Next-gen THQ Conan confirmed

After several months of waiting, THQ has finally uncovered the oiled muscles of a Conan game for PS3 and Xbox, which is due for release in early 2008.

Conan, in development at Nihilistic Software, will be an action adventure title with a "deep and gratifying" combat system, based on the world created in Robert E. Howard's original stories.

The grunt of next-generation technology is promised to be fully utilised, touting a cinematic experience when smashing through hordes of brutal enemies.

"The strength and diversity of the Conan brand lends itself extremely well to the interactive format," said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of THQ. "Through intense combat, familiar environments and next generation visuals, we believe Conan fans and action adventure enthusiasts alike are certain to embrace this future addition to the Conan universe."

This is the first official comment we've heard on the game since THQ acquired the rights to the brand in late 2005.

It also follows a recent announcement that we could expect a game based on the barbarian (famously portrayed on the big screen by Arnold Schwarzenegger) in the first quarter of next-year.

We'd also better remind you that this game is completely unrelated to the Age of Conan MMORPG that Funcom is developing for PC and Xbox 360.