Cryptic Studios has announced that it is working with Atari and Wizards of the Coast to bring out a new game in the Neverwinter franchise for the PC. Even though Cryptic has earned its reputation as a developer of MMOs like City of Heroes, the new Neverwinter will not be an MMO, but rather a "co-op RPG." The player will be able choose from one of five different classes and will team up with up to four other players or computer controlled allies. Much like earlier Neverwinter games, it will also come with an editor which will enable players to create their own storylines and content.

The game will again be set in the classic city of Neverwinter, though it will be a new version of the city set in the aftermath of many changes and disasters. The last Lord of Neverwinter has died, and the destructive Spellplague killed many of the city's inhabitants. In the wake of these tragedies, several new factions vie for control, even as the dead rise to assault the city.

The return to Neverwinter will not be limited to just the PC game. Best-selling author R. A. Salvatore will be writing a new trilogy of novels that will establish the background for the game. The first novel, Gauntlgrym, will be released this October. In addition, Dungeons and Dragons developer Wizards of the Coast is going to be releasing a new Neverwinter supplement for the Forgotten Realms setting to coincide with the release of Cryptic's new game.

Currently, Neverwinter is slated for a release in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the meantime, you can visit the game's official site at www.PlayNeverwinter.com.