Batman from Saints Row creators. The game that was built on the ashes of a project buried by GTA 3

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In 2001, the unveiling of Grand Theft Auto III revolutionized the gaming world, demonstrating a captivating portrayal of a criminal underworld and showcasing what an open-world game, or “sandbox,” should embody in the new millennium.

The tremendous achievement of GTA 3 inspired numerous other developers to work on similar projects, but ultimately these projects were abandoned. This was due to a concern about being compared unfavorably to the creations of Rockstar Games, as they felt they couldn’t compete equally with them.

The same destiny struck Volition Inc., a studio known for working on a game set in the criminal underworld called “Underground“. It may appear as if they were laying the foundation for the Saints Row series, which successfully established itself in the market, but that’s not accurate. After scrapping this project, the team chose to reimagine it and transform it into a Batman-themed adventure instead.

Batman instead of a gangster

Instead of immersing myself in the expansive, character-driven world of GTA 3, I was eagerly anticipating Underground, a game that promised a shift in focus towards strategically planning heists and stealthily navigating levels, all while utilizing advanced gadgets. Unlike the sandbox-style freedom offered by GTA 3, the gameplay in Underground was rumored to be more akin to Splinter Cell, with a third-person perspective adding to the stealthy experience. If you’re curious about how it would play out, take a look at the video below starting from 37:01, which offers a glimpse into the action-packed world of Underground.

In the end, the decision was made to categorize the game as a duplicate of “GTA 3“, which resulted in its termination. However, as GamesRadar points out, this project didn’t entirely disappear but was revived instead. They simply needed to alter the main character, replace his gadgets, perhaps add some visual flair to the setting, and presto – they had a potential Batman game concept ready to go.

Almost like Splinter Cell

In 2003, the updated version of this project was born. While the video footage found online doesn’t offer high-quality visuals, it does provide a glimpse into what Batman, developed by Volition, might be like. Essentially, we’re looking at a stealth action game that allows you to move silently, ambush enemies, manipulate security systems, and utilize an array of tools.

In this scenario, the task at hand is similar to plotting routes from one location (point A) to another (point B), using a restricted set of items at our disposal. Key equipment includes binoculars for examining locations safely from afar and a rope with a hook for traversing chasms, covering distances in the air, and descending from significant heights. Additionally, we would have Batman’s cape for gliding and batarangs to neutralize threats from a secure distance.

Although Batman in the Volition game was primarily designed for stealth, it was possible to engage in more overt combat as well. However, the footage you’ll see in the video below shows a version that was still far from complete, so the open combat element was only partially implemented at that stage.

What happened next?

According to GamesRadar’s editor, the tech demo from Volition Inc. for PS2 resembles an early version of Batman: Arkham, but it’s more like Batman Begins on PlayStation 2. If Volition had finished this project, we could have gotten a game that might have been superior to Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation.

Sadly, the opportunity didn’t arise for Volition. Luckily, the crew who made a name for themselves with titles such as Red Faction, were given the task to create their own take on the GTA series. This ultimately proved successful for them.

While enthusiasts of the superhero had to endure a wait until 2009 for a successful outing starring Batman, when the popular game Batman: Arkham Asylum hit the market. During this period, Gotham by Gaslight was also in the works, but unfortunately, like the project mentioned above, it met its end at an even earlier stage of production.

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2025-06-08 21:02