Horror writer and Hellraiser director Clive Barker is returning to videogames to craft a next-gen shooter called Jericho. No wait, Clive Barker's Jericho.

Barker is working on the plot and concept art for the game, which is set in North Africa. Barker described the intriguing concept behind the game to The Hollywood Reporter:

"Somewhere in northern Africa, there is a walled city, which is not just a walled city but walls within walls within walls. It's like Russian dolls, spaces within each other, and trapped inside each space is a slice of time where the warriors of good have gone against ultimate evil and have lost.

"The first battles encountered on the quest are against relatively modern imprisoned soldiers, while further in are World War I infantrymen, Crusaders and other warriors, each drawn from an earlier historical era than the last. Some are evil, some are not, and you have to make up your own mind."

Clive Barker previously worked with EA on the 2001 horror shooter Clive Barker's Undying. He also collaborated with developer Terminal Reality to create Demonik, which was due for release this year until embattled publisher Majesco cancelled the project.

So far no release date for Jericho has been confirmed, but we will follow developments with interest.

July 19, 2006