The adventure, which is the third in a series, was initially² scheduled to go on sale for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC platforms later this year.

 

The postponement³ follows a spate⁴ of delays to other high-profile games, including Dying Light, Mad Max, Quantum Break and The Order: 1886.

 

They are all "next gen" games, which use the most complex visual effects.

 

Mark Ward⁵, a spokesman for Warner Bros Games - which owns the London-based developers of Batman, Rocksteady - said the decision to "extend the development of the game" was taken "to ensure that the trilogy gets the epic⁶ conclusion that Batman fans want and deserve".

 

Mr Ward added that Batman: Arkham Knight is the "most ambitious title Rocksteady has ever created".

 

 

The recently delayed "blockbuster" releases are all graphically⁷ intensive games, which use cutting-edge（先进的） visual effects technologies and have high development costs.

 

Crucially, they are all next generation games, which are only available on the most up-to-date consoles, forcing devoted⁸ users to upgrade. 

 

Ed Barton, an analyst⁹ at Ovum, told the BBC games developers were making fewer games and spending more on the titles they did produce.

 

Due to the risk of failure, which is "higher than it's ever been" companies prefer to "make the market wait a few more months and spend more on development," he added.

 

Some devoted Batman fans took to social networks to express their disappointment with the delay, but Warner Bros gave them a new teaser trailer to "keep them excited," said Chris Dring, editor of games magazine MCV. 

 

While there is always a risk of alienating¹⁰ gamers with consistent delays, the "bigger risk is alienating gamers by making a bad game", added Mr Dring.

 

But, as Mr Barton points out: "If no-one is getting upset at your game being delayed, you know you have a problem."

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