The Batman Arkham series has had its fair share of ups, downs, and spin-offs, but fans weren’t expecting to see traces of a long-canceled entry suddenly reappear in 2025.
That’s exactly what happened when early prototype footage leaked online, revealing what was once intended to be a full-fledged Batman game with Damian Wayne at the center.
Internally referred to as Project Sabbath, this scrapped title was being developed sometime after Arkham Knight wrapped up, and it was shaping up to be very different from anything Rocksteady or WB Games had done before.
How Far Along Was the Game Before It Was Scrapped?
In the leaked video shared by The Atomsmith, Damian as Batman pursues Killer Croc on bikes during a chase scene.
The visuals are obviously in the early stages, featuring recycled character models from Arkham Origins and unfinished textures in the environment, but the footage clearly proves the game was real.
The fact that both characters are engaged in such a unique, cinematic chase shows that the game had advanced past the concept phase into something playable, at least in vertical slice form.
How Was Damian Wayne’s Batman Designed?
Damian’s Batsuit in the footage seems to mix the Batman Beyond style from Arkham Knight with the heavier, more armored design seen in Thomas Wayne.
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+ 5His acrobatic and precise motions imply the game intended a new combat system tailored to a younger, more aggressive Batman.
Meanwhile, Killer Croc’s model looked more like his earlier humanoid design, possibly showing a move away from his monstrous look in Arkham Knight.
What Kind of Story Would the Game Have Told?
Story-wise, the game would’ve taken place after Bruce Wayne’s time under the cowl, with a retired Bruce mentoring his son from the sidelines.
click to enlarge + 5Concept art revealed an older, bearded Bruce walking with a cane while Damian took center stage in his new role.
More art revealed characters such as Huntress, hinting at a larger story that includes other DC heroes or vigilantes.
Even with all its potential, Project Sabbath was eventually canceled to make room for what became Gotham Knights.
Why Was the Game Cancelled?
According to insiders, WB’s push for a live-service direction caused the devs to abandon the solo Arkham formula and concentrate on multiplayer, leading to the project’s messy cancellation.
click to enlarge + 5Others believe the game’s connection to the Arkham timeline clashed with Rocksteady’s own plans for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Either way, what was once planned as a bold new direction for the series was quietly reworked, shelved, and largely forgotten—until now.
Was There a Trailer or Demo?
One of the more surprising revelations is that a CGI trailer created by Blur Studios was reportedly completed and scheduled to be shown at PSX 2016 before being pulled at the last second.
click to enlarge + 5Along with a near-complete vertical slice demo, that trailer is now part of the growing mythos surrounding this canceled project.
According to seasoned leakers, core features such as the Batcycle, playing as two characters and open-world exploration were reused in Gotham Knights. While that game divided fans, many now see what we missed out on.
Could Damian’s Arkham Story Still Be Revived?
Despite never advancing beyond internal development, the leaked Project Sabbath prototype has stirred up excitement about a possibly groundbreaking Arkham entry.
click to enlarge + 5The elements were all included: Damian Wayne as Batman, Bruce stepping back as a mentor, and a tone darker but fitting to the series, though it was short-lived.
Although WB Games Montreal and Rocksteady haven’t confirmed revisiting this Bat-family story, the leak suggests that Damian Wayne’s Arkham legacy never disappeared but simply never got started.
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