Batman started as a rhythm-action game -- and other Arkham Asylum secrets

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 5th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Well, whaddya know? It's not just an Unreal license, painstaking design and dynamic gameplay that make for a Game of the Year candidate. It also takes three cans of whipped cream, 14 nationalities, 44,674 polygons (in one plant!), 314 breakable TVs, and six babies. That's right. If you're looking to crack Rocksteady Studio's formula for success, GameInformer has squeezed out a few of Batman: Arkham Asylum's most intimate secrets.

No, we're not talking solutions to Riddler's challenges or tips for combating fear toxin (hint: just breathe), but rather insight into key development ingredients; like what sports team had the most support from the staff? (Answer: Arsenal Football Club.) And did you know? The game's combat morphed from a rhythm-action game to a 2D prototype that "involved colored circles bashing into each other" before it was revised into its final design.

To think: We were this close to another horrendous Batman game ...

Tags: batman, batman-arkham-asylum, rocksteady, rocksteady-studios

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jose @ Oct 5th 2009 11:09PM

Go Gunners!

adamantypants @ Oct 6th 2009 1:57AM

Fuck yes Gunners!

I like the game just that much more. Been an Arsenal supporter for years myself.

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:10PM

I'm glad someone saw sense. That sounds as bad as a GOW FPS.

Off topic, I'm a bit concerned. My 360's power brick has started to emit a high pitched whine. Anyone else experienced this? Do I need to get a replacement? It is over two years old now...

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:28PM

How high pitched are we talking?

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:29PM

I would call or email MS just to make sure. Never had that happen to me though. Then again my 360 has never lasted two whole years.

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:30PM

Annoying whine, fairly high pitched. The console has been repaired last year, but they didn't replace the power supply.

Special Agent Steve @ Oct 5th 2009 11:30PM

It's a suicide collar.

MystileArmor @ Oct 5th 2009 11:31PM

I wouldn't take any chances. A replacement powerbrick is cheaper then a new Xbox 360

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:31PM

I'm dealing with the wonderful Xbox customer support right now. Sad face.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:32PM

My console makes medium-frequency sounds upon startup, but they don't last any time. I agree with Wardo. Call MS/

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:33PM

I actually have nothing bad to say about Xbox Live customer support. They have always had great service and prompt delivery in my experience.

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:34PM

No, they actually had my box repaired in one day-total time was three days without. But the employees are morons.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:35PM

Yeah, MS has good customer support, at least from my experiences.

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:37PM

I was really impressed, they had a new one sent to me within four day and this was during the Christmas week.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:37PM

We need forums or a friend/PM system. That way we could talk about stuff like this in one centralized location.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:39PM

Also, I've lost my receipt for my Xbox. When it goes belly-up, will I have to have it to get it repaired, or can I just bitch my way through?

MystileArmor @ Oct 5th 2009 11:39PM

..but I don't have any friends

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:41PM

Alton did you get it registered online? If you did I believe you don't need the receipt.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:42PM

How do I register?

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:44PM

I believe you go to Xbox.com and they should have a page for it. It will ask for your xbox's serial number.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:46PM

I can't find the option anywhere...

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:46PM

They actually never asked for a receipt my first time.

MS says that they recommend a replacement, for thirty-five dollars. But, hey, "It used to be seventy-five! But we lowered it, so isn't that great!"

I had to keep from dying when "Jeff" said that.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:48PM

Cool. I'm registered. Now, how 'bout those forums?

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 5th 2009 11:49PM

Thanks, Wardo.

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:51PM

No Problem Alton, happy to help. We really do need a place to just talk. That way we don't have to keep spamming Tom's inbox.

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:53PM

My poor inbox...j/k. :)

Thanks for the assist.

Wardo @ Oct 5th 2009 11:57PM

Hey you guys should give me your Gamertags so I can add you. ; )

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 5th 2009 11:59PM

Gamertag is : Mr Bradster

MystileArmor @ Oct 6th 2009 12:23AM

You said guys, so I guess a fat little german boy could be considered a guy?

GT: MystileArmor

5-Piece Chicken Dinner @ Oct 6th 2009 12:36AM

add me too

PSN: John-Paul-Jones

yolarrydabomb @ Oct 6th 2009 3:20AM

hmm did power bricks was the caused of RROD?

MystileArmor @ Oct 6th 2009 3:30AM

powerbricks doesn't afraid of anything

XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Oct 6th 2009 8:28AM

Your power brick was simply firing up its night vision mode, which it will use to steal your personal belongings (and possibly your dignity) after you fall asleep.

Random sidenote, my camera's external flash makes the same noise when you fire it up...sounds pretty bad-ass, IMO...of course, I also don't expect it to burn my house down, either...

8-bit.artist @ Oct 6th 2009 2:12PM

http://www.sadtrombone.com/

Durden @ Oct 6th 2009 5:11PM

@Tom: I bought an Elite after my Pro RROD and the power brick on my new Elite makes the high pitched whine when the console is off. I never called Microsoft instead just used my old brick.

I know this doesn't help but there are at least 2 people out there with this problem.

Tom Kalinske, CEO. @ Oct 6th 2009 5:14PM

Hmm. Mine was just a bit odd because it was doing it while the console was running. Also, my box had begun freezing around the time the whining started, and since the power brick is notorious for causing this I just ordered a new one. Wasn't heating up any hotter than usual, and it was in a nice open space. Probably just bad luck. (and the fact that it pulls 200+ watts)

kal326 @ Oct 9th 2009 1:44PM

My HP laptop power brick started doing the same thing, checked HPs FAQs on the machine and they stated it was a normal thing that could occur with the power adapter. However can't say the same about a 360 one, but I too was concerned about a new high pitched whine being emitted by a electronic device.

Travis @ Oct 5th 2009 11:15PM

Oh god. I'm so glad they didn't go with that. Turned it from what may have been one of the worst of the year to my personal goty so far (I say so far because I dont expect it to be at the end with Uncharted 2 and MW2, but of everything out so far its my favorite)

Special Agent Steve @ Oct 5th 2009 11:32PM

Modern Warfare 2 was supposed to be a top down shooter.... with care bears...

Filthy Assistant @ Oct 6th 2009 12:12AM

Most games start as something pretty different, this isn't anything new.

MrWeatherby @ Oct 6th 2009 12:31PM

I am so sick of the word "GOTY". Because each time i read it I pronounce it "GOTY" in my head as opposed to "game of the year", and "GOTY" sounds like some painful movement your body would make like throwing up or shitting out your small intestine. Its almost as bad as "blog". Ugh.