Activision buy the rights to the infamous shooter

Activision have purchased the rights to make Return to Castle Wolfenstein, the sequel to the game that started the first-person shooter genre. Though it won't be developed by id, you can expect the same twisted theme, care of Gray Matter Interactive Studios, a new developer formed by designers from Xatrix. Remember Kingpin? Exactly.

In a press statement issued today, Activision assured fans that the game would keep the "storyline filled with frightening tales of bio-engineering and the occult". Those of you worried about a pentagram-less fragging experience can rest easy, because it looks as if Return to Castle Wolfenstein will push all the same buttons as the original, only this time the buttons are bigger, glossier and light up when you press them. With the Kingpin boys behind the design, you also won't have to wonder about mature content - if you thought the hero William J. Blaskowicz was a brutal brute before, we're making a safe guess that he'll be 10 times worse in the upcoming version. The game will use the Quake III engine and will give you the first chance to try out Wolfenstein online with full multiplayer support.

In related news, Activision have also made a 40 per cent equity investment in Gray Matter Interactive Studios, with an option to purchase the remaining 60 per cent at a later date. Like all modern game companies, it's about swallowing up the fastest and brightest fish, and with the recent acquisition of Neversoft Entertainment, it looks like Activision are trying to build themselves some first class clientele.

Courtesy of IGN.com