Earlier this month, WB Games announced that the last-gen versions of Gotham Knights have been axed. Initially set to be another cross-gen effort, Gotham Knights is now Xbox Series X|S only. In light of the news, a few of the developers took to the game's Discord channel to discuss Gotham Knights and why its last-gen port is no more.
Fleur Marty, Executive Producer, had this to say on the cancellation (thanks, MP1st):
When considering the scale and scope of Gotham Knights we had to prioritize and focus our efforts to deliver the game at a satisfying level of quality for current gen. We totally understand that this is upsetting to players who don’t own a current gen console yet, and believe me we really didn’t make this decision lightly, but, in the end, we wanted to focus on delivering a game we are truly proud of.
So, yeah, it seems as though Gotham Knights may have been a bit too ambitious for last gen consoles, resulting in the game's cancellation on Xbox One. While this is no-doubt disappointing for last-gen users, the transition to next-gen will undoubtedly throw up some hurdles for developers to overcome.
Still, Xbox does of course have a lower-cost option for players moving on to next-gen. The Xbox Series S is widely available in 2022 at $299 or your regional equivalent, and that console will play Gotham Knights, along with any other next-gen games you throw at it.
Were you planning on playing Gotham Knights on last-gen? Let us know your thoughts on the cancellation down below.
[source mp1st.com]
Comments 22
Talking of lower cost options.
Xbox should offer a disc less series x
For about £360.
Considering how digital and cloud based it is all becoming I am surprised this is not already available.
@Dezzy70 Ps5 digital then! Tbh, Microsoft may have explored this options but with Series S on the market, it'd probably eat into its sales.
@Dezzy70 @Kezelpaso I'd imagine launching 3 SKU's was the reason they didn't do this, that's hard on many levels, not least customer confusion.
@themightyant
Still think they could it now as the other two series consoles are well established and been on the market for two years this winter.
As for series s and x they got that right.
@Dezzy70 If it comes i'd expect it when they release the slim equivalent along with the more efficient, cooler chipset they're apparently working on.
Finally a developer making a smart decision about last gen.
It's just that: last gen. Stopped trying to milk it. Only holding current gen games back and creating unnecessary technical issues. It's over. Current gen is here now. Get on with it.
2023 or 2024 holiday will probably have a digital only Series X, but $360 is asking a bit much. I would hope and be grateful for a $400 version. N technically it is another skew, at least for game devs they wouldnt have to produce a game for anything more than they already have.
No doubt this could be made to run on a XB1X/Pro at some level (but can't release only on those), and we already see how PS4/XB1 games are scaled down a LOT and still struggle to deliver a 'consistent' 30fps. Even with 'low' resolution, Temporal Upscaling, Dynamic Resolution etc, the 'visual' quality is so scaled down leading to pop-in, low LoD's, low quality assets, reduced environmental density and detail, lower quality lighting and effects (shadows, reflections etc) to the point the visuals are really ugly on modern Displays, bad enough on full HD displays.
The 'only' loss to the Publisher is their sales at launch and the months after when the game is 'new ' and at its most lucrative, highest price point. Its not worth the 'hassle', the cost of porting, down scaling everything, trying to find a 'reasonable' balance between visual clarity and frame rates, inc streaming in of Data as its open world from HDD's etc. Then end up with an ugly game and poor performance, lose reputation and have to spend months on trying to improve the XB1/PS4 issues - like CD Project Red - who also would of been better off cancelling their 'last gen' versions of Cyberpunk and spent the time wasted on trying to make those 'work' in making sure the Next Gen versions were up to par...
@Dezzy70
3 different SKus? That's just going to confuse people.
@GuyinPA75 I've seen the gameplay of Gotham Knights, It's nothing impressive and doesn't really look like anything last gen hardware couldn't handle. graphically it's barely a step up from Arkham Knight, a game from 2015. maybe you are seeing something I'm not but this game hardly screams "next gen" to me. and I bet if they really wanted to they could shoe horn this game on last gen. and I am pretty sure from a gameplay perspective, everything would be intact.
@Chandu
Maybe not now the other two are established.
They only have to call the Xbox series x digital.
It covers all bases then for those that want the top model series x but cheaper at £360 and digital only.
I am digital only with my current series x and gamepass. I have no need for the disc drive.
Considering game pass etc a digital series x option would be good.
@Dezzy70 Maybe in the future that could be an option but for now I don't think it's a good idea. and I think for now having a disc option is good because a lot of people still play physical games.
@Chandu
Seems strange in the USA and Canada. No series x stock issues here in the UK, walk in and pick up in nearly all Smyths Toys stores. Maybe they need to redirect stock to USA and Canada, someone in logistics needs to do a review of stock allocation.
As for Gotham Knights I feel the same, the latest gameplay hardly made me think wow new generation graphically etc.
@Chandu
You would still have the disc option of a series x
I’m just saying add a disc less option at £360, as Xbox say we want to give the public all options possible.
@Chandu Exactly why think way I do. This whole "support last gen still to this day" is just waste of time. And they want make a mid gen upgrade? Incredibly pointless.
I was going to wait for reviews then decide on getting it but now the decisions been made for me 🤷♂️ from the gameplay they showed nothing about it looks like it couldn't run on Xbox one or PS4
@GuyinPA75 People don't have a choice, the new consoles are still really hard to find in stores and people don't want to pay $1000 to some scalper. and now that Redfall and Starfield have been pushed into 2023 and even Sony is still putting their exclusives on PS4 you honestly won't need a ps5 or series x realistically until 2023. I aint buying a new console for gotham knights, it doesn't even look that good.
@Dezzy70 not worth it, it wouldn't save much. Those drives are like 15-20$ if that. The only reason the PS5 digital is 100$ less is because they had to eat some money to compete with the lower prices series s..that's THE reason it exists to begin with. A discless SX just doesn't make a lot of sense especially with rumors of mid gens already going around. Theyre gonna be beasts too, like 700$ consoles. Would be dumb if they didn't go big with them considering the s and x will hold out fine all gen for lower cost customers. Might as well go real premium. It'll sell all day guaranteed. I know I'll buy one.
I'm hoping this becomes a thing more often. I know the Callisto protocol was supposed to be new gen and PC only but I've heard recently there will be a last gen version. I really hope it's a port down instead of the same build otherwise they'll hold back what could be the game that sets a new bar for visuals and atmosphere simply based on their past work and how much talent striking distance has. Can't wait for that game, sci horror is so f rare now especially on console in AAA form. Alien isolation is really the last big sci horror game and that was 2014.
@FreqMode
A mid gen refresh, we haven’t any games in nearly two years that take nowhere near the advantage of the new current generation.
This is a slow burning generation for sure.
I'm glad they've canceled it on the dead xbone. Xbone is the worst console Microsoft has ever made. Thank goodness it's Dead and Buried.
On the other hand, I can't wait to play it on my Amazing Xbox Series S!!!
@Chandu your loss
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