The Warriors: first details

It's been more than 25 years since The Warriors - Walter Hill's gritty gangland tale of honour, betrayal, and big hair - first hit cinema screens. And almost as long, or at least it feels that way, since Rockstar first announced its videogame version of the movie.

Sadly, not a single detail of the game has been revealed since then - until now. According to CVG, The Warriors is currently in development for PS2 and Xbox at Rockstar's Toronto studio, and is shaping up very nicely indeed.

Comparisons with GTA are inevitable, especially since, yes, it is a third-person, free-roaming, gangster-tripping action adventure. You play one of The Warriors trying to survive on the tough New York City streets, facing off with rival gangs, fighting for territory and arguing over who's got the nicest leather vest.

But the game is also said to have a darker edge, bearing more resemblance to Manhunt in terms of style and tone. However, that doesn't mean it's guns a-go-go - the focus is on hand-to-hand combat, with all sorts of fighting styles, special moves and combos available. Think Streets of Rage and Double Dragon, apparently.

As you might expect there'll be an ice cold soundtrack from the likes of popular contemporary beat combo Queens of the Stone Age, who've already said they're doing some tunes for Rockstar's Spec Ops.

There's a possibility the game could be some kind of movie tie-in, since rumours from Hollywood say a remake of the original Warriors film is planned. Tony Scott - arguably the best filmmaker in history (Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II) - is down to direct, and the script is being done by Sopranos writer Terence Winter. The film will be set in the present day and, like the game, is rumoured to favour martial arts and streetfighting scenes over gun battles.

Rockstar declined to comment, but promised us it will be revealing more details of The Warriors "round about E3 time". We'll bring you more news round about then.