Square Enix has announced that it is breathing life back into the Dungeon Siege franchise and that it will cooperate with Obsidian Entertainment to bring a new installment in the adventure series to market. Gas Powered Games and it’s CEO Chris Taylor will assist developement by taking on an advisory role. Gas Powered Games was the developer behind the first two installments in the franchise, which were released for the PC in 2002 and 2005. The last game in the franchise was known as Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agonyand was released in 2006 for the PSP.
Dungeon Siege III will be the first title in the series to be released for next-gen consoles and will feature offline and online cooperative multiplayer. A release window was not revealed, though Square Enix confirmed that the game will be released for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
Comments from the developer and published can be found after the jump, along with four pieces of concept art for the game.
On consoles and in HD for the first time, the game will feature a cooperative multiplayer mode in addition to classic aspects of the Dungeon Siege franchise. Chris Taylor, the original creator of the series, will be overseeing the development of the new title, which promises seamless fusion of action-based gameplay and deep RPG character progression in a living, breathing world.
Taylor commented,
“It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with Obsidian. They are a very talented developer who really knows what it takes to build a deep and engaging RPG experience, and I can’t think of a better group to continue the Dungeon Siege series.”
Feargus Urquhart, CEO and founder of Obsidian Entertainment, replied, saying:
“It’s a distinct privilege and thrill to become a part of the Dungeon Siege legacy. This partnership with Square Enix is a milestone for both Obsidian and the franchise, and the two companies’ strengths for compelling characters and storytelling will shine throughout Dungeon Siege III.”
Mike Sherlock, the Co-Chief Operating Officer of Square Enix Europe, said:
“Square Enix is proud to partner with Obsidian Entertainment for Dungeon Siege III. The company has a history in making some of the most immersive and entertaining videogames and is a perfect fit to take the franchise forward and create a new benchmark for the action-RPG.”
The storyline follows a power struggle taking place in the Kingdom of Ehb and the fall of the 10th Legion, of which you are a member. Allied with numerous unique companions, it’s up to you to stop Ehb from falling into darkness.
Expect more info on Dungeon Siege III during E3.
