Yesterday, Warner Bros. announced Batman: Arkham Origins, the next title in the publisher's Batman: Arkham franchise. Much to the surprise of fans, however, it was revealed that Rocksteady — the developer of the two previous Batman: Arkham titles — would not be developing Arkham Origins; rather, Warner Bros. is handling development in-house at its own Warner Bros. Montreal.
The humbled Warner Bros. Montreal has already acknowledged they are "standing on the shoulders of giants," but Rocksteady's Sefton Hill had some encouraging words for the new developer. "Rocksteady is excited to see WB Games Montreal developing the prequel to the Batman: Arkham franchise," Hill, the director of the first two games, told Game Informer (via CVG).
"We are confident this talented team will craft a fantastic experience, bringing the origins of the Arkhamverse to life," he concluded.
Although Rocksteady isn't directly involved in the development of Arkham Origins, Warner Bros. is still using many of the assets used in the past, including Rocksteady's modified Unreal engine. This will allow the new game to have a similar look at feel to its predecessors, while giving Warner Bros. the freedom to explore its own story — set prior to the events of the previous two games.
