Batman is making the jump to the next-generation of video game consoles, but it looks like eager fans will have to wait longer than expected.
The highly-anticipated Batman: Arkham Knight will be coming June 2, 2015 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
Warner Bros. confirmed the news on Twitter earlier today, and no doubt heard a collective sigh from gamers everywhere.
The news comes after Arkham Knight was originally scheduled to release this fall, but then pushed back into 2015. Leaks from Microsoft seemed to indicate that the game had an "unofficial" February 24 release date, but it looks that might have just been a placeholder. The new June 2015 date means developer Rocksteady will have had three and a half years to craft the final game in its Batman trilogy. Last year's Batman: Arkham Origins was developed by WB Montreal and served as a prequel to the Batman titles created by Rocksteady: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.
Arkham Knight follows in the footsteps of two other high-profile next-gen titles originally slated for an end of 2014 release. Both The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Evolve were delayed into February earlier this year.
Alongside news of the game's release date, WB also announced multiple collector editions for the title. Both Batman: Arkham Knight collector's editions will include an 80-page art book, limited edition steelbook case, limited edition comic book and a character skin pack with costumes from DC's New 52. Each edition will also include a statue: one of Batman, another of the Batmobile, depending on which version you pick. The limited edition of the game with the Batman statue will retail for $99.99, with the Batmobile version going for $199.99
While the news is disappointing, it is all for the good of the game. With an additional three months added from the rumored February date, Rocksteady has even more time to make Arkham Knight the best game it can be. It is already plenty ambitious, which may likely account for the delay. For the first time players will be able to drive around an open-world Gotham City in the Batmobile and explore at will, like so:
The Batmobile comes equipped with a number of weapons and gadgets. As Batman doesn't kill, the Batmobile's riot suppression shot can non-lethally subdue large groups of enemies, but the vehicle does also come equipped with cannon. Batman will need that kind of firepower to go up against the armored vehicles and drones being deployed by his new enemy, the Arkham Knight.
Rocksteady is partnering with DC to create the all-new villain, and he looks mighty formidable. Wielding guns and some Batman-esque armor, the mystery surrounding the identity of this "Anti-Batman" is one that is sure to keep fans guessing up until the game's release.
