Nintendo-published Devil's Third is coming to PC
As a "free-to-start" game.
Nintendo and Valhalla Game Studios' disappointing-looking Devil's Third will also be released on PC.
Devil's Third Online, as the PC edition is called, includes only the game's multiplayer mode. It will be "free-to-start" - aka free-to-play.
Nintendo is still publishing the hack-and-slash shooter on Wii U. That version is due to arrive in Japan on 4th August, then here in Europe on 28th August.
The PC version launches soon after in each region, and is designed to help boost the game's player base.
"By prior agreement with Nintendo, Valhalla has developed the free-to-play PC exclusive online game Devil's Third Online," Valhalla explained.
"To spread Devil's Third around the world, this game service will run from September 2015 onwards, in various regions around the world following the release of the Wii U version in each region.
"In consideration of cultural characteristics in each region, the content is being optimised via co-development with local publishers. Service territories and the details of game content will be announced accordingly.
"For your information, Devil's Third Online is the online-exclusive game playable on PC and its service is specialised in matchup. Wii U exclusive Story Mode is not included in it."
Devil's Third is the work of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden creator Tomonobu Itagaki, who founded Valhalla studio. But it has had a rough ride to release.
The game was originally due to be published by the now-defunct THQ. The rights to Devil's Third were returned to Valhalla after THQ went bust and the game's future was in doubt - until Nintendo stepped in.
Whether this will all pay off is another matter. Our early playthrough of the game did not leave Martin with a good impression.
"Going from those first few hours, then, Devil's Third is undoubtedly a bad game," he wrote. "It pushes beyond that, even, to be a truly atrocious one, one that now teeters on the edge of becoming a glorious car crash you can't help but stop and stare at. But can it be so bad it's good?"
