Robert E. Howard's fantasy creation Conan wears many hats (Barbarian, Destroyer, Adventurer) and sometimes even a crown (King), so it's not entirely surprising that his digital counterpart should appear in many forms. While the Cimmerean already has the massively multiplayer online role-playing genre covered with Funcom's upcoming Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures for the PC and Xbox 360, he's simultaneously looking to conquer action adventures as well.

　　THQ today detailed its plans for the brawny barbarian with a new game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Simply called Conan, the game will be developed by Nihilistic Software, the studio behind Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects and Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption. The publisher is promising "epic brutality" and "visceral combat" in the game, with multiple weapons, fighting styles, and interactive environments.

　　Conan is expected to debut in early 2008. It will be the first game in a multiyear licensing deal with Paradox Entertainment AB, which owns the rights to Conan and other Howard-penned characters.