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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Developers Thought About Leaving the Industry
Former Rocksteady Studios developers Axel Rydby and Johnny Armstrong discussed the challenging development of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, revealing that executive decisions focused on monetization led them to question their passion for game making. The developers also shared their experiences with the game's numerous delays and the studio's inexperience with multiplayer titles, ultimately leading them to leave Rocksteady and pursue new projects like Secret of Circadia.
"I can't do this again": Suicide Squad designer says Rocksteady's live service flop made him want to quit games, and warns "as an industry we are severely losing our way"
Former Rocksteady developers Johnny Armstrong and Axel Rydby have spoken out about the traumatic development of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with one stating the experience made him want to quit the industry. They describe how shifting priorities and a focus on recouping investment led to a loss of creative passion, warning that the industry is losing its way by prioritizing sales over developer passion.
"I could feel myself coming apart at the seams": Suicide Squad leads on almost leaving the games industry after its failure
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League co-director Axel Rydby and associate design director Johnny Armstrong considered leaving the games industry due to the game's troubled development and public failure. They discussed the shift from Rocksteady's traditional single-player games to a live-service model, the pressure from Warner Bros. executives, and the eventual decision to move on. Both developers have since started a new studio and are crowdfunding their upcoming game, Secret of Circadia.
17 years later, Batman: Arkham Asylum is still the best game for Batman fans
Seventeen years after its release, Batman: Arkham Asylum remains a standout title for Batman fans due to its deep lore integration and numerous references to obscure characters and comic book history. Developed by Rocksteady Studios, the game successfully immersed players in Gotham City, offering a comprehensive experience that celebrated the Batman universe beyond just the main hero.
More Expensive Consoles Don’t Result in Better Games, Says Former Naughty Dog Artist
Former Naughty Dog artist Del Walker argues that more expensive next-generation consoles will not lead to better games, citing ballooning development costs and complexity. He suggests that limitations foster creativity and that rising budgets contribute to layoffs. Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino acknowledged that absorbing component cost increases is unrealistic, hinting at potential price hikes.
"Mission Impossible is high on my list" – how Paramount plans to use co-dev to exploit its archive, while building its own all-new IP
Paramount has merged its video game divisions into the new Paramount Games Studio, led by EVP Dan Prigg. The studio aims to leverage Paramount's extensive IP archive through co-development and internal projects, targeting PC, console, Roblox, and mobile platforms. While exploiting existing franchises like Mission Impossible and Star Trek is a focus, the studio is also developing original IP, aiming for games to potentially inspire future linear entertainment.
007 First Light Is Making The Case For Shorter, Sharper AAA Campaigns
This article argues that shorter, focused AAA campaigns can offer superior value compared to bloated open-world or live-service titles. It highlights games like 007 First Light, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Titanfall 2 as examples of delivering quality experiences within reasonable playtimes. The piece suggests that despite rising development costs, publishers can still find success with well-crafted, linear narratives.
"Half the game is in the player's imagination": Batman Arkham Knight fan-favorite detail is actually a 12-year-old bug, Rocksteady veteran reveals
A former Rocksteady Studios programmer, Aadit Doshi, revealed that a long-standing fan observation in Batman: Arkham Knight, where Robin mimics Batman's crouch but Batman doesn't reciprocate for Robin, is actually a bug and not an intentional design choice. Doshi shared this information, which was confirmed by a manager who worked on the system, suggesting that the perceived intentionality of the interaction added to the game's charm.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight features the hero's iconic actor from 1992, confirms dev: "I'm glad someone finally discovered the use of Kevin Conroy's voice"
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight features a voice cameo from the late Kevin Conroy, the iconic voice actor for Batman. The archival audio of Conroy is used for PA announcements within the Arkham Asylum level, serving as a tribute to his extensive work as the character. The game also includes nods to Adam West and other Batman media.
2024 Open World Action Game Just $5.59 on PS Store
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is available for $5.59 on the PlayStation Store, a 92% discount, until Thursday, June 11. This limited-time deal offers a chance to try the controversial open-world action game, with PS Plus Premium members also having access to a game trial. The game is set in a ravaged Metropolis and tasks players with assassinating the Justice League.
I'm a mega Batman nerd, so here's a selection of my favourite references in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
This article highlights numerous references to Batman's extensive history found within Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The author, a self-proclaimed Batman enthusiast, details nods to iconic actors like Kevin Conroy and Heath Ledger, influential comic creators such as Frank Miller and Alan Moore, and memorable moments from various Batman films and television series.
Sleeping Dogs May Never Get The Sequel It Deserves, But Here’s The Next Best Thing
While a sequel to Sleeping Dogs seems unlikely due to past sales and the closure of developer United Front Games, the combat in IO Interactive's 007 First Light offers a spiritual successor to the beloved brawling mechanics of the 2012 open-world classic. The game's focus on improvised melee combat and environmental takedowns evokes the brutal, satisfying fights that made Sleeping Dogs a cult favorite.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Shows Off Its Accolades in A New Trailer
A new accolades trailer for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight highlights positive reviews praising its open world and presentation. The game, developed by TT Games and published by WB Games, is noted for its similarities to Rocksteady's Arkham franchise and is available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned.
I miss Arkham, but this new Lego Batman game is the closest I've felt in years
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight offers a surprisingly faithful and engaging experience reminiscent of the Batman Arkham series, blending detective work and combat with Lego's signature humor. The game successfully captures the atmosphere of Gotham while incorporating elements from recent Batman films, making it a standout title in the Lego adaptation genre.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight to Get Task Force X Characters in Mayhem DLC – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Task Force X characters will be added as DLC to the recently released LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The rumored DLC, titled 'Mayhem,' would include characters like Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark. The game, developed by TT Games, has received positive reviews for its open-world design and story.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Shows How Badly WB Games Misread Batman
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has received strong critical and player reception, highlighting WB Games' missteps with previous single-player Batman titles like Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The article argues that the success of this LEGO title, with contributions from Rocksteady Studios and WB Games Montreal, proves there is a viable market for well-executed single-player Arkham-style games, contrasting it with WB Games' focus on live-service models that have resulted in significant losses and layoffs.
Lego Batman Is The Arkham Sequel You’ve Been Waiting For In More Ways Than One
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a spiritual successor to the Batman Arkham series, developed in part by Rocksteady Studios. While it simplifies combat and stealth compared to its predecessors like Arkham City and Arkham Knight, it successfully captures the feel of the Arkham games with a similar open-world structure and traversal mechanics. The game draws heavily from various Batman stories, offering a fun pastiche rather than a wholly original narrative.
Lego Batman Is The Arkham Sequel You've Been Waiting For In More Ways Than One
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a competent successor to the Arkham series, featuring familiar combat and open-world exploration, though it falls short in stealth mechanics and original storytelling. Developed in part by Rocksteady Studios, the game captures the essence of the Arkham games with "Arkham Lite" gameplay and a Gotham City reminiscent of Arkham City and Arkham Knight.
Round Up: The Reviews For Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight Are In
Reviews for Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight are largely positive, praising its blend of humor, open-world design, and combat. While the game is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, a Nintendo Switch version is also planned. Critics noted its strong connection to Batman's history and the Arkham series, though some felt it struggled to balance all its influences.
Dungeons & Dragons Game by Giant Skull Has Been Cancelled
Hasbro, through its subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, has cancelled a Dungeons & Dragons game being developed by Giant Skull due to the termination of their publishing deal. Industry veteran Stig Asmussen, founder of Giant Skull, confirmed the cancellation and is seeking new publishing partners. The game was not intended to be a successor to the Baldur's Gate franchise.
