Become a survivor as The Walking Dead gets the FPS treatment

Activision have announced a new take on long-running graphic novel series and AMC TV show The Walking Dead – not to be confused with Telltale Games' more esoteric take on the same material.

With development in the hands of studio Terminal Reality (Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Star Wars Kinect) the game is described as a ‘do-whatever-you-need-to-survive first-person action game’ which sees players assume the role of crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, as he and his brother Merle make their way to the supposed safety of Atlanta.

‘The work AMC has done with the TV series has been amazing and we’re ecstatic at the opportunity to be brought into the fold,’ said Drew Haworth, Creative Director at Terminal Reality. ‘The studio is made up of fans of the show, and we think other fans will see that the situations and walkers featured in our game are every bit as gruesome and shocking as they are in the TV series – they look, move and react as expected with full authenticity – and they will surprise you. The player’s fight-or-flight survival instinct is constantly engaged. “Flight” is usually a good bet.’

The franchise’s “walkers” will apparently ‘hunt down players relentlessly’ using a combination of sight, sound and smell. Once discovered, it doesn’t take much to attract an unstoppable horde of the undead, the decision being left to the player to face up to the threat, turn tail and run or attempt to hide until the zombies shuffle on past.

The need for resource management will also be necessary with supplies ‘scarce and scattered,’ so leaving players carefully considering their food, medical equipment, ammunition, etc.

Throughout his journey Daryl will encounter a slew of other characters that can help or hurt him; whether they accompany him left up to the player as Terminal Reality attempts to inject choice and decision making into the fight for survival.

The Walking Dead is scheduled for release in 2013 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.