Atari beaming up Riddick in '09

The aftermath of the Activision-Blizzard merger left many games with an uncertain future. The newly formed megapublisher decided not to support a number of games on Sierra Entertainment's roster, including Ghostbusters, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, World in Conflict: Soviet Assault, and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. It remains to be seen how many of these games will become reality. THQ recently bought the rights to 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, but high-profile titles such as Ghostbusters still lack an official publisher despite rumours of rescue.

Today, one more Sierra title has found a home. Atari has announced that it has acquired the global publishing rights to Starbreeze Studios' first-person shooter The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Working in conjunction with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group, Tigon Studios, and the developers, Atari is set to release the game in "spring 2009."

Starbreeze Studios' previous game based on the Riddick IP, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, was well received when it was released for the Xbox and PC in 2004. In addition to its predecessor's storyline, the game will sport a brand-new full-length campaign, as well as online multiplayer elements the critically acclaimed original lacked.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is scheduled for worldwide release on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC in spring 2009. GameSpot will bring you more details on the game as soon as they are available.