About a week ago we got some clues as to what we can expect to see in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins video game. The game, which is currently being developed by Warner Brother Games Montreal is scheduled to be released on October 25th, 2013. Aside from the basics about the game, and the news that Deathstroke will be among the adversaries players will have to face off against, there wasn't a whole lot of information about what the next game will be like, until earlier today, that is.
Game Informer unveiled yet another villain that will be causing some trouble for our favorite "Dark Knight" in Gotham City this fall: the Black Mask. The game's Creative Director Eric Holmes recently discussed the addition of the character to the cast of Batman: Arkham Origins as well as the extent of the role that Black Mask will play in the plot of the game. According to Holmes, Black Mask aka Roman Sionis, but how do you make a villain that isn't much of a household name seem compelling to fans of the Batman franchise?
“We realize that Black Mask is not necessarily as prominent in people’s minds as some other classic Batman villains, so we realize we also need to do work to explain why he’s really cool and make him felt in the game…It’s not something people bring a lot of baggage to when you see the Black Mask, so we have to do the work to make him scary.”
So how do they plan on making this Batman villain that is not yet a household name appear menacing enough of an adversary for our great "Dark Knight"? Simple: they make him the number one gang leader in Gotham who happens to have a real penchant for torture.
“Black Mask is new money. He’s rich. He’s very, very powerful. He’s made it. He’s known for being brutal and sadistic. And particularly at this point in the Arkham franchise he has enormous resources. He is the number one gang leader in Gotham. And has easily the most power in the city…His money primarily comes from the drug trade. Black Mask takes a perverse enjoyment from the pain he inflicts on the people of Gotham…His thing is torture. That is what gets his rocks off,” Holmes continues. “And he’s really good at it. The sadistic nature of Black Mask is a fun thing for us to play with – the lengths to which he’s willing to go to get what he wants,”
If that sounds interesting to you, then you will certainly have plenty to look forward to this October. What do you think of the addition of Black Mask to the rogues gallery in Batman: Arkham Origins? Do you think there might be some similarities between his character and Doctor Hugo Strange in Batman: Arkham City (2011)?
Source: Game Informer