Ninja Theory, the studio behind the 2007 action game
Heavenly Sword, has revealed its latest project:
Enslaved, a "tactical action/adventure" set in a post-apocalyptic United States.
The announcement was made by Namco Bandai Games, which will be publishing the game next year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Last month, the company said it would publish a Ninja Theory game, and said by combining its own U.S. production staff with a UK-based developer, it would work to "globalize the development of Western-focused games."
In late 2008, Namco Bandai created the publishing label "Surge" for its games targeted at Western audiences, and this year released the brand's debut title,
Afro Samurai, to mixed reviews. Since then, the company has called little attention to Surge -- and no mention of the label was made in today's
Enslaved announcement.
Prior to
Heavenly Sword's release, Ninja Theory had indicated its expectation to develop multiple sequels. However, as of last year, the developer said it would be moving towards multiplatform development. The intellectual property is still owned by publisher Sony Computer Entertainment.
Enslaved is being co-written by novelist and screenwriter Alex Garland, a frequent creative partner of director Danny Boyle. Garland has an existing video game connection, having written an unfilmed screenplay for the beleaguered
Halo movie project, to have been produced by Peter Jackson. And Peter Jackson collaborator Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films, will be playing a hand in directing and performing motion capture for
Enslaved's main character, Monkey (a human).
