Special edition Unreal II due next week

Atari sent out a publicity blast today about the upcoming special edition of its sci-fi shooter Unreal II: The Awakening. Like the original, the game is rated "M" for mature, but it will cost $29.99 instead of $19.99.

For the extra $10, the new version will include the XMP expanded online multiplayer mode. XMP lets players team up and fight each other with the game's arsenal of futuristic weaponry and vehicles for control of power sources and alien artifacts.

A free-standing XMP demo will be available for download on GameSpot as early as tomorrow. Current owners of Unreal II will be able to download the XMP multiplayer mode for free shortly after the special edition, which also includes the original game, is released next week.