Update: Though the free "Prey in the Darkness" downloadable content for Batman: Arkham Aslyum is already available on Xbox 360 in Europe, Eidos has clarified that the tomorrow's North American release of the add-on will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive.

"The new content will be available beginning September 24th in North America as a free download exclusively on the PlayStation Network," the company explained in a joint statement with Warner Bros. "Outside of North America, the Prey in the Darkness Map Pack will be available on both PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace."

Original: Eidos today announced the "Prey in the Darkness Map Pack" for Batman: Arkham Asylum, another dose of two challenge maps to the popular Bat-game.

The DLC includes the "Heart of Darkness FreeFlow Combat" map, in which "players will battle a mob of relentless and maniacal enemies at the Arkham... Read more

It looks like Arkham Asylum could be the dark horse of this year's sales charts, as Eidos and Warner report the Batman game has begun its run by shipping 2.5 million copies to retailers since its August 25 debut.

A recent LA Times article pegged the game's sales at 2 million, though it did not specify whether that number represented sales to customers or retailers.

Either way, the publishers are obviously enthused, with Warner Interactive president Martin Tremblay saying that the title's sales demonstrate how a "powerful franchise fused with high-quality production" can sell. In other words, a game adaptation that's actually good can make a lot of money. Who would have thought?

For those that aren't already playing it, here's a friendly reminder that the free Batman: Arkham Asylum DLC is coming out today.

The "Insane Night Map Pack" includes two new challenge maps, dubbed "Totally Insane" and "Nocturnal Hunter."

The content is already available for Xbox Live Gold members, and should be available on the PlayStation Network later today. While the download is technically available on the PC, some users are reporting issues with Games for Windows Live that are keeping them from grabbing the file. We'll keep an eye on that.

With the first batch of downloadable content for Batman: Arkham Asylum due out this Thursday, September 17, publisher Eidos today unveiled exactly what it will entail.

Available as a free download on all three platforms (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360), the "Insane Night Map Pack" will bring two new challenge maps to Rocksteady's game.

The first new challenge room, "Totally Insane," sees players facing... Read more

With Eidos having revealed that Batman: Arkham Asylum is to get a new downloadable add-on next week, Sony has now said that a second will appear the week after.

September 17's downloadable pack is dubbed "Insane Night," Sony Europe's Mike Kebby noted on the PlayStation.Blog. A second add-on, "Prey In The Darkness," will apparently follow on September 24. It is not yet known if the second pack will be a free multi-platform download, but the first one has already been confirmed as such.

Eidos is still being rather coy about the actual contents of the DLC, though the structure of the game and names of the packs certainly indicate they could be challenge maps.

The news that Rocksteady is ready to release downloadable content for its popular superhero adventure Batman: Arkham Asylum is not a surprise, but the fact that it will be free certainly is.

An in-game scrolling news ticker says that free DLC is headed to the game in nine days, or on September 17. No other details on the content are available yet, outside of Eidos' confirmation that it will hit all platforms (PC, 360, PS3) simultaneously.

What, you thought that the trailer train would stop just because Batman: Arkham Asylum arrived on consoles last week? Why, that notion is almost as mad as The Joker himself.

Instead of focusing on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions, the latest trailer examines the September 15-due PC edition and the various PhysX effects--falling leaves, rustling papers, fog, more tiles per explosion, etc.--that NVIDIA's GeForce hardware adds.

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With previous trailers having covered just about every aspect of Batman: Arkham Aslyum, this one takes a different angle, highlighting some quotes from pre-release reviews.

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions of Rocksteady's detective comic beat 'em up arrive at North American retailers tomorrow, with the PC version due out September 15. While you're waiting, why not check out the playable demo and the various deals? There are some good savings to be had, especially if you hit Toys R Us early.

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Canadians won't be the only ones to get a good deal on Batman: Arkham Asylum this week, as retailer Toys R Us is offering to give up to half of the game's $60 price back, in gift card form, with purchase of the detective comic brawler.

To take full advantage of the deal, you'll have to act fast, as the "free $30 gift card when you buy Batman Arkham Asylum" offer is only good in-store from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, August 25. You'll also need to be a member of the free "Rewards R Us" program.

But don't fret if you can't make it then, as a "free $20 gift card" will... Read more

It's hard to believe that the media onslaught of Batman: Arkham Asylum is almost over, what with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions due next week on August 25, but don't fret.

Between the ability to actually play the full version of Rocksteady's detective comic brawler--PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC demos are already out--and the part where there may still be some new screenshots and trailers for PC version, since that edition isn't due out until September 15, I'm sure we'll make due. Somehow. Hopefully.

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It's a little known fact that Batman's belt is no mere fearsome fashion accessory but also home to many high-tech gadgets, shown in a new Batman: Arkham Asylum trailer.

Batman arrives August 25 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the PhysX-packing PC version delayed until September 15. Give the demo a shot over on FileShack.

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As the Demoman, it's eerie just how much in common I have with Batman, even beyond the fact that both our names end in "man." Batman is a vigilante, operating outside the law to bring criminals to justice. The Demoman doesn't play by society's rules either: when installing a new game I often accept the terms of the license agreements without even reading them.... Read more

Get your post-demo fix of Batman talk with this new dev diary, a behind-the-scenes look at Rocksteady Studios' work on the project.

Arkham hits the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on August 25, with the PC version following up on September 15.

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It's a great week for weekend deals out there. Steam and Direct2Drive are both offering fantastic deals on indie bundles, and other outlets are busy competing over preorder and post-release savings. Following the release of the Batman: Arkham Asylum demo, we've also got a quick breakdown on preorder pricing for that specific game.

Reminder: this list does not attempt to offer a complete, scientific picture of every deal on the internet. But as always, do feel free to let us know if we've missed any sweet sales.

• Steam's huge indie games sale offers 10 indie games--including Braid, World of Goo, and The Path--for a mere $30, or an alternate five-pack for $20. Also, The Witcher: Director's Cut is $28, Trackmania United Forever is $20, and Prototype is down to $40.

• Direct2Drive's Best of Indie Bundle includes five indie... Read more

PC gamers can now don their digital cape and cowls, as developer Rocksteady has released the demo for Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Grab the 2GB, PhysX-enabled demo now. Do take note that, while the demo supports Nvidia 3D glasses, it does not require them in the least.

The demo has already been released on PlayStation 3, and should shortly appear is now available on Xbox Live.

Expect the full game to hit Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on August 25. The PC version has been kicked back to September 15.

It's a monster of a PlayStation Store update today, with a downloadable demo of Batman: Arkham Asylum and the third map pack for Call of Duty: World at War among today's various additions to the PlayStation 3's online marketplace. The entirety of today's update follows below. And if you're craving that Batman demo but are sans PlayStation 3, don't fret--it's slated to hit Xbox 360 and PC tomorrow, with the full game hitting consoles August 25 and following in PC form September 15.

Downloadable Games

Crystal Defenders ($9.99)
Crystal Defenders is a defensive strategy game in which players deploy popular jobs from FINAL FANTASY Tactics A2, such a... Read more

Once expected to hit alongside the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions on August 25, the PC release of Batman: Arkham Asylum has been pushed back to September 15 in North America and September 18 in Europe, publishers Warner Bros. and Eidos said today.

In addition, the pair revealed that the PC edition of Rocksteady's detective comic brawler will make use of the PhysX technology supported by NVIDIA's GeForce hardware.

"Supporting NVIDIA PhysX technology has allowed us to add that little bit extra to the PC version of the game," explained director Sefton Hill. "As Batman interacts with the world, the aging asylum creates a more immersive, believable world."

Though the retail release has been delayed, the downloadable demo is apparently still on track for tomorrow, with more on the PhysX effects following... Read more

With a downloadable demo of Batman: Arkham Asylum hitting all three platforms--PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360--later this week, co-publishers Warner and Eidos have issued a trailer that summarizes past vignettes in, essentially, a greatest hits montage.

Developed by Rocksteady, the detective brawling game hits retail on August 25.

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A downloadable demo of Rocksteady's detective comic brawler Batman: Arkham Asylum will be available worldwide this Friday, August 7, publisher Eidos announced today. The demo will be available in three flavors--PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360--with the retail version of Arkham Asylum hitting the same platforms August 25. As the PS Store is usually updated on Thursdays, don't be surprised if the demo debuts a bit early.

The download, which kicks off as Batman delivers The Joker to Arkham Asylum, is said to sample the "Invisible Predator" stealth and "FreeFlow combat" mechanics, as well as provide a glimpse of the "infamous foes" players will face off against in the full version.

A new Batman: Arkham Asylum developer diary entry sees the Rocksteady Studios team explaining their desire for players to feel like the dark knight himself--playing with handy gizmos and lurking unseen in the shadows, emerging to soundly thrash ne'er do wells.

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Batman: Arkham Asylum is released on August 25 for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.