What was once one of the most anticipated games of the fall, Batman: Arkham Knight was delayed until 2015 awhile back. As a result, there has been a bit of a lull in information about the game, as there was more time to spread the information out across. However, this month’s GamesTM magazine features a good bit of information about the game, specifically about the very mysterious title villain, the Arkham Knight.
In this issue, Rocksteady gave an interview about Batman: Arkham Knight in which they break down the various parts of the Arkham Knight’s costume, which hints at who is he underneath the mask. They also mention how he is a “dark reflection” of Batman himself, that takes control of a military force that has taken over Gotham City. The villain knows Batman to the core and uses the Arkham Knight identity as a way to strike fear in his enemies. The description of the costume that will be in Batman: Arkham Knight can be seen in detail below:
1. Mask
“The mask is a vital component of many super villains, and we needed the Arkham Knight’s helmet to achieve a range of different things. Firstly, it needs to cover his face in order to conceal any sense of the man underneath. Next, it provides him with a detailed heads-up display that keeps track of his forces moving throughout Gotham City. This information is projected across the inside of his visor, creating the illusion of those inhuman eyes and giving him a face that is equal parts ghostly and robotic.”
2. Chest plate
“The design of the Arkham Knight’s armour is intended to be a psychological weapon against Batman as well as a defence against the tactics and strategies that Batman uses. The Arkham Knight knows the deep influence that the events of both Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City had on Batman, and by making the logo of the institution into his own, he aims to put Gotham’s saviour at a disadvantage. The angular design of the armour plating was influenced by the A-shape of Batman: Arkham Asylum’s logo, but it’s also designed to deflect one of Batman’s weapons of choice: the bat claw.”
3. Gauntlets
“Visually one of the most important things we want to communicate through the design of the Arkham Knight is the high-tech, military threat that he poses to Gotham City. The materials on his gauntlets, boots and armour are influenced by the design of fighter aircraft: highly resistant, unreflective and totally intimidating. The Arkham Knight’s knowledge of the Caped Crusader influences his fighting style, and so his gauntlets fulfil a similar role to Batman’s: they’re armoured so he can use them to repel opponents with blades while remaining light enough to enable rapid strikes. We’ve always had the same approach to armour design in the Arkhamverse: it needs to match the anatomy and ergonomics of the character, and reflect each character’s unique visual themes.”
4. Camouflage
“In creating the image of this military leader invading an urban space, we designed the Arkham Knight’s red camouflage pattern to make him identifiable to his troops, but also to take advantage of how Gotham City looks at night: the dark greys interspersed with dashes of red enable him to remain concealed between the gloomy shadows and garish neons of Gotham’s alleyways and rooftops. The dark material that armours his biceps and triceps is partially reflective, working as part of the camouflage as it mirrors the environment around him.”
5. The Utility Belt
“The Arkham Knight is a military commander, and that’s reflected most in the design of his helmet, but he’s also a highly capable and resourceful warrior just like Batman. His utility belt is designed for more personal confrontations, and it reflects his aggressive personality: he wears it low-slung in contrast with Batman’s more regimented approach to field equipment. He thinks he’s better, badder and definitely cooler than the Batman himself.”
6. The Ears
“The ears serve two purposes: first, they act as transmitters relaying the Arkham Knight’s commands to his troops and drones in the field. Secondly, they are his greatest psychological attack on Batman: while they’re much shorter and more streamlined than the Dark Knight’s, (to make them more practical for combat), this design is an intentional mockery of Batman and everything that he stands for.”
After reading this interview for Batman: Arkham Knight, who do you think is under that mask? Is it a brand new character or someone we already know?
