Concept artwork from a long-canceled Batman Arkham Knight follow-up set to star Damian Wayne because the Darkish Knight has surfaced on-line, giving us our greatest look but at an aged Bruce.
Venture Sabbath, because it was identified, was in growth at Batman Arkham Origins studio Warner Bros. Video games Montreal after the launch of 2015’s Arkham Knight, and would have featured two Batmen — father and son.
Finally, nonetheless, the challenge was canceled by Warner Bros. and WB Video games Montreal as an alternative shifted focus to launch 2022’s poorly-received Gotham Knights, a recreation with no Batmen in any respect.
On the time, Sabbath was deliberate as Warner Bros’ subsequent huge Batman recreation, whereas Rocksteady itself explored ideas that includes different characters. In fact, Rocksteady itself circled again to its model of Batman (form of) in its subsequent challenge, the ill-fated Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Pictures from a former WB Video games Montreal artist who labored on the challenge have now popped up on Artstation, that includes a youthful-looking Damian, grizzled and bearded Bruce, plus ideas for Killer Croc and Huntress.
Whether or not this recreation would have been strictly a part of the Arkhamverse canon has by no means been firmly established. On the one hand, among the designs right here — notably a very different-looking Killer Croc — recommend this might have been one thing of a completely different take. That mentioned, the identical may very well be mentioned of Poison Ivy’s look in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which positively was a part of the Arkham-verse. And, in fact, WB Video games Montreal did make Batman Arkham Origins, a prequel that’s thought of canon to Rocksteady’s core trilogy.
New idea artwork from WB Video games Montréal’s cancelled 2015 Damian Wayne recreation “Venture Sabbath” has surfaced, shared by character artist Rodrigue Pralier. The items clearly present Damian, an older Bruce, Killer Croc, and Huntress. The type and character designs additional help the… pic.twitter.com/aRwTD7caYE
— Batman Arkham Movies (@ArkhamVideos) June 22, 2025
This is not the primary time idea artwork from the sport has hit the web. Again in 2021, one other former WB Video games Montreal developer posted photos of Damian Wayne in his Batsuit — a glossy outfit with pink Bat sign emblazoned on his chest.
These designs additionally confirmed the identical bearded older Bruce Wayne, though solely inside his swimsuit — which means his newly-revealed face was obscured. Nonetheless, the designs recommend that, sooner or later, the older Bruce would nonetheless have suited up throughout his retirement.
“Venture Sabbath”, a canceled Damian Wayne Batman recreation at WB Video games Montreal, apparently has one other wave of idea artwork revealed – this time by idea artist Goran Bukvic. The pictures match how the sport was first described years in the past.
Credit score to Reddit person thebananapeeler2. pic.twitter.com/TelAZeMVMj
— The Arkham Channel (@ArkhamChannel) November 9, 2021
After launching Gotham Knights and offering further growth assist to Rocksteady on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, WB Video games Montreal was downsized in December 2024, with nearly 100 jobs misplaced. Rocksteady’s try at a co-op recreation that includes Batman side-characters was a flop, although the developer is now reportedly engaged on a single-player Batman recreation as soon as once more.
Perhaps it will find yourself lastly being the Bruce and Damian Wayne recreation followers have been ready for?
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You possibly can attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social