The dynamic duo will not take on Gotham's criminals together in Batman: Arkham City. Rocksteady Studios has squelched long-running rumors (and for some, hopes) that its Dark Knight sequel will include co-op or multiplayer, firmly stating the game will be a single-player only experience.

In an interview with our friends at IGN, Arkham City Director Sefton Hill talks about the success of Arkham Asylum, the challenge of topping what was for many critics the 2009 Game of the Year, and more. In particular, Hill explains why Batman: Arkham City does not feature co-op or multiplayer.


"There have been a number of rumors circulating about a multiplayer mode in Batman: Arkham City so let me start by saying, once and for all, that Batman: Arkham City is a single-player only experience," Hill told IGN.

"Our thought process behind this was fairly simple: when we investigated adding multiplayer we asked, 'If we use all of the energy that is required to create multiplayer and instead focus this on the single player, would that deliver a better overall game?'"

Hill continued: "With the game now coming to the final stages, I can honestly say it would not have been possible to deliver Arkham City the way we wanted to if we'd have added multiplayer."

"So it might not be the fashionable choice, it might not get us an extra tick on the box, but we are convinced, and we hope that gamers will agree when they get to play the finished game, that we have made the right decision."

Batman: Arkham City is being developed for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PCs. The game is set for release this fall.


Sharkey says: Count me among those that's happy to hear multiplayer is not in the mix for Arkham City. As Hill said, focusing on the campaign will make it the best experience it can be. And if that experience is bigger and better than Arkham Asylum (my personal 2009 Game of the Year), gamers will be in for a treat.