Evil Dead adventure game announced

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   If ever there was a movie license that developers should take care to do well for fear of an angry cult, it's the Evil Dead trilogy. THQ has recently announced their ambitious attempt to turn the offbeat horror film into a series of games, the first of which will be for the Playstation. Titled Evil Dead: Ashes 2 Ashes, the developing chores will be handled by Heavy Iron Studios, the home of several ex-Parasite Eve staffers.

   As expected from a team with such a pedigree, the game will be a Resident Evil-styled adventure title, with that series' 3D characters on 2D backgrounds. Unlike the Resident Evil games, however, load times have been nearly eliminated, a feature the team is proud of. Other innovations in the genre come in the game's animated backgrounds in full 24-bit color and non-linear design. And as icing on the cake, the game will feature voiceovers and acting from Bruce Campbell himself, reprising his role as the jut-jawed hero Ash.

   Big plans are underway for the license. In addition to the PSX game, due out Fall 2000, there are plans for more games in the series on the Playstation 2. "We anxiously await the arrival of Sony's Playstation 2," said Brian Farrell, president of THQ. "We have development kits right now and will be ready with games at the launch of Playstation 2." Whether THQ's launch titles for the PS2 will include an Evil Dead game remains to be seen, but it's nice to know in advance that Grueling Horror is a lock to appear on the Emotion Engine.