ^ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (October 11, 2011). "Nightwing joins Batman: Arkham City DLC line-up, Robin DLC pack dated". Official Xbox Magazine. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  141. ^ Russell, Joe (October 11, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Robin and Nightwing DLC detailed". PC Gamer. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on January 1, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  142. ^ Good, Owen (October 23, 2011). "A Guide to Batman's Arkham City Wardrobe". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  143. ^ Narcisse, Evan (November 27, 2011). "Just in Time for Christmas, the Batcave Will Be Arkham City's Newest Challenge Map". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  144. ^ Fletcher, JC (December 20, 2011). "Free Batman: Arkham City skin, unlock code offered as a 'thank you,' new DLC for sale". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  145. ^ Dutton, Fred (October 24, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City iOS map app released". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  146. ^ a b Miller, Greg (May 29, 2012). "Batman Arkham City Harley Quinn's Revenge Review". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  147. ^ "Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition for Wii U". Business Wire. June 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  148. ^ a b Alexander, Julia (May 18, 2016). "Batman: Return to Arkham remaster coming to PS4, Xbox One this July". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  149. ^ Futter, Mike (May 18, 2016). "Batman: Return To Arkham Is Real, With Both Games Using Unreal Engine 4". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  150. ^ Phillips, Tom (May 18, 2016). "Finally, the Batman: Return to Arkham collection is official". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  151. ^ Futter, Mike (June 28, 2016). "Batman: Return To Arkham Gets Indefinite Delay". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  152. ^ Plant, Logan (June 21, 2023). "Batman: Arkham Trilogy Is Coming to Nintendo Switch". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  153. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City (PlayStation 3) reviews at". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  154. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City (Xbox 360) reviews at". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  155. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City (PC) reviews at". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  156. ^ a b "Batman: Arkham City — Armored Edition". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. November 18, 2012. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  157. ^ Nguyen, Thierry (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Reaffirms Itself as The Best Superhero Game". 1UP.com. News Corporation. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  158. ^ Carsillo, Ray (October 18, 2011). "Egm Review: Batman: Arkham City". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  159. ^ a b Donlan, Christian (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  160. ^ a b Reiner, Andrew (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  161. ^ Herring, Will (October 14, 2011). "GamePro – Review: Batman: Arkham City (360/PS3)". GamePro. PC World. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  162. ^ Petit, Caroyln (October 18, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  163. ^ a b Miller, Greg (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  164. ^ a b McElroy, Griffin (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City review: A world of difference". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  165. ^ Hurley, Leon. "Batman Arkham City review – Official PlayStation Magazine UK gives it 10/10 and a gold award". PlayStation Official Magazine. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  166. ^ Cohen, Corey (October 17, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City review". Official Xbox Magazine. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  167. ^ Wishnov, Jason (October 14, 2011). "G4 – Batman: Arkham City Review – Xbox 360". G4. G4 Media. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  168. ^ "Most critically acclaimed superhero videogame". Guinness World Records. March 4, 2014. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  169. ^ Stuart, Keith (March 4, 2014). "Batman: Arkham Knight announced". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  170. ^ Cowen, Nick (October 14, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  171. ^ Pakinkis, Tom (October 2, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City review – 10/10 in world's first verdict". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  172. ^ Pakinkis, Tom (October 5, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City review – 'The best superhero game ever made,' claims new verdict". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  173. ^ Parfitt, Ben (October 2011). "First Batman: Arkham City review points to GOTY contender". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  174. ^ Leadbetter, Richard (November 27, 2012). "Face-Off: Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition on Wii U". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  175. ^ Carsillo, Ray (November 18, 2012). "EGM Review Batman Arkham City—Armored Edition". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  176. ^ a b Barnett, Patrick (November 24, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  177. ^ Fletcher, JC (November 18, 2012). "Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition review: Wonderful toys". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  178. ^ Peterson, Blake (November 27, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City: Armored Edition Review". Game Revolution. Net Revolution Inc. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  179. ^ Donlan, Christian (May 31, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City — Harley Quinn's Revenge Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  180. ^ Totilo, Stephen (May 29, 2012). "Harley Quinn's Revenge is Batman: Arkham City's Bad New Ending". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  181. ^ Fritz, Ben (October 25, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City sells 2 million copies in first week". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  182. ^ a b c d e Makuch, Eddie (February 8, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City ships 6 million". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  183. ^ "Top 10 PS3 Games -Charts 16/10/11 to 22/10/11". MCV. Intent Media. October 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  184. ^ "Top 10 Xbox 360 Games -Charts 16/10/11 to 22/10/11". MCV. Intent Media. October 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  185. ^ "UKIE Week 42 2011 UK Video Games Charts – Week Ending 22 October 2011". The UK Interactive Entertainment Association. October 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  186. ^ Parfitt, Ben (October 24, 2011). "UK CHARTS: Batman Arkham City is the new No.1". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  187. ^ "Best selling games of 2011: Modern Warfare 3 outguns the opposition". The Guardian. January 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  188. ^ Ivan, Tom (January 14, 2013). "UK: The 100 best-selling games of 2012 revealed". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  189. ^ Dutton, Fred (November 12, 2011). "Battlefield 3, Arkham City dominate October US sales". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012.
  190. ^ Dutton, Fred (December 9, 2011). "Modern Warfare 3, Skyrim dominate crowded November US sales chart". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  191. ^ a b Clark, Matt (November 17, 2011). "'Batman: Arkham City' Nominated For 10 Spike Video Game Awards". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  192. ^ a b Grant, Christopher (December 10, 2011). "Here are the winners of the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  193. ^ a b "15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Finalists and Winners" (PDF). Interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. February 9, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  194. ^ a b Hinkle, David (January 12, 2012). "Uncharted 3 leads AIAS 2011 award nominations". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  195. ^ a b "15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Finalist" (PDF). Interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  196. ^ a b "Video games Baftas 2012: winners in full". BBC News. March 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  197. ^ a b "Video Games Awards Nominations in 2012". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  198. ^ a b Tassi, Paul (February 21, 2012). "The WGA's Baffling Video Game Writing Award". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  199. ^ a b Tan, Maurice (January 12, 2012). "And the WGA Videogame Writing Award nominees are ..." Destructoid. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  200. ^ a b "Steven Moffat honoured at Writers' Guild Awards". BBC News. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  201. ^ a b "2011 Awards | NAVGTR". Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  202. ^ "2011 | Categories | International Press Academy". Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  203. ^ a b Martin, Liam (July 12, 2012). "Develop Industry award winners in full". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  204. ^ a b "International 3D Society Bestows 28 Awards at 3rd Annual Creative Arts Ceremony in Los Angeles". MCADCafe. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  205. ^ "CheatCC's Cody Awards 2011: The Best Licensed Game of the Year Winner!". www.cheatcc.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  206. ^ "CheatCC's Cody Awards 2011: The Best Studio of the Year Nominees!". www.cheatcc.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  207. ^ "CheatCC's Cody Awards 2011: The Best Game of the Year Nominees!". www.cheatcc.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  208. ^ "CheatCC's Cody Awards 2011: The Best Action/Adventure Game of the Year Nominees!". www.cheatcc.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  209. ^ "CheatCC's Cody Awards 2011: The Best Video Game Graphics of the Year Nominees!". www.cheatcc.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  210. ^ a b "Telegraph video game awards 2011". The Daily Telegraph. December 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  211. ^ a b Schramm, Mike (February 9, 2012). "GANG announces nominations for 10th annual awards in game audio". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  212. ^ "Game of the Year Awards 2011 – Best Action/Adventure Game". Yahoo! Games. 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  213. ^ "Game of the Year Awards 2011 – Best Overall Game of 2011". Yahoo! Games. 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  214. ^ DeMaro, Rocco (January 2, 2012). "GameTrailers 2011 Game of the Year Awards Announced". GameTrailers.com. Viacom. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  215. ^ a b Reynolds, Matthew (August 23, 2012). "Golden Joystick Awards 2012 public voting now open". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  216. ^ a b Martin, Liam (October 26, 2012). "'Skyrim' voted 'Game of the Year' at 2012 Golden Joystick Awards". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  217. ^ a b Franich, Darren (November 28, 2012). "The 10 Best Videogames of the Last Decade: Vote for your favorite, and watch it announced live at Spike's VGA Awards!". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  218. ^ Dietz, Jason (December 23, 2011). "The Best Videogames of 2011". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  219. ^ "Highest and Lowest Scoring Games". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  220. ^ "Top 10 Games of 2011". E!. NBCUniversal. December 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  221. ^ Totilo, Stephen (December 19, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City is E Online's Game of the Year". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  222. ^ Bakalar, Jeff (December 15, 2011). "1. Batman: Arkham City (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 20, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  223. ^ "Gamasutra's Best Of 2011: Top 10 Games of the Year". Gamasutra. UBM plc. December 23, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  224. ^ Frum, Larry (December 23, 2011). "The top 10 video games of 2011 | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  225. ^ Staff, Slant (December 11, 2011). "The 25 Best Video Games of 2011". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  226. ^ Reynolds, Matthew (December 27, 2011). "Digital Spy's Games of 2011: Entries 5-1". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  227. ^ Mitchell, Richard (January 4, 2012). "Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Skyrim". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  228. ^ "The DeanBeat: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception tops our list of the 10 best games of 2011". VentureBeat. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  229. ^ Kohler, Chris (December 20, 2011). "The 20 Best Videogames of 2011". Wired. Condé Nast Publications. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  230. ^ Kesten, Lou (December 19, 2011). "'Portal 2,' 'Skyrim' top a thrilling year in games". Times Union. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  231. ^ Narcisse, Evan (December 7, 2011). "Top 10 Video Games". Time. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  232. ^ Lynch, Kevin (December 23, 2011). "Portal 2, The Witcher 2 and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception ... the top 10 video games of 2011". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  233. ^ "Ten of the best games of 2011". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  234. ^ "Best Games of 2011 - Winner | GameDynamo". www.gamedynamo.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  235. ^ "Editor's Choice 2011: Die Top 10 Spiele des Jahres". Gameswelt (in German). January 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  236. ^ "Τα καλύτερα παιχνίδια του 2011 | Game20.gr". Game20.gr, το Άσυλο των gamers (in Greek). December 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  237. ^ Persiani, Davide (December 31, 2011). "Eurogamer.it Awards 2011. Ecco a voi i vincitori! • Pagina 2". Eurogamer.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  238. ^ "The Top 10 Video Games Of The Year (LIST)". Global Grind. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  239. ^ "Games of the year". Stuff. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  240. ^ Moorhouse, Ed (January 6, 2012). "WhatCulture's 2011 Game Of The Year". WhatCulture.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  241. ^ "PressFire.no". PressFire.no. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  242. ^ "2011 Game of the Year Winners". Just Push Start. December 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  243. ^ Assassin; scoundrel; Honcho, Head (December 30, 2011). "Nerd Reactor's Best of 2011 Video Game Awards". Nerd Reactor. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  244. ^ Camilleri, Alex (December 20, 2011). "PlayStation Bit Video Game Awards 2011". PlayStationBit 4.0 (in Italian). Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  245. ^ "Top PC Action Game 2011 - VideoGamer.com". Archived from the original on November 15, 2019.
  246. ^ "Strategy Informer's Game of the Year 2011 | GameWatcher". www.gamewatcher.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  247. ^ Dobra, Andrei (December 30, 2011). "GOTY 2011: Best Action Adventure Game – Batman: Arkham City". softpedia. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  248. ^ "Speciale Everyeye Awards 2011 - I Vincitori". Everyeye Videogiochi (in Italian). Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  249. ^ "Best Action/Adventure Game". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  250. ^ "Games of 2011". Game Informer. GameStop. January 2012. p. 58.
  251. ^ Ryckert, Dan. "Game Informer's Best Of E3 2011 Awards". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  252. ^ Blaine, Louise (December 22, 2011). "Official PlayStation Magazine UK's GOTY No 2: Batman Arkham City". PlayStation Official Magazine. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  253. ^ Best of 2011 Wiki Guide - IGN, May 23, 2011, archived from the original on May 19, 2020, retrieved March 17, 2020
  254. ^ "Best PC Action Game". IGN. News Corporation. 2011. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  255. ^ Best Xbox 360 Story - Best of 2011 Wiki Guide - IGN, December 17, 2011, archived from the original on May 19, 2020, retrieved March 19, 2020
  256. ^ Best Action Game - Best of 2011 Wiki Guide - IGN, December 2011, archived from the original on May 19, 2020, retrieved April 19, 2020
  257. ^ "OXM Game of the Year 2011 Awards: Developer and Technical Awards". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  258. ^ "OXM Game of the Year 2011 Awards: Best in Genre". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  259. ^ Lucard, Alex (January 9, 2012). "Diehard GameFAN's 2011 Video Game Awards". Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  260. ^ "2011 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  261. ^ Sagramati, Simone (April 3, 2012). "Batman Arkham City vince il premio "Miglior Animazione Interattiva" dei Pulcinella Awards 2012". Techzilla.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  262. ^ "G4's "X-PLAY" ANNOUNCES WINNERS FOR THE NINTH ANNUAL "X-PLAY BEST OF 2011 AWARDS"". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  263. ^ Roman, Vic (November 22, 2011). "Top 10 Theme Songs of 2011". 1UP.com. News Corporation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  264. ^ Tilly, Chris (May 19, 2012). "Batman: Arkham City Bags Stan Lee Award". IGN. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  265. ^ "DD Awards - Digital Dragons Conference Digital Dragons Awards". Digital Dragons Conference. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  266. ^ "Eurogamer Readers' Top 50 Games of 2011". Eurogamer. January 1, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  267. ^ "All-Time 100 Video Games". Time. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on November 18, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  268. ^ Franich, Darren (November 28, 2012). "10 Best Videogames Since 2002". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  269. ^ "Entertainment Weekly Picked The 10 Best Games Of the Past 10 Years. Be Happy. Be Angry. Vote?". Kotaku. Gawker Media. November 29, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  270. ^ Reeves, Ben (December 19, 2013). "The Best Superhero Games Of All Time". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  271. ^ Philip, Rohan (April 19, 2013). "Top 100 greatest video games ever made: 62. Batman: Arkham City". GamingBolt. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  272. ^ "12 - Batman: Arkham City". Empire. August 2014. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  273. ^ "The PC Gamer Top 100". PC Gamer. August 30, 2014. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  274. ^ "The Top 25 Modern Pc Games". IGN. News Corporation. August 6, 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  275. ^ "Top 100 Games of a Generation: #16 - Batman: Arkham City". IGN Australia. J2 Global. 2014. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  276. ^ Graeber, Brendan (2019). "Top 100 Video Games of All Time - Batman: Arkham City". IGN. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  277. ^ "Best Video Games of the Decade (2010-19)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  278. ^ "Mass Effect 2 - The Best Games of the Decade". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  279. ^ Kain, Erik. "The Best — And Most Important — Video Games Of The Decade". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 5, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  280. ^ The Best Games of the Decade (2010 - 2019) - IGN, December 31, 2019, archived from the original on February 3, 2020, retrieved February 2, 2020
  281. ^ "The Best PS3 Games of All Time". IGN Nordic. November 2, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  282. ^ Matt Bradford (June 23, 2011). "Game Critics E3 Award nominees announced, BioShock Infinite and Uncharted 3 lead the pack". Games Radar. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  283. ^ "2011 | Categories | International Press Academy". Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  284. ^ "2011 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  285. ^ Sagramati, Simone (April 3, 2012). "Batman Arkham City vince il premio "Miglior Animazione Interattiva" dei Pulcinella Awards 2012". Techzilla.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  286. ^ "Cartoons on the Bay - Pulcinella Awards (2011)". IMDb. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  287. ^ "DD Awards - Digital Dragons Conference Digital Dragons Awards". Digital Dragons Conference. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  288. ^ Dutton, Fred (October 20, 2011). "Arkham City DLC launch mishap". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  289. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 21, 2011). "Gamers report Batman DLC corruption". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  290. ^ Downin, Jonathan (November 14, 2011). "Arkham City dev investigating disappearing Xbox 360 saves". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  291. ^ Bradford, Matt (November 15, 2011). "Warner Bros seeking help to solve Batman: Arkham City 360 glitch". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  292. ^ Winchester, Henry (November 24, 2011). "Arkham City's DirectX 11 support is some kind of joker". PC Gamer. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  293. ^ Walton, Jarred (November 23, 2011). "Batman: Arkham City—New Villain DX11 Man on PCs!". AnandTech. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  294. ^ Vore, Bryan (April 9, 2013). "May Cover Revealed: Batman: Arkham Origins". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  295. ^ Schreier, Jason (April 9, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins Is Coming This Fall". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  296. ^ Gilbert, Ben (August 6, 2012). "Paul Dini explains absence from next Batman game". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  297. ^ Parfitt, Ben (March 4, 2014). "UPDATE: Retailer outs Batman Arkham Knight". MCV. Intent Media. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  298. ^ Moriarty, Colin (March 4, 2014). "The New Batman Game is Batman: Arkham Knight". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  299. ^ Krupa, Daniel (March 27, 2014). "Batman Arkham Knight: What You Really Need To Know". IGN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Batman: Arkham City.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Batman:_Arkham_City&oldid=1255463854"