Interview – Batman: Arkham City dev Paul Crocker

During rAge 2011, we caught up with Paul Crocker, lead narrative designer on the upcoming Batman Arkham City, and all around nice guy. We asked him a few questions relating to the game and Batman universe as a whole.

As lead narrative designer, Crocker is part of the design team at Rocksteady Studios that deals with the story surrounding the Batman universe. Paul keeps the game story consistent with the overarching Batman universe, and works closely with the game director as well as DC Comics.

Asked whether working with such an established universe limits the creative freedom for designers, particularly those who are working on the story, Paul said that there are set guides for Batman.

He is a character that we all know and so they needed to stay true to him in most aspects, explained Crocker. This goes for the other parts of the game such as villains, Catwoman and Arkham city.

However, they were able to put together a unique storyline that should keeps fans of the franchise and newcomers alike interested and entertained.

Describing what he does as a dream job, Crocker is obviously passionate about Batman and gives good insight into what goes behind the scenes at the game developer.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the interview was when we asked Crocker whether a Batman game is more interesting and engaging for consumers than a Batman movie or comic book.

He mentioned that movies, comic books and cartoons each had their place, but a game is unique because it’s the only medium that allows the user to be Batman rather than just reading or watching his exploits.

Crocker felt that as one gets to interact with the universe playing as Batman (and Catwoman) in the game, they get to experience what stopping Hugo Strange, the Joker and other villains that players will come across in Arkham City feels like, so it will come across as a more immersive experience.

Crocker couldn’t give away too much of the storyline; in his own words, “That would be telling.”

However, he was quick to point out that Rocksteady Studios has a good track record for including interesting surprises in games, and Batman Arkham City will build on previous accomplishments.

For more information, watch below as Paul Crocker and I awkwardly gesticulate at each other with microphones before kicking off the interview in earnest.