MX vs. ATV returns from the dead in 2014 on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC

The MX vs. ATV franchise is making a comeback. Nordic Games, which purchased the franchise as part of a THQ bankruptcy auction this year, announced today that a new entry in the series called MX vs. ATV Supercross will debut in the first half of 2014 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, and Linux.

The game will be available as a download, not a boxed product.

The publisher said it assembled a team of former MX vs. ATV staffers, presumably from THQ Digital Phoenix, to work on the game, including executive producer Ken George, as well as other "high-profile developers."

MX vs. ATV Supercross promises to take the series to "greater heights" while retaining the franchise's core formula. As its name suggests, the game will focus on Supercross action sport, and features some kind of multiplayer mode.

The game will also make use of the same code found in MX vs. ATV Alive and MX vs. ATV Reflex, the most recent entries in the series. Other features for MX vs. ATV Supercross will be announced at a later date.

"A lot of the original team members have been aching to continue their passion: building the most authentic off-road racing games possible," George said. "The hiatus is over, and the team is back to work on MX vs. ATV with great new things to come."

Nordic Games business and product development director Reinhard Pollice also teased that MX vs. ATV Supercross is "just the start" of the company's plans for the franchise, suggesting future projects may also be in development.

The publisher also purchased the rights to former THQ properties like Red Faction, Darksiders, Destroy all Humans!, Summoner, and Supreme Commander during the auction for $4.9 million. Future plans for those franchises have yet to be unannounced.

For more on the most recent entry in the series, check out GameSpot's review of MX vs. ATV Alive.