Here’s what happens when a third-party developer makes a successful game for a publisher — that publisher acquires them.
Such is the case with Warner Bros. and Rocksteady Studios, the developer of last year’s critically and commercially successful Batman: Arkham Asylum. Warner Bros. has announced that its acquired a majority stake of the UK-based developer.
Interestingly, Rocksteady studio director Jamie Walker hints at other projects beyond Batman saying “The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognized Warner Bros. brands like Batman.”
What those widely recognized brands could be is anyone’s guess. The studio is currently working with Warner to bring the sequel to Arkham Asylum to retail, which is rumored to be shipping in 2011.