Sierra announces The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Taking advantage of new hardware technologies, the game will present a reinvention of Escape from Butcher Bay, delivering 2004's award winning experience in high definition with stunning enhancements. Also included is the Dark Athena chapter, an expansion of the original game with an exciting new story and new gameplay features. Scheduled to ship later in 2007, it is being produced under license from Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group, in association with Vin Diesel's Tigon Studios, and is being developed by Starbreeze Studios, acclaimed developer of the original edition.

With The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, players will not only be challenged to survive Butcher Bay, but will also engage in a new single-player experience and, for the first time in the Riddick universe, take action in intense multi-player combat. The game introduces the ominous Merc-ship Dark Athena, which sits silent like a marauding spider, awaiting helpless prey in the dark reaches of the galaxy. Players must face a large, bloodthirsty operation led by the dreaded Captain Revas and her slaves-turned-controllable combat drones, storm though death-defying events and fight fierce enemies in a battle of malice and gore.

First released in 2004, The Chronicles of Riddick game features an original storyline that provides insight into the mythology of Universal Pictures' films The Chronicles of Riddick and the cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Vin Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick. The game blends action and stealth elements, as players navigate Riddick through the harsh environments of dank tunnels, dimly lit corridors, and other hazardous areas filled with guards, savage inmates and deadly creatures that prowl the darkness.

"The Chronicles of Riddick is a genre defining game that helped shape the modern first-person shooter," said Al Simone, senior vice president, global marketing for Sierra Entertainment. "We are proud to not only take this 'Best in Class' title to the next level for both the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, but to create a new single-player experience and multi-player campaigns for a truly robust product offering."

"When the original The Chronicles of Riddick game exploded on the scene, gamers were taken with its fantastic graphics and hard-hitting gameplay," said Bill Kispert, Vice President and General Manager, Interactive, Universal Pictures. "We are excited to now introduce new players to this character and world, while thrilling existing fans with the surprises and additional features this edition will offer."

"The Riddick universe is incredibly rich source material for creating on-going stories and games," said Cos Lazouras, Head of Production, Tigon Studios. "This next chronicle will take us to new, dark corners of that universe, which when combined with Starbreeze's fantastic next-gen technology, will deliver the compelling player experience gamers have come to expect of Riddick."

"We're very happy to be working in the Riddick universe again," said Ian Stevens, Lead Game Designer, Starbreeze Studios. "Assault on Dark Athena gives us an opportunity to revisit the original game and share it with a new audience, as well as offer a continuation of the Butcher Bay gameplay and storyline. We're also thrilled to be bringing Multiplayer to the game."

Moving and attacking in darkness is particularly effective for Riddick as his haunting "eye shine" gives him the ability to see without ambient light. However, stealth won't serve every situation and players will be able to take the action up close and personal. As Riddick, players will be able to sneak up behind enemies and snap necks or fight face to face using fists, elbows and grapples. Additionally, players will be able to capture weapons such as shanks, shotguns, or assault rifles and use these to cut a swath of destruction through anyone who gets in their way.