New Battleship video game announced, coming Spring 2012

By now, I'm sure you've all heard of the Battleship movie being made.  While that one looks to destroy the beloved childhood classic board game, a newly announced Battleship video game looks to take the classic naval strategy game to "spectacular new heights".

Developed with Double Helix Games, Activision and Hasbro are gearing up for some grand oceanic action this Spring 2012.  As a stand-alone side story from the Universal Pictures' travesty of a movie, Battleship the video game offers a "blend of strategic naval command and first-person action gameplay".

"We're geared up for an outrageous sea and land conflict with the all new Battleship video game," said David Oxford of Activision Publishing.  "Inspired by the film's exciting action and stunning backdrop, the game is next-gen naval warfare that thrusts players into the middle of humanity's last stand against an unfamiliar menace."

According to the press release:

Battleship follows elite demolitions specialist Cole Mathis as he clashes against an aquatic-based extraterrestrial peril in the sand and sea of the beautiful Hawaiian archipelago.  Trapped in a veritable communications dead zone, Mathis must command the U.S. Navy fleet in a "siege on the sea," while simultaneously rallying the troops on land for a terrifying "war on the shore."

Combining naval strategy simulation with first-person shooter gameplay, players fend off the enemy beachside while ordering attacks against their marine counterparts. Seamlessly switching between battlefield and overview "Battle Command" map, the Hasbro game is brought to life as carriers, frigates, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and the legendary USS Missouri Battleship pummel the enemy in a race to strategic points that turn the tide of battle.  The Battleship videogame is a next-gen marvel perfectly suited to turn nostalgic game junkies into battle-hardened admirals.

"With a Battleship video game, we have an amazing opportunity to take our beloved property and give it a modern-day spin," said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Marketing at Hasbro.  "The merging of tactical and action elements immerses players in an epic maritime conflict.  Activision is completely up to the task of delivering a high-intensity thrill ride that's perfectly suited for today's console owners."

The new Battleship video game is for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  It is expected to arrive in Europe in April, while sailing to North America in May, 2012.  The NIntendo Wii, 3DS, and DS will have "uniquely designed" versions of the game developed by Magic Pockets.  More details about those will come at a later date.  For more information about Battleship, check out the game's official website.