Technical issues on Windows version
The Windows version of the game was poorly received, with criticism aimed mostly at the technical issues present at the time of the game's release,
[166][167][168] ultimately leading to sales being suspended.
[90] On June 23, 2015, the launch day for
Arkham Knight, thousands of users reported major technical flaws and performance problems with the Windows version of the game, with some saying it seemed like the optimization phase of the game's development was skipped.
[169][170] Steam users immediately wrote scathing reviews of the game's performance, including reports of
frame rate being capped at 30 frames per second (which could be raised, though with potential side effects)
[166][171] and dropping as low as 10 frames per second while gliding or using the Batmobile.
[170]
Even high-end
graphics cards such as
Nvidia's
GeForce GTX 970 were unable to handle the game well, with users reporting frequent frame rate dips and stutters.
[172] Nvidia and
AMD released new
device drivers optimized for the game in an attempt to address the performance issues, with Steam "strongly recommending" their download.
[168] The developer, Rocksteady, issued a statement saying they were aware of the issues and were "working closely with [their] external PC development partner",
Iron Galaxy Studios, to resolve them.
[167][173]
On June 24, 2015, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced that it would suspend sales of the Windows version of
Arkham Knight in order to work on addressing the performance issues to satisfy the company's quality standards. They also offered refunds for anyone who already purchased the game.
[90] Three days later, a patch was released which fixed some crash-causing problems. Rocksteady noted that they were continuing to focus on the frame rate problem, the low-resolution texture, and overall performance problems, among other issues needing fixes.
[174] In early July 2015,
Kotaku reported that Warner Bros. were aware of the issues on the Windows version, with their sources stating they chose to ship the game as it was, "not to maniacally screw over customers—but because they believed it was good enough."
[87] Kotaku Australia additionally reported that the issues would not be fixed until at least September 2015, and that all stock retail versions were being recalled.
[175] By the middle of July, Warner Bros. announced they were "targeting an interim patch update for existing players to be released in August."
[176]
On August 21, 2015, Warner Bros. revealed the first interim patch was being tested, with a hope "to issue the patch in the next few weeks." The patch addresses frame rate hitches, optimization for graphics cards, the ability to change the max frames per second to 30, 60, and 90, additional granular settings for motion blur, film grain, and chromatic aberration, more texture options, and other settings, and a problem with the game running on mechanical hard drives versus solid state. Lesser priorities intended to be covered include the photo mode and downloadable content.
[177] The patch was released on September 4, 2015.
[178] Rocksteady and Warner Bros. announced that the game would be available for sale again on October 28, 2015, along with a patch updating the game to include all previously released DLC and content updates, except console exclusives.
[111] After the game was made available again, it was still criticized for lingering technical issues,
[179] resulting in Warner Bros. offering full refunds for the game as well as the game's season pass until the end of 2015, regardless of how long the game was owned. Warner Bros. also stated they would continue to address issues with the Windows version for those who chose to keep the game.
[180]
