Dark Athena 'just about done'

Swedish developer Starbreeze confirms its expanded Chronicles of Riddick remake is nearing completion; publisher still TBD.

When Activision and Vivendi Games combined their businesses earlier this year, more than a few Sierra Entertainment games suddenly found themselves without a publisher. Among the projects that did not make the cut were Double Fine Productions' Brutal Legend and Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters.

But even before the Activision-Vivendi merger turmoil, one game whose fate was in question was Starbreeze Studios' The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Though Sierra had officially announced the game for a release in late 2007, neither publisher nor developer offered any details on the project after its projected release window came and went.

Luckily for fans of 2004's critically lauded The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, not only is Starbreeze still at work on Dark Athena, but the project is nearly done. In a succinct message on Starbreeze's official forums last week, the Web site administrator said, "Dark Athena is just about done." As had been surmised following Activision's "streamlining" of Vivendi Games, the poster also confirmed that "the big boys are deciding who is going to publish it."

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena includes a full version of Escape from Butcher Bay as additional levels set after the original's conclusion. The game will be released on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and both editions will feature online multiplayer. In 2007, executive producer Pete Wanat promised, "All the textures are being redone so it truly looks like a next-gen game." At the time, the producer also confirmed at that time that Starbreeze, Universal Pictures, and Diesel's Tigon Studios were all collaborating on the project.

136 Comments

  • DustMan2704du

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 2:21 am PT

    and the most interesting question here is....
    what about the pc version? is it officialy announced or not? by googlein it some site say no some yes.... O.รด
    well now for the game itself, tcor:escape from butcher bay is just 4 years old and it still looks almost up to date, there is no need for a remake so soon.
    they just want to pull out as much money as they can out of the franchise without doing too much.

  • nappan

    Posted Oct 21, 2008 3:09 pm PT

    I am so ready for this game. I just hope they added a TON... if this is just some gloss over I will be severely annoyed.

  • zlcool89

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:43 pm PT

    i really cannot wait for this game to finally come out.

  • atomicfly

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    BEST XBOX GAME EVER!!

  • ctg867

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 9:17 am PT

    Don't understand how one of the most critically acclaimed games on the second most successful gaming console last generation is just gonna be "dropped" for it's remake/expansion. When I heard that, I lost all faith in Acti Bliz being any different then what EA was a few years back. But now that EA has changed, I recommend we all jump on that train until it hits a couple snags.

  • Nintendo_Ownes7

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 11:59 am PT

    Good I'm defenately buying this I missed out on it the first time because I never owned an Xbox and I have doubts on if my PC could've played it.

  • necronaux

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:35 am PT

    I'm dissapointed to hear it's EfBB redone. I'd have liked to seen a new game, pushing the limits of the consoles. Man, these new levels (how many?) better be great.

  • Telekenesis123

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:33 am PT

    The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay was one of the most atmospheric games i've ever played.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 7:42 am PT

    I love the first game, my third favorite Xbox FPS (1)Halo, 2) Doom). I don't really get it why they need to release a prettier version of a game from the prior gen. Anyway, all I'm saying is, it better have up-to-date modes, and and enough features to make it fresh again.

  • AGamerDiet

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 4:51 am PT

    Wait...what...YAY!!

    I had pretty much given up hope. Everytime I went to make my gamelist for this year I wondered if I should include it, but then ultimatly wouldnt since we have had NO information on it. Now, is it actually coming out this year or next. If this year then I got to figure out how to fit it in. Probably better for it to come out next....but I dont want to wait another year .

  • Strike_Zer0

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 3:31 am PT

    Oh cool. I was worried this had been canned since we're heard so little. I missed out on the game the first time so this version seems like a great way to experience it.

  • e424pd5

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 12:53 am PT

    Yes! This was one of my favorite Xbox titles. I heard about it a long time ago, good to hear they didn't stop making it. Can't wait!

  • SaneQ

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:18 pm PT

    I'm curious to know if we have to play though butcher bay all over again, or do we get to skip that and just go with the Dark Athena content additions.

  • kstegall2

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:15 pm PT

    Can't wait!!

  • Jiggy_Wilson

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 4:07 pm PT

    It's about damn time.

  • aliko

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 3:53 pm PT

    That was a great game. I want Dark Athena!

  • Ridonkeykong

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 3:01 pm PT

    EPIC

  • americahellyeah

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 12:54 pm PT

    I thought it had been cancelled..

  • Awful_Cleric

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 11:21 am PT

    In my opinion they didn't even have to upgrade the textures. Butcher Bay was a fantastic game 4yrs ago and it will be freakin awesome when it eventually comes out!

  • DeadlyZodiac

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 11:05 am PT

    Wow I thought this game got canned. I might pick it up again since I lost my Xbox original a long time ago.

    Really good game, but probably about 2/3 of the dialogue in the game is the F word. I don't mind profanity but it just never ends. Fitting for a prison I guess.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 10:50 am PT

    If you missed out first time - now you have no excuse! This is the best movie based game ever made.

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 10:22 am PT

    This is great for anyone who missed out of Escape from Butcher Bay like myself.

  • nrt25

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 10:10 am PT

    Riddick was one of my favorite games of all time and is the only stealth action game that I ever really enjoyed a ton. A publisher needs to pick this game up ASAP.

  • jazilla

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:32 am PT

    chron. of riddick was probably the best looking game for the xbox. there are a few others, but that game really stood out from the crowd in the graphics dept. I would love to see a co-op, bust out of prison mode. that would be sick. i hope this game does well.

  • -Intellectual-

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:31 am PT

    must buy

  • Atrobasinnu

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 9:29 am PT

    Awesome! Butcher's Bay was an amazing game and adding new levels and multiplayer will effing rule.

  • chefmasterwong

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:46 am PT

    Actually, a second and third Chronicles of Riddick movies are in the making, according to Vin Diesel as well as David Twoey, or however you spell it. (the writer/director of Pitch Black and Chronicles...)

  • Ice_man_1985

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:26 am PT

    nice.

  • Arronaxxx

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:25 am PT

    Starbreeze has pulled a Lucas Arts again, going for consoles only does not help this studio's rep...

  • Keikogi

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:21 am PT

    finally...thats all I wanted to hear. As long as they are still making it I couldnt care less when it comes out. The original was GOTY material lets hope they can make it even better.

  • Dilan120

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 8:11 am PT

    Good News, I want Dark Athena to be published, I never played the original Riddick

  • Tricky1510

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 7:47 am PT

    made my day...this game was a classic so happy the re-up wasn't scrapped

  • lowkey254

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 7:39 am PT

    I thought this was for KOF lol.

  • PseudoFinrod

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 7:07 am PT

    What a relief! I was afraid that this game had been canceled. I loved the original, but my old Xbox crapped out before I could finish it. I would gladly pay for the privelage of finally finishing an updated version with some extra stuff thrown in (not like the original was a massive investment anyway-found it for 15 bucks). I will preorder it as soon as I can.

  • zephonwing

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 6:56 am PT

    The next thing to wish for is a new Riddick movie...

  • SM2099

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 6:45 am PT

    I really hope someone pics up this game, for those who don't have a 360 or didn't get ot paly it back in the day... aka Sony fanboys, this will be a great addition to their libraries.

  • theWanderer80

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 6:10 am PT

    One of my all time faves with additional content? An absolute must-play!

  • thenewau25

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 5:51 am PT

    butcher bay was sneaking in quake 4 style levels almost no shooting if you want action dont buy this game!

  • dth_dlr

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 5:42 am PT

    i heard good thinks about Butchers Bay, this has potential to be a great game.

  • bschroth

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 4:43 am PT

    I already own Butched Bay, and I'm still annoyed they haven't released an update so I can play my old game on my 360. Jerks.

  • punkpunker

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 4:37 am PT

    woah!! I've herd a lot from people who played it said was great. I didn't have the chance to buy the first game and would be a great 1st play experience. I hope it is released by EOY or Q1 next year

  • SaberStrike

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 4:25 am PT

    Spending all this time on a remake is fail? did you play the original? If it was JUST a remake, I would still pick this up... the graphics in the original were fantastic, I am excited to see how the updated ones look. BUT, they are adding extra levels and multiplayer.

    I am psyched for this one. Was scared they were gonna drop it with the merger, but am happy they kept pushing on. Gonna be sweetness.

  • borginidiablo

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 3:58 am PT

    Wow I forget that they were doing a remake of this game... I hope it turns out worth all this time remaking it.

  • Red_Jester posted Sep 25, 2008 3:14 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Red_Jester

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 3:14 am PT (hide)

    Spending all of this time simply on a remake is fail.

  • rabbitcancer

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 2:02 am PT

    You see?? Prayers DO help!

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 1:40 am PT

    YES!!! this is great news. We will have our riddick back with us soon.

  • cayne_phoenix

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 12:23 am PT

    how many additional levels are there? are there additional revamps to the game?

  • cayne_phoenix

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 12:22 am PT

    how many additional levels are there? are there additional revamps to the game?

  • jbroxikat

    Posted Sep 24, 2008 11:56 pm PT

    Finally!! I bought a used copy of the original Riddick game and I never got to play it. I sold it back in 2007 when I read that they were making a version for the 360. I'm really looking forward to this game. I can't wait to throw my money at it!

  • CureForLiving

    Posted Sep 24, 2008 11:41 pm PT

    Liked Butcher Bay, although Dark Athena sounds little more like a expansion then a full new game. But I guess the 2 for 1 things is enough to make me want this game.

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