Codemasters delves into the paranormal

Codemasters has announced the signing of a new paranormal horror project, created by acclaimed author and film maker Clive Barker and set to appear on PC and next-gen consoles in 2007.

Promising to "up the stakes" in terms of next-gen visuals and phantasmagorical special effects, Clive Barker's Jericho is an action horror title dealing with the mysterious reappearance of a long lost city in the heart of the desert.

An elite team of Special Forces operatives trained in conventional warfare and the arcane arts are sent in to uncover and destroy the evil lurking within the forgotten city, facing untold evil and hideous creatures from the twisted mind of Clive Barker.

"Itâs incredible when a company as admired as Codemasters embraces your vision the way they have embraced Jericho," Barker noted. "This project is very close to my heart and I donât believe there's ever been anything like it."

Barry Jafrato, Codemastersâ Senior VP of brand, added: "Cliveâs astounding skills in creating the darkest of fantastical scenarios that twist our dreams makes him the perfect creator for a rich horror video game."

"The visual and audio capabilities of the next-generation gaming formats will enable this project to be realised as an incredible experience with scenarios and cinematographic effects that will both thrill and terrify."

The game is currently in development at Madrid-based Mercury Steam (American McGee's Scrapland) and is scheduled for a worldwide release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in late 2007.