Maxis, an Electronic Arts studio, has announced Darkspore, an online, science-fiction action role-playing game, currently set to launch in February 2011 launch.

“Darkspore is inspired in part by the award-winning creature editor tech of Spore, but also in large part from the team’s own passion for gaming and prior experience,” said Lucy Bradshaw, General Manager of Maxis Studio. "The team has combined these inspirations to produce a unique take on the action RPG genre.”

Darkspore will feature fast-paced action as you battle across alien worlds to save the galaxy from the mutated forces of Darkspore in a four-player co-operative and full single-player campaign, as well as multiplayer battles. In order to defeat the malicious Darkspore, you'll need to collect an arsenal of living weapons - genetic heroes with different combat abilities - and upgrade them with tens of thousands of collectible body parts and armor.

Darkspore will feature three unique classes of five different genetic hero types, with a limitless number of upgrades and customisations available through the parts players collect on each planet level. As you progress, the game will build iin intensity, with new planets and enemy forces requiring players to strategically select the right squad and ability combinations to succeed in their missions.

You can keep up-to-date on the latest Darkspore developments at www.darkspore.com.