Few topics rankle the feathers of the video game enthusiast these days quite like that of pre-order bonus content. Whether it's lamenting the excising of content from a game for the sake of releasing it later as a bonus (or paid DLC), offering unlocks for content that's already on the disc, or tossing so many confusing, bizarre options out there that invariably, everyone is going to end up disappointed, there isn't an awful lot to like about pre-ordering games these days.

One of the more extreme examples of pre-ordering insanity comes from WB Games and developer Rocksteady's upcoming Batman sequel, Arkham City. We've heard over the last few weeks about a variety of different pre-order options coming our way, including everything from various Batman character skins, to Joker-oriented challenge maps and even the boy wonder himself. Robin, as a playable character. But between all these different pieces of content, as well as the various retailer exclusivity deals attached to them, figuring out where, how, and why to pre-order has apparently been something of a headache for would-be players.

We know this, because a moderator on the official Arkham City forums actually went to the trouble of creating a pre-ordering guide for anyone trying to figure out where to get the content they want. Yes, that's right: a guide to pre-ordering a game. I'm not completely certain if this is the last sign of the apocalypse before the Horsemen come down and start inflicting plague, pestilence and pre-order bonuses on the screaming, writhing masses, but it certainly looks like it.

The list is especially confusing because different regions have different retailers, and thus the exclusivity deals change depending on which portion of the planet you dwell within. Take a look at this list, and do your best not to go boss-eyed.

ROBIN

• GERMANY -AMAZON
• FRANCE- MICROMANIA
• HOLLAND - GAMEMANIA
• BELGUIM - GAMEMANIA AND SMARTOYS
• ITALY - GAMESTOP
• NORDICS- GAMESTOP
• NORTH AMERICA - BESTBUY
• CANADA - BEST BUY
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI
• MEXICO - GAMERUSH

BATMAN 1970S SKIN

• UK- SHOPTONET
• FRANCE- AMAZON
• ITALY- FNAC
• AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES

JOKER DLC MAP (CARNIVAL)

• GERMANY - MEDIA MARKT
• FRANCE - GAME
• HOLLAND AND BELGIUM - FREE RECORD SHOP
• ITALY - MEDIA MARKET
• US - GAMESTOP
• AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES
• CANADA- GAMESTOP

ANIMATED SERIES SKIN

• GERMANY - SATURN
• FRANCE- CASINO
• HOLLAND- BART SMIT
• BELGIUM - FNAC
• ITALY- FELTRINELLI
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI

BATMAN BEYOND SKIN

• UK - GAMESTOP
• GERMANY - MULLER GE PLAYART AUSTRIA
• FRANCE- AUCHAN
• HOLLAND- MICROMEDIA
• BELIGUM - HORELEC
• ITALY- OPENGAMES
• AUSTRALIA - GAME
• MEXICO - GAMERS RETAIL

BATMAN YEAR ONE SKIN

• GERMANY - EXPERT
• FRANCE - FNAC
• BELGIUM - DREAMLAND COLRUYT
• ITALY- BLOCKBUSTER

BATMAN EARTH ONE SKIN

• GERMANY- GAMESTOP
• FRANCE- JEUX VIDEO & CO
• HOLLAND- GAMEWORLD
• BELGIUM- BEMS
• ITALY - CIDIVERTE
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI

US

• AMAZON - $10 Amazon credit and Arkham City Comic (print version of the 5 digital comics)
• WALMART- $ 10 egift card

Congratulations. If you managed to get through all of that and make it to the other side unscathed, you get your baby brother back and David Bowie will sing you a nice ballad.

The worst part of all of this? It isn't even the complete list. Several territories and retailers aren't even finalized yet, meaning that more layers of obfuscation will be added to the process before we even get within punching distance of playing this game. We've reached out to WB Games for any info as to whether these pieces of content will become paid DLC in the foreseeable future or not, but as of yet have not received a response. I'll update this story if they get back to us.

(Thanks to whatisdelicious for sending this in!)

Few topics rankle the feathers of the video game enthusiast these days quite like that of pre-order bonus content. Whether it's lamenting the excising of content from a game for the sake of releasing it later as a bonus (or paid DLC), offering unlocks for content that's already on the disc, or tossing so many confusing, bizarre options out there that invariably, everyone is going to end up disappointed, there isn't an awful lot to like about pre-ordering games these days.

One of the more extreme examples of pre-ordering insanity comes from WB Games and developer Rocksteady's upcoming Batman sequel, Arkham City. We've heard over the last few weeks about a variety of different pre-order options coming our way, including everything from various Batman character skins, to Joker-oriented challenge maps and even the boy wonder himself. Robin, as a playable character. But between all these different pieces of content, as well as the various retailer exclusivity deals attached to them, figuring out where, how, and why to pre-order has apparently been something of a headache for would-be players.

We know this, because a moderator on the official Arkham City forums actually went to the trouble of creating a pre-ordering guide for anyone trying to figure out where to get the content they want. Yes, that's right: a guide to pre-ordering a game. I'm not completely certain if this is the last sign of the apocalypse before the Horsemen come down and start inflicting plague, pestilence and pre-order bonuses on the screaming, writhing masses, but it certainly looks like it.

The list is especially confusing because different regions have different retailers, and thus the exclusivity deals change depending on which portion of the planet you dwell within. Take a look at this list, and do your best not to go boss-eyed.

ROBIN

• GERMANY -AMAZON
• FRANCE- MICROMANIA
• HOLLAND - GAMEMANIA
• BELGUIM - GAMEMANIA AND SMARTOYS
• ITALY - GAMESTOP
• NORDICS- GAMESTOP
• NORTH AMERICA - BESTBUY
• CANADA - BEST BUY
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI
• MEXICO - GAMERUSH

BATMAN 1970S SKIN

• UK- SHOPTONET
• FRANCE- AMAZON
• ITALY- FNAC
• AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES

JOKER DLC MAP (CARNIVAL)

• GERMANY - MEDIA MARKT
• FRANCE - GAME
• HOLLAND AND BELGIUM - FREE RECORD SHOP
• ITALY - MEDIA MARKET
• US - GAMESTOP
• AUSTRALIA - EB GAMES
• CANADA- GAMESTOP

ANIMATED SERIES SKIN

• GERMANY - SATURN
• FRANCE- CASINO
• HOLLAND- BART SMIT
• BELGIUM - FNAC
• ITALY- FELTRINELLI
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI

BATMAN BEYOND SKIN

• UK - GAMESTOP
• GERMANY - MULLER GE PLAYART AUSTRIA
• FRANCE- AUCHAN
• HOLLAND- MICROMEDIA
• BELIGUM - HORELEC
• ITALY- OPENGAMES
• AUSTRALIA - GAME
• MEXICO - GAMERS RETAIL

BATMAN YEAR ONE SKIN

• GERMANY - EXPERT
• FRANCE - FNAC
• BELGIUM - DREAMLAND COLRUYT
• ITALY- BLOCKBUSTER

BATMAN EARTH ONE SKIN

• GERMANY- GAMESTOP
• FRANCE- JEUX VIDEO & CO
• HOLLAND- GAMEWORLD
• BELGIUM- BEMS
• ITALY - CIDIVERTE
• AUSTRALIA - JB HIFI

US

• AMAZON - $10 Amazon credit and Arkham City Comic (print version of the 5 digital comics)
• WALMART- $ 10 egift card

Congratulations. If you managed to get through all of that and make it to the other side unscathed, you get your baby brother back and David Bowie will sing you a nice ballad.

The worst part of all of this? It isn't even the complete list. Several territories and retailers aren't even finalized yet, meaning that more layers of obfuscation will be added to the process before we even get within punching distance of playing this game. We've reached out to WB Games for any info as to whether these pieces of content will become paid DLC in the foreseeable future or not, but as of yet have not received a response. I'll update this story if they get back to us.

(Thanks to whatisdelicious for sending this in!)

I want these!

classic ftw

I fucking hate shit like this.

What the heck!?

BATMANBATMANBATMAN

I am blind. Would it be correct to say that the other skins would eventually be released, ala Mortal Kombat style skins. 

I just wanna see a larger pic of all the costumes.

that labrynth reference... damn you navarro

funny thing is ... there isn't even a CE for the PC version ... at least not at my usual retailers.

They're going to sell all of these as DLC later, right? RIGHT?

I am blind. Would it be correct to say that the other skins would eventually be released, ala Mortal Kombat style skins. 

You know when you have to run a preordering guide that there's a problem. Also extremely jealous that the UK gets the Batman Beyond skin and we don't.

@Dany said:

I fucking hate shit like this.

This. Even if they'll be made available to everyone post launch, it's ridiculous. Especially if they then charge for it also. Post game DLC I support. Even launch day DLC - the way games are made, some of that stuff really is stuff they only started working on when the game went gold.

But costumes like this? Eurgh. Early access preorder incentive is fine as long as everyone can unlock it through normal gameplay.

i spotted an Alex post 10 miles away, also inserting david bowie into this makes it 100% win.. but wtf is this mess with batman..ugh.

This is getting insanely stupid (more so). since it's just a matter of time before they become DLC.

That being said I wouldn't mind the Batman Beyond skin. But it's not available in my country or neighbouring countries.

ok i have no idea what i will get if i preorder, is GAME doing anything?

So I'm just going to wait until this is on sale for $10 on Steam then.

Looks like I'm ordering amazon, I'd love that batman beyond skin though : (

• NORTH AMERICA - BESTBUY
• CANADA - BEST BUY

What is this I don't even

Wait. Does that mean Canada can't get that animated series skin? D:!

Wait, where do I have to preorder to get just the main game?

I´m so confused....

UK Giant Bomb Bros: ShopTo offers free Next Day delivery as standard and 95% of the time is the cheapest option. ALWAYS USE SHOPTO.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

Hype = 110%

UK has Gamestop?

I've never seen one, I know we have like 4 Best Buys though.

Wait, UK doesn't get robin? I'm pissed.

The only thing I looked for was to see the status of the animated series outfit. I guess I won't be getting that day one.

Gotta catch 'em all!

I say who cares!  These are all obviously going to be DLC in the near future.  They released all the challenge maps from the first game.   Hell... might even be worth it to wait for a GOTY edition with everything packed in and a cheaper price.

CHAOS.

They're going to sell all of these as DLC later, right? RIGHT?

Congratulations. If you managed to get through all of that and make it to the other side unscathed, you get your baby brother back and David Bowie will sing you a nice ballad.

If you preorder from me you can get an exclusive Russian Martian Batman skin 
 

This on top of the $70 price tag here? 
 
Sorry AC, I'm not buying you until you make the bargain bin. 

BATMAN BATMAN BATMAN BATMAN BATMAN......FATMAN?

Ugh! what a mess.

HEY, GUESS WHAT? Amazon gives you $10 for pre-ordering the game! They throw in some comics, that's cool I guess, but I get a $10 dollar gift-card to the only place I buy stuff. That sounds like the better deal by quite a margin.

what amount of money do i need to give WB/where do i need to preorder to get them to make the entire game look like the Animated Series skin? cause i will pay a hefty sum for that to happen

cant get the animated series skin in US what BS

Okay, so I'm from Denmark and I've ordered the collectors edition from Game.co.uk which gives me the Dark Knight Returns skin. Now, I just need to buy the game 7 more times from retailers across Europe to get the complete experience. Great!

So, you can't even get any of the Batman skins in the US? What kind of horseshit is that?

@adoggz said:

If you preorder from me you can get an exclusive Russian Martian Batman skin

OR Green Lantern Batman skin.

supplies are limited! Order Now!

Shame on everyone else that I'm the first to quote this. SHAME ON YOU ALL.

So, US can only get a comic, the Joker DLC, or Robin? No Batman costumes? That's lame...

Thanks, business majors!

Reminds me of the chart someone had to make for Dragon Age: Origins... 
 

I'd say all the skins will go up as a paid DLC pack within a month of release.

this kind of shenanigans make me not pre-order a game and indeed not buy it new. I can wait for a good game. In six months when its cheaper and maybe even pre-owned it's still a good game. If it had one universal pre-order goody then fine - everyone gets it but this piecemeal nonsense has to stop.

@adoggz: Spec-tacular. Be on the lookout for my $350 in your letterbox.

Where can I get the Batman Beyond skin? That's got my monies. 
 
ANd what is that Fat Bat Man? And who the hell would want Robin? That guys teh uber ghey.