Rocksteady Studios, the renowned developer behind the Batman: Arkham series, is reportedly working on a new single-player Batman game.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the studio aims to return to its roots after the underwhelming performance of its recent live-service title, “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.” The new Batman project is still in its early stages and is “years away from landing.”
This development comes amid significant changes within Warner Bros. Games. David Haddad, the president of the gaming division, is stepping down after a 12-year tenure. Haddad will remain for the next three months to ensure a smooth transition while a replacement is found. During his leadership, the company released notable titles such as “Hogwarts Legacy” and “Mortal Kombat 1.”
The decision to pivot back to a single-player format reflects lessons learned from recent projects. “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” faced criticism and did not meet sales expectations, leading to a reevaluation of the live-service model.
In contrast, Rocksteady’s earlier Batman titles, including “Arkham Asylum” and “Arkham City,” received critical acclaim for their engaging narratives and gameplay. These successes have set high expectations for the upcoming project.
Meanwhile, WB’s gaming division has also faced other challenges. “Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions” did not replicate the success of “Hogwarts Legacy,” and MultiVersus is concluding its fifth and final season, after over 90% drop in userbase. Reports also stated that the upcoming “Wonder Woman” game is going through a reboot after a change in director, despite over $100 million already invested.
As Rocksteady ventures on this new Batman project, fans are hopeful for a return to the immersive single-player experiences that defined the Arkham series.