Pandemic Making Batman Game

[notjackbauer]

IGN reports that Pandemic is making a Batman game, most likely a tie-in to The Dark Knight. What do you think, will this suck as much as most movie tie-ins? Or might Dark Knight actually get a video game worthy of its name?

April 2, 2008 - Never one to turn down a good movie tie-in by way of a brand-new videogame, IGN has learned that EA has indeed tapped Pandemic to create a new Batman title. We first reported this as a strong rumor back in May of 2007, but now we know it's happening for sure. Elevation Partners, who were owners of Pandemic and BioWare until the EA purchase, had gained the videogame rights to the franchise. We had rumored last year that EA would publish the title, but now that EA owns the aforementioned companies, the publishing aspect was a given. Unfortunately, we don't have any specific platforms, a release date or even an official title, but given EA's history, we'd expect the game to be called The Dark Knight, released this July alongside the film, and hit just about every platform known to human kind.

[Marty Chinn]

I'm betting it won't turn out well due to strict deadline to tie in with the movie. Sad too. I've actually, for fun, have been working on just a general concept for a Batman game because the movie inspired me to do so. I was planning on just posting my notes when I fleshed it out more and it might be a fun little what if that GAF can all just contribute to and then we can sigh and realize it'll never happen.

[DMczaf]

IGN took the story down. It now says "Canceled. Thanks!"

WTF

[shagg_187]

IGN took the story down. It now says "Canceled. Thanks!" WTF

Someone Triologied IGN. Screenshot please! Now!

Lack of link in OP disturbes me!

[GauntletFan]

Someone Triologied IGN. Screenshot please! Now! Lack of link in OP disturbes me!

No, they didn't.

[BastardSamurai]

Whoever makes the next Batman game should just steal the Assassin's Creed engine and re-do the art and flavor text.

[Marty Chinn]

Whoever makes the next Batman game should just steal the Assassin's Creed engine and re-do the art and flavor text.

You and I think alike =) Although I wanted to expand it further to take advantage of his grapple.

[GCQuinton]

I wouldn't be shocked if this game doesn't go the Superman Returns route and come out with the DVD/Blu-Ray later this year. We'd have heard something on this by now if it was coming out alongside the movie.

[notjackbauer]

Lack of link in OP disturbes me!

sorry, forgot. but i guess it wouldn't matter since it's disappeared now... weird. Assassin's Creed + grappling hook + MGS-style gadgets menu seems like a good start to me.

[DrBo42]

I want them to really focus on the detective aspect rather than the shit fest kung fu bullshit that has plagued any Batman games. Maybe something like the Condemned investigation sections.

[jeffbax]

They are already making Saboteur which looks to be far more interesting than any EA-licensed shovelware (and also very "batman-esque"...)

[Marty Chinn]

I want them to really focus on the detective aspect rather than the shit fest kung fu bullshit that has plagued any Batman games. Maybe something like the Condemned investigation sections.

Again, you guys are thinking what I'm thinking. =) I should just post my notes up when I get home and we can just discuss an awesome concept =)

[BrandNew]

I thought this was already known a few months back?

[grandjedi6]

The same thing happened for "Skate it" just now. Was the link from IGN UK? I think an editor let the beans slip on alot of games

[The-Switcher]

EA also published the last Superman game.....

[DrBo42]

EA also published the last Superman game.....

It was made by the Madden guys though wasn't it?

[notjackbauer]

I want them to really focus on the detective aspect rather than the shit fest kung fu bullshit that has plagued any Batman games.

yes, that would be awesome. really i want an open world batman game, which is probably too much to ask. anything short of that will disappoint me.

never played superman returns- really all that bad?

[Kiriku]

Based on what I know, this would make a lot of sense. :P

[JB1981]

Please use the Assassin's Creed engine.

PlzKThx.

[Ravidrath]

This is by Pandemic Australia, BTW, the team that did the Destroy All Humans games.

[Andokuky]

An open world sandbox Batman game with a dark, mature setting would be awesome.

[Andokuky]

This is by Pandemic Australia, BTW, the team that did the Destroy All Humans games.

Hype dead, confirmed.

[raYne]

yes, that would be awesome. really i want an open world batman game, which is probably too much to ask. anything short of that will disappoint me. never played superman returns- really all that bad?

It's a good "Superman game". Compared to the other Superman games anyway, but it's a bad actual game. Almost nothing to do with the movie, shallow gameplay and a total lack of variety when it comes to missions and such.

Though it has swarms of Fire/Ice Dragons for you to fight...

Exactly.

This is by Pandemic Australia, BTW, the team that did the Destroy All Humans games.

So we shouldn't get our hopes up then? Done. :/

[nestea]

Why don't they get Batman to make it?

[Router]

Why don't they get Batman to make it?

No prep time if they want it out with the movie.

[~Devil Trigger~]

so Batman is gonna blow everything up

...danm

[DrBo42]

No prep time if they want it out with the movie.

This would be much more on the radar if it was coming out with the movie. It's only a few months away. All we have is a shaky 3rd party confirmation at this point and to me that is a definite no to day of theatrical release.

[Nobiru]

Ubisoft should make Batman with the Assassins Creed engine imo. that would be awesom-o.

[DrBo42]

Ubisoft should make Batman with the Assassins Creed engine imo. that would be awesom-o.

We could get Jade to dress up as Bat girl to promote it. And then you woke up.

[Nobiru]

:(

[Rlan]

Don't they have LEGO Batman ready for Film release?

[Bebpo]

Is Pandemic the guys who made Mercenaries?

[Linkzg]

This is by Pandemic Australia, BTW, the team that did the Destroy All Humans games.

Those games arent bad, so I have hope.

[raYne]

Is Pandemic the guys who made Mercenaries?

Yes, but this isn't the same group.

I'd guess that most of that team is busy with Merc 2.

[DrBo42]

Is Pandemic the guys who made Mercenaries?

I think so.

Edit: Beaten.

[Pimpbaa]

This is by Pandemic Australia, BTW, the team that did the Destroy All Humans games.

Wish they were working on the 360/ps3 destroy all humans game :/

[boutrosinit]

Yes, but this isn't the same group. I'd guess that most of that team is busy with Merc 2.

And every other team in that studio.

[Router]

Whats with the DaH hate?

[Yoboman]

They make fun playground/sandbox type games. But I really don't want Batman to be one of those. Stealth game pl0x

[Skenzin]

No hype for me. I can count good movie tie-in games on one hand.

1. Festers Quest (not a movie I know)
2. Batman '89 for the Genesis (thats megadrive for the pretentious)
3. Riddick xbox (came out in what 2003? damn time flies)
4. Ghostbusters : Genesis version

Cant remember many more.... Home Alone for the SNES was the beginning of the end.

[Salazar]

My strongest images of Batman are of old-style Batman out in the ocean, clinging on to a buoy with Robin while the (sonically attracted) sharks circle, and of the cartoon Dark Knight breaking down a heist (art gallery, museum) on a skyscraper roof - taking a few punches - and skidding backwards, perhaps winded a little - but then coming out on top.

A game that plays to either sense would be lovely.

[Yoboman]

No hype for me. I can count good movie tie-in games on one hand. 1. Festers Quest (not a movie I know) 2. Batman '89 for the Genesis (thats megadrive for the pretentious) 3. Riddick xbox (came out in what 2003? damn time flies) 4. Ghostbusters : Genesis version Cant remember many more.... Home Alone for the SNES was the beginning of the end.

Scarface, Godfather, Incredible Hulk UD, the Warriors disagree

[Ravidrath]

Wish they were working on the 360/ps3 destroy all humans game :/

Destroy All Humans is the one recent Pandemic game they didn't retain the IP of - THQ owns it, so that's not possible.

[Spike]

This has been known for quite a while.

[FoneBone]

wasn't the rumor that it wouldn't be out until the DVD hits in the fall?

[Spike]

wasn't the rumor that it wouldn't be out until the DVD hits in the fall?

Yeah.

[Mistouze]

No hype for me. I can count good movie tie-in games on one hand. 1. Festers Quest (not a movie I know) 2. Batman '89 for the Genesis (thats megadrive for the pretentious) 3. Riddick xbox (came out in what 2003? damn time flies) 4. Ghostbusters : Genesis version Cant remember many more.... Home Alone for the SNES was the beginning of the end.

Megadrive Aladin, but I'm not sure if it qualifies as its material source is animation but still.

[I AM JOHN!]

How many fucking studios do these guys have?

They're making Mercenaries 2, Saboteur, and now a Batman game? What the hell?

[gketter]

I would love it if one game developer could make a batman game that truly rocked and encompassed all the aspects of the character.

The batman games always just turn into watered down action games that just happen to have batman as a character. Give me awesome stealthy action, over the top action, and a gadget here and there. But more importantly give me some breaks in the action to do detective work, or planning/strategy.

How great would it be to have a Batman game that was working a crime case, do some work in the cave, check out the crime scene, talk to gordon, etc.

[FlyinJ]

Hooray for fucking EA!

What do you know! They buy a talented studio, who makes great original IP, and what do they do with them?

Give them fucking LICENSE GAMES. How many times has this happened before? Wait, it's EVERY STUDIO THEY BUY.

Not only that, but a movie-tie-in that most likely has a rigid ship date to coincide with the movie or DVD release. What's the latest superhero movie/game tie-in they did that with? Catwoman? Oh wait no it was Superman. Not much of a difference there.

Can't wait to see what they do with BioWare. Maybe they'll transfer the Harry Potter license over to them from their wasted, demoralized shell of Bullfrog and give them a year to shit out a new one.


HOORAY EA!