Voice Of Batman Confirms No New ‘Arkham’ Games Are In The Works

Though the team behind the Batman: Arkham games were very clear that the latest title in the Batman series would be the final story to close out the general narrative, that didn’t stop speculation about a potential new game already in the works. Makes sense, the Batman: Arkham series overall was a huge hit but according to the voice himself; it’s officially done.

Kevin Conroy, the voice of “justice” itself, set the record straight once and for all about any plans Warner Bros. has for the future of the franchise. The question was posed at this year’s Wizard World Nashville, to which Conroy replied with a definitive “no.”

“I can’t believe that they’re not going to do another one, but they’re not. Isn’t that amazing? They made literally billions of dollars on those games, but no, there’s no plan to do another one. Sorry.” You can check out his live response in the video below:

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When Batman: Arkham Asylum first released back in 2009, the title was instantly met with a positive reception. With its well-done stealth mechanics and engaging story; Asylum took off immediately spawning several games in its wake.

Though the final Batman: Arkham Knight did bring the beloved narrative to a close, there was still a VR spinoff that was released back in 2016. For those fans that just couldn’t get enough, there were also several portable titles; including the Batman: Arkham Origins mobile game, that were release subsequently from 2011 until 2016. 

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Back in February, rumors were circulating around once more about the potential continuation of this franchise when a former employee from WB Montreal (Batman: Arkham Origins) went in full detail about an alleged new title in the works. According to him, the game would be called Batman: Insurgency and would continue on from the narrative left on in Arkham Origins. As we have previously reported, here is everything we learned from this “inside source”:

• The game is called Batman: Arkham Insurgency and it takes place about 3 years after the events of Arkham Origins. It’s built on the same engine as Arkham Knight was and has been in development since around 2014.
• The game will feature Batman and Dick Grayson as Robin as the main playable characters. Grayson has been Robin for about two years at this point.
• It’s set in a previously unexplored, coastal area of Gotham that is roughly the same size as the three islands from Arkham Knight on the outside, although the interiors have been substantially expanded so you will be able to get inside most of the buildings now. The Batcave and Wayne Manor are also accessible via fast travel.
• The plot is that there has been a mass breakout at Blackgate and Arkham Asylum, and several terrorist attacks across the city, which results in the GCPD blocking off a segment of Gotham where they have completely lost control. This is the main playable area and while it’s mostly populated by villains and criminals, there’s a whole heap of trapped civilians that Batman and Robin will need to rescue.
• The Batmobile is in the game, but it’s been changed. There’s no more battle mode but the controls have been modified to compensate. The combat mostly consists of chase sequences and using the Batmobile’s superior speed and maneuverability to navigate around slower opponents while bombing the hell out of them with the car’s weaponry. The missiles, power winch and the EMP device remain, along with some new stuff.
• Dual play mode is also present, but it’s been changed. The dual takedown has been removed but there’s a whole bunch of new special moves and combos in its place. There’s an entire new skill tree devoted to the mechanic.
• Combat has been expanded to better accommodate 1-on-1 fights. It’s still rhythm based where you have to time all the correct button presses exactly, but it’s more complicated than the attack/counter basis of the previous games.
• Owlman and the Court of Owls are the main villains of the game – although Owlman is really the main focus, especially when he murders all the other members of the Court towards the end of the game and starts targeting Batman’s allies. It’s revealed that the Court views Batman’s heroics as a threat to their control, so they organize a criminal uprising to take him out. The Talons are also present as elite enemies who you never fight more than 3 at a time as just one character, or 4 to 5 as both characters.
• Other villains in the game are Maxie Zeus, Dollmaker, Killer Moth, Anarky, Two-Face, Blockbuster, Ventriloquist, Cornelius Stirk, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Dusan al Ghul, Mad Monk, Dala, Riddler and yes, Joker. Joker figures somewhat prominently in the story (it’s revealed that he helped orchestrate the Arkham Asylum breakout), but he’s not the main villain but more of a major supporting character who mostly works for himself, but will sometimes help Batman and Robin if it benefits him.
• Alfred and Lucius Fox are your main contacts in the game. Barbara Gordon helps you out on a few side missions and has a slight crush on Dick Grayson, which he doesn’t reciprocate.
• Unlike Arkham Knight, there will actually be boss battles this time.
• The estimated release date is around November of this year, but it’s possible that it could be pushed back seeing as the game was meant to be revealed towards the end of last year but was delayed.

That’s a lot of specifics for a game that was never officially confirmed and now we are being told from the lead actor himself doesn’t exist. 

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At the end of the day – things change. It’s very possible somewhere down the line the team might decide to pick up the franchise once more, maybe even deliver the evasive Insurgency. It would be amazing to see this incredible storyline continue, DC fan or not. The series did really well and players have unanimously made it clear that they would love to see more. 

As of right now, there are no plans to continue on after the final chapter released in 2015. But … good news. If you’ve got that Batman craving coming back after reading this, the Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 graphic novel has officially been announced and the 80s revamp couldn’t come at a better time. 

Arkham Asylum 2 won’t be starring the familiar Batman and won’t immediately pick up after the first Arkham Asylum graphic novel. The latest story will in fact put Damian Wayne front and center as Bruce’s son. The setting is in an alternate timeline where Batman dies and his son is forced to assume the infamous name. It works out though, because it turns out Damian is a straight up badass. 

With the artist Andy Kubert at the helm alongside creator Grant Morrison, the story of Damian’s ascension into effectively Batman 2.0 is a pretty wild tale. After being conceived after a raunchy night between Batty and a criminal mastermind, Damian was then raced by Talia al Ghul alongside her League of Assassins. He later became his father’s sidekick as Robin, instead of the original plan to kill him. 

In Batman #666, things went bad. Really bad. A certain deal with the devil comes to light as it was revealed that Damian signed a contract the night of his father’s death. The exchange? One Wayne soul for that of the city’s safety. The story arc is set to continue with Arkham Asylum 2 amidst and alternate, and much darkest future. The latest comic is shaping up to be a pretty epic blend of what we love about Batman, with some incredible innovation thrown in there. 

There is no release date at this time for the upcoming graphic novel.