Sony's marketing arrangement with Batman: Arkham Knight has already spawned a swish silver system, but the Japanese giant's also locked up some "exclusive" content for the upcoming release. This will, of course, be timed – and an image uploaded on Amazon.com explains that that will remain the case "until at least Fall 2015". Paying to keep goods off other consoles – not exactly cool.
Still, let's overlook the shady business dealings for a second and take a look at what's actually up for grabs, which is much more interesting. We already know about the Scarecrow missions, but we're absolutely loving the Adam West-inspired character skin and Batmobile. There'll also be a Justice League 3000 outfit available early on the PS4.
We suppose that a maximum six month timed exclusive isn't the end of the world, so if you were planning on buying this elsewhere, you probably shouldn't feel too disheartened. We're assuming that the majority of you reading this will be purchasing the game on Sony's next-gen system, though – in which case, you've got some pretty nifty extras to look forward to.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
[source amazon.com, via vg247.com]
Comments 12
Timed exclusive extra content bothers me far less than timed exclusive full games. Xbox getting CoD or Dragon Age content first? Annoying but it's not like any of it is needed to enjoy the main game. Same with the content for Batman. However, if PS gamers, the ones who have supported SquareEnix and Tomb Raider more than anybody else since 1997, want to play Rise of the Tomb Raider, they can not. If Xbox owners want to play SF V, a game in a franchise that has always been multiplat and built up a good following on 360, they can not. That's bs. But MS started it by going the easy route and money hatting SE rather than building a first party studio to make a game that could compete with Uncharted so I don't blame Sony for fighting back. These tactics suck and don't really benefit anybody but they've been around forever.
As far as the content itself, I think the Adam West Batman fits perfectly with the direction Rocksteady is looking to take this game.
Can we make this the official meme for timed exclusives?
Adam West!
Now all I want a secret mission where you have to dispose of a bomb, while avoiding ducks, kissing couples etc!
@Gamer83 I know this is a PS forum and you are more likely to be biased against Microsoft but Sony are just as bad if not worse in my opinion. As far as I am aware, I can not think of any multi-plat game that has exclusive extra content on Xbox yet can think of a lot of examples for the PS. AC4 and Watchdogs on the PS4 have Extra game play content - none of which will ever be available on Xbox. BF3 also came with BF1942 free on PS3 and its DLC 2 weeks early also I know one Assassins Creed game also came with the first AC free only on PS. These games cost the same on both platforms too.
As far as I know Xbox may have a few timed exclusives with its DLC with the longest gap being CoD at a month compared to a year on PS with Destiny. At least with CoD PS owners get all the content not part of it.
A small part of the reason I own both consoles is to take advantage of these exclusive multi-plat deals but I really don't agree with them. All it is does is anger and divide gamers.
Also lets be honest, how many developers could take on Naughty Dog and its Uncharted series?
Anyway back on topic, I don't know that Adam West would be a good fit for Rocksteady's Batman franchise. Its a lot darker and more gothic than the camp Adam West Batman. He fits with the cartoon humour of the Lego Batman but can't see it working in this.
@BAMozzy
For the record, I'm not in favor of any of this DLC stuff but again, if it's content vs. not getting the game period, then I'll take the first option. I like both console brands btw, I do prefer PlayStation but anybody here can tell you I'm not an apologist or cheerleader for Sony, just in this case I fall more on Sony's side. MS kicked off the exclusive DLC trend last gen even if Sony tends to sign deals for longer durations.
And also, if Crystal Dynamics has that little confidence in itself that it wouldn't want to take on Uncharted directly, what are you doing in the business? That's like the guy who joins a sports team but doesn't want to actually compete.
@Gamer83 Like I said for Xbox owners I know of quite a few examples where they never got part of the 'content' or 'extras' ever but can't think of any examples where PS owners lost out.
I hate the timed exclusivity on any DLC or extra content but prefer that to not getting the content ever (AC4, Watchdogs etc). If there has to be timed exclusivity on things like DLC (like in CoD) then that should be limited to 2 weeks at most - that is still a long time in gaming terms. I don't think any console should get 'exclusive' multi-plat 3rd party extras - like free games or extra missions etc. Its bad enough getting exclusive cosmetic extras but actual game play options should be the same. Its kind of like buying a Samsung TV and getting extra bonus content when watching BBC1 over a Panasonic TV owner
I don't know that Crystal Dynamics do have such little confidence that it doesn't want to take on Uncharted. I do know though that Tomb Raider didn't sell as well as they had hoped which could have had an impact on them financially. The deal with Microsoft could be purely about financial security and also now know they don't have to worry about advertisement and promotion costs either. I am sure Sony sold off their involvement in Square Enix too. Lets be honest again, if Uncharted was to release at the same time, which one would Sony promote most?
I wasn't actually referring to Crystal Dynamics (or 3rd party developers) but to the Development Studios at MS. Not one is of the calibre of Naughty Dog and I think capable of developing a 'rival' to Uncharted - according to Phil Spencer they have tried but ultimately these projects fell flat - that is also why they went after Rise of the Tomb Raider.
There has also been a lot of indie/arcade games that have timed exclusivity. Oddworld: New and Tasty has just released on XB1 - the same game that was free last month on PS+. By all accounts RotTR will be a timed exclusive too. Batman: Arkham Knight content at least is 'timed' and doesn't appear as long as Destiny.
Like I said, I think these deals do more harm than good. It divides gamers and leads to more arguments. I personally don't have 'brand' loyalty myself and see the console as nothing more than the device needed to play games.
@BAMozzy
Sony would promote Uncharted, obviously, but even with Uncharted being the big PS3 series and with MS and SE mostly pitching the Xbox version of the Tomb Raider games last gen they still sold better on PS3. I just think it was a scummy move, same as I don't like SF V going exclusive. I'm still confident Capcom will find a way to work around that deal (not with vanilla SF V but by making one of those 'Super' or 'Turbo' editions) and I don't think it will be a big enough hit that Sony will give much of a damn if it goes multiplat. Like Morpheus and like Onlive, it's a waste of what little assets the company has that could've been better spent elsewhere. If you're going to lock up former multiplats as exclusives you at least pick games that can have an impact. Street Fighter is a legendary name in the industry but fighting games aren't nearly as popular as they once were.
As for Rise of the Tomb Raider, MS has a hand in publishing it, no way it hits PS4 unless it's five years down the line when MS doesn't care anymore, similar to Mass Effect 1. I've got an X1 so I'll be able to play it, just think it sucks to stick the middlefinger up at the fanbase that supported it the most then to add insult to injury the scumbag p.o.s. head of Crystal Dynamics has the gall to act like they're still supporting the PS community because they put that turd known as Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris on PS4. Yeah, every gamer should be thrilled to have the opportunity to play such a halfa$$ed piece of crap.
Anyway, I've derailed this enough. To get back on topic, I was being sarcastic about the Adam West Batman going perfectly with the theme of Arkham Knight, but it is still pretty funny. The cheesey as hell stuff that I loved growing up as a kid, clashing with what I realized as I got older is the real Batman universe.
Band, thwack, boom, crunch, holy timed exclusivity batman what do we do? Head to the batcave robin and on our batphone and batfax thrash out a deal with Sony before anyone can realise what a crazy idea this is. Holy bag of cash batman arnt we the good guys? Yes but I'm Bruce Wayne I didn't get rich by sitting quietly in my underpants.
The main villian's central shtick being relegated to DLC makes me think the plot will be hijacked by an immortal Joker halfway through.
Wait a minute, Robin... If I can just... reach my... DualShock controller.
@Melucine God dammit, I want that so bad.
Also, am I the only one who thinks the Batman '66 suit looks a tad awkward in the picture?
Tap here to load 12 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...