Batman: Arkham Origins was recently announced by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment. This is the first Arkham game that will not be developed by Rocksteady, but instead is being taken over by WB Games Montréal. However, Rocksteady is still on as technical advisers. The plot, according to the official website:

Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and includes an original prequel storyline occurring several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains and assassins, the game showcases a raw, undefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, witness identities being formed and key relationships being forged.

We also know that the game will take place on Christmas Eve and that it’s being referred to as a “Year Two” story. We’ll get to take on new villains and younger villains (like a younger Penguin), and the big bad will be Black Mask. There will be a lot of Gotham to explore too, with the city being split into Old Gotham and New Gotham, but the team wants to make it more dense as opposed to sprawling (think building up instead of out).

Check out the official website here. You’ll be able to get Batman: Arkham Origins for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and PC. The game releases on October 25, 2013. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Another game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, will be released for Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita. It will be developed by Armature Studio and is the first foray into handheld for the Arkham series. It’s a companion game, and by playing it, you’ll be able to continue the storyline of the console version. It will release the same day as Batman: Arkham Origins.