Can you smell it? That's the aroma of an approaching E3 2010, and developers and publishers are doing what they can to pump PC gamers up with anticipation of titles to come. While Valve has many of us dangling by a thread with its impending surprise, news of Gas Powered Games handing the reigns of the Dungeon Siege franchise over to Obsidian Entertainment leads us to wonder where the action/RPG franchise is heading.
Announced on Monday, the third installment will not only have a new developer, but a new publisher as well: Square Enix. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Time will tell. Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games will still have a hand in the game's overall development, serving as adviser/supervisor. The new title will even attempt to retain "the best features" of the first two installments, however new elements will be incorporated such as a co-op mode and support for up to four players.
“It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with Obsidian," Chis Taylor said. "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."
Taylor may be right. With Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights and Fallout: New Vegas under its belt, Obsidian Entertainment should breathe new life into the stagnant action/RPG series. The company will really need to put its "all" into the game's development, as it will likely compete with another highly-anticipated action/RPG game called Diablo III.
As for the story, here's the description ripped from the press release:
Torn asunder, the delicate balance of power between the kingdom of Ehb's powerful factions has fallen apart. As one of the few remaining members of the disgraced protectors of the land, the 10th Legion, it is up to you to rebuild the once great Legion and stop Ehb from falling into darkness. Joined by a group of unique companions, you will travel through the striking land of Ehb defeating all manner of villains and beasts through a combination of heroic abilities, screen shaking magic and fearsome weapons.
Dungeon Siege III currently doesn't have a release date, however the game is slated for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.
