WB Games Montreal revealed Gotham Knights last year to a relatively good response from DC Comics fans. However, hardcore fans of the Batman: Arkham trilogy of games were concerned about the game’s multiple playable characters and co-op. The development team has since assuaged fears about any kind of level-gating (and the game is completely playable solo).
But what motivated the team’s urge to take this approach in the first place? Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal, narrative designer and writer Mitch Dyer though it offered a “fresh, unique take” on the established DC-verse. “Shifting the focus to be about these characters in the aftermath of this pivotal death that is important to all of them, the framework of this story is unique. Having this very fresh, unique take on the DC Universe makes it approachable and engaging in a way that is instantly gratifying to me.”
The story starts with Batman’s apparent death and the Court of Owls vying for control over Gotham. But otherwise, it’s a fairly new tale and doesn’t tie into any previous Batman: Arkham titles. In that sense, it could be easier for DC Comics fans to jump in.
Dyer’s experience includes working on the narrative for EA Motive Studio’s Star Wars: Squadrons. What attracted him to this project in the first place? Once again, it goes back to the core premise. “I was attracted to the project because I was a fan of it [when it was announced at DC FanDome in August 2020]. The idea of playing four different characters in an open world in a setting where Bruce Wayne has died, that is extremely compelling to me.”
Gotham Knights is currently slated to release this year and will be coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
