Batman: Arkham Asylum

This page details one or more prototype versions of Batman: Arkham Asylum.

StoryThe story of this build is quite different in comparison to the final game and uses an entirely different voice cast.

.bik files#

An attract mode for Rocksteady's first game Urban Chaos: Riot Response exists in the files under the name AttractMode.bik.

A logo for Dolby Pro Logic II exists in the files under the name Dolby.bik, seems to be the same video from Urban Chaos: Riot Response.

A video showing the Xbox 360 controls exists in the files under the names PC_Controls.bik and Xbox_Controls.bik.

An animated cutscene showing a man walking out of a padded cell exists in the files under the names cell_scene.bik and LoadingMovie2.bik.

An animated cutscene of a man squeezing blood into a bucket exists in the files under the name glass_qt.bik.

An animated cutscene of what appears to be Scarecrow throwing a bucket of blood (likely the same bucket from glass_qt.bik) onto a statue exists in the files under the name LoadingMovie1.bik.

Numerous other .bik files exist in the files but appear to be corrupt, their names are:

• bird_qt2.bik
• bloodstat_qt.bik (appears to be a copy of LoadingMovie1.bik due to the identical file size)
• Cell_cutscene.bik
• eidoslogo.bik
• PS3_Controls.bik
• rocklogo.bik
• LoadingMovie0.bik (appears to be a copy of rocklogo.bik due to the identical file size)
• LoadingMovie3.bik (appears to be a copy of eidoslogo.bik due to the identical file size)

Textures#

To do: Find other notable textures

UI#

Numerous UI elements are present in the files:

Main Menu#

A texture of what appears to be the main menu (considering that the main menu is referred to as Frontend in localization files and the texture is named Frontend) exists in the files. It has a 1:1 aspect ratio in the files, however judging by how squished the Rocksteady logo is it was likely meant to be stretched to 4:3. Along with it exists a low resolution picture of a level select which appears to use the main menu in the background.

In Game Screenshots#

To do: Compare to final game if possible.

Numerous in game screenshots appear in the files under the names MaxA1StaticDisplay 1-13, interestingly enough MaxA1StaticDisplay10 seems to have been skipped over. These likely would've been used for some kind of camera feed in the game. Unfortunately they don't show any character models or gameplay elements, but they do the show numerous 2007 build environments where the colors appear more vibrant than in the final game.

Murder Storyboard#

Numerous storyboard panels that depict a murder exist in the files under the names Murder 1-5.

Comic Book Panels#

Numerous comic book panels exist in the files, possibly used for a tutorial of some sort.

Early Map#

A texture named LogCasepp that shows what seems to be an early map for the asylum.

Models#

To do: Tons of character models and prop models exist in the files and should be documented

Collectables#

Models for collectables that don't appear in the final release, but were mentioned in prerelease media exist in the files along with text files mentioning their coordinates in game. Unfortunately, they seem to lack textures.

Gadgets#

Models of gadgets are in the game files. Some of these gadgets aren't in the final release. Interestingly enough there are models and text documents referencing harpoon ammo and the coordinates for said ammo in game, implying that you would have to find ammo for this gadget.

Localization Files#

Multiplayer#

Localization files found in the 2007 build appear to reference "LAN GAME" and "ONLINE GAME" appearing as options on the title screen. This seems to imply a planned multiplayer mode, however it likely wasn't far into development since this seems to be the only reference of multiplayer in the files. Alternatively, it could be a left over from Urban Chaos: Riot Response.

Original Story#

According to early Localization files found in the 2007 build, the dialogue and objectives found suggests the game's story was going to focus more on the detective side of Batman with investigations taking place around Arkham Island around missing inmates and staff.

Cut Takedowns#

Referenced in the early Localization files found in the 2007 build are many takedowns that did not make it into the final game showing that more ways to be silent were planned and a way to electrocute thugs. These were most likely removed for balance and to simplify the takedown systems for predator and combat.

Urban Chaos: StormFront#

Referenced in Localization files is the title Urban Chaos: StormFront, referring to either an unannounced, cancelled sequel or one of the (many) names that the studio's previous game underwent before finally settling on Urban Chaos: Riot Response.