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Batman: Arkham City to get early release at Times Square event

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Batman-Arkham-City-screenshotHoly pre-release, Batman! If you’re the sort who’s counting down the days until Batman: Arkham City is comfortably nestled in your favorite console, you might want to make a trip to Times Square in the near future to pick up the game 24 hours early, courtesy of an upcoming Toys R Us event.

The central Manhattan location of the popular toy chain will make the much-anticipated sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum available on Monday, October 17 — a full day before it officially hits shelves.

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Only 500 copies of the game will be available at the event, and the first 100 customers to pre-order a copy through the store’s “Personal Shopping Department” will have a chance to get their game autographed by DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee, Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, Arkham City game director Sefton Hill.

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The remaining 400 copies of Arkham City can be purchased at the event, which starts at 4 PM at the Toys R Us in Times Square.

Here’s the full text of the press release:

BAT-SIGNAL SHINES ON TOYS”R”US® TIMES SQUARE DURING LAUNCH OF BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY FROM ­­­­WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS

500 Advance Copies Glide Into The World’s Greatest Toy Store® On October 17; First 100 Copies to Be Signed During Appearances by Jim Lee, Kevin Conroy and Sefton Hill

WHO:
Jim Lee, legendary artist and co-publisher at DC Entertainment
Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and Batman: The Animated Series
Sefton Hill, Game Director at Rocksteady Studios

WHAT:
On Monday, October 17, Toys”R”Us® Times Square, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DC Entertainment and Rocksteady Studios invite gamers to don the cowl of the Caped Crusader when a combined total of 500 copies of Batman: Arkham City for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 become available one day earlier than the game’s official U.S. release.

Now through Monday, October 17, the first 100 customers to pre-purchase a copy of Batman: Arkham City for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 through the Personal Shopping Department at Toys”R”Us Times Square will receive a ticket, reserving a copy of the game and granting access to a special signing event where they will have the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from Jim Lee, Kevin Conroy and Sefton Hill.* 400 additional customers can also purchase the game during the event, without a signature.

Toys”R”Us Times Square visitors can also experience activities from 4 – 7 pm on the day of the event, including a special appearance by Batman and Catwoman, who will pose for pictures with customers who bring their own cameras. Visitors will also be able to pose with a statue of Batman, dressed in his Arkham City costume, which will be featured in the store. As a bonus, Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will showcase demos of the game.

MEDIA OPPS:
Film/Photography elements include:
* Interviews with Jim Lee, Kevin Conroy and Sefton Hill**
* Customers purchasing Batman: Arkham City
* Customers receiving autographs from Jim Lee, Kevin Conroy and Sefton Hill
* Batman and Catwoman posing with fans
* Rocksteady Studios interviews and demonstrations of Batman: Arkham City

WHEN:
Monday, October 17
Media Call Time: 3:30 pm
Event Begins: 4 pm

WHERE:
Toys”R”Us Times Square, Level Three
1514 Broadway (at 44th Street)
New York, NY

If you’re thinking about making the trek, make sure to get there early, as lines will probably start forming well before the event’s kickoff time.

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Rick Marshall
Rick Marshall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering local and national news, arts and entertainment, and…
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