Riddick, the super villain of the future is set to mark its return in the gaming world next year when Atari will publish The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, the follow up for the successful Escape from Butcher Bay. Developed by Starbreeze and Tigon Studios, the new shooter will go completely next gen when it will be released for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC systems in spring 2009.

Although it was originally announced as a remake, Assault on Dark Athena will actually bring a full length, brand new campaign along with the original, re-imagined one and support for multiplayer.

“It’s very exciting to have Assault on Dark Athena as part of Atari’s 2009 publishing line-up,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames, the parent company of Atari. “The first game in the series was a landmark in action gaming and the outstanding team at Starbreeze are creating a feature-packed follow-up which will delight fans and new players alike.”

In The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena players will have to overcome the crew of mercenary ship Dark Athena, while cheating death, taking part in spectacular battles and being a witness of all the horror that happens on the ship. For fans of the original game or the Pitch Black series, Assault on Dark Athena might be what they’ve been waiting for!