EA moves into The Secret World

Following its delay by "some months" in September, The Secret World has largely been a self-describing title. However, that may soon change for Funcom's latest massively multiplayer online role-playing game, as the Norwegian studio announced today that it has teamed with EA Partners to copublish The Secret World.

Announced for the Xbox 360 and PC in 2007, The Secret World posits an alternate universe in which a modern-day world has been torn asunder by the reemergence of magic and other occult activity. Players will join one of three occult factions and battle one another for control of strategic locations throughout the world, ranging from Egypt to New York to Seoul. The game will also come replete with mythical beasts and slavering monsters.

The Secret World is just the latest in a string of third-party titles that EA has helped bring to market through its publishing and distribution resources. Other titles include such notable hits as Valve's Orange Box, indie efforts like Hothead Games' Deathspank, and failed ventures such as Realtime Worlds' APB.

Funcom has yet to attach a release date to the game, though its delay came after Funcom moved a significant portion of its Norwegian headquarters to a new Montreal location as a cost-cutting measure. The studio's previous MMORPGs include Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and Anarchy Online.

Gamers wanting to secure their spot in The Secret World's open beta-testing phase can do so by picking up a three-month subscription to Age of Conan. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of The Secret World.