As we reported a few months back, RISK is on its way to Xbox Live. When we sat down with some EA and Hasbro representatives in July, it was promised that a version of the board game was "on the horizon," and it appears that this is, indeed, the horizon. Sadly, it doesn't look to be the classic game most hoped it would be, and EA is going after a new twist on the gameplay instead, as well as favoring "off-beat humor," which could end up complimenting the world-domination game fairly well, or being an utter disaster.

Called RISK: Factions, the arcade title is being developed by Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers studio Stainless Games, and will have five unique "factions," each sporting some unique abilities. It's said that it will feature objective-based gameplay and several other elements (such as missile silos) that sound like it could make fans of the board game shudder. Whether or not it's shudders of excitement or anger is yet to be known. As expected, cinematics will play depicting the battles as decided by die rolls, and is likely where the "kooky" humor will come into play. While this all sounds good and fun, I can't help but wonder if the classic game will be available in some way, as I'm sure I'm not the only one skeptical of this new, strange version of the game I grew up with. Even if it ends up being wonderful, there's a good change most people would be buying it for the classic game, without all of the bells and whistles of the new generation. If the past few EA/Hasbro games are any indication, a traditional version will likely be available, but it hasn't been mentioned yet.

The press release is below, and it goes a little further into the details of the (possibly) exciting new game. It's due out early this year, so hopefully we'll find out more information soon, and see if the "kooky humor" turns out as good as it can be.

EA Sets Stage for World Domination With RISK: Factions Globally Popular, Strategic Game of Conquest in Development for Xbox LIVE Arcade

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan 11, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that it is bringing Hasbro's (NYSE:HAS) globally popular strategy game, RISK, to Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade (XBLA) in early 2010. Featuring outlandish factions, a unique art style, new gameplay twists and off-beat humor, RISK: Factions promises to challenge and captivate both new and seasoned RISK fans on their quest for world domination.

"For the past half-century, millions of RISKfans have been consumed with ruling the world, underscoring the board game's enduring appeal," said Chip Lange, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA's Hasbro Division. "We're now going to bring that masterpiece experience to life and add other amazing layers of XBLA-style gameplay that will take conquests to a new level, including the ability to battle players from around the globe for the first time, truly giving new meaning to the phrase 'world domination'."

Developed by Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers studio Stainless Games and featuring cinematics from veteran animation studio Power House Animation, RISK: Factions will offer innovative ways of experiencing the timeless turn-based board game in both objective-based and world conquest modes. Players will be able to engage as one of five playable factions, each with different strengths, as they wage war on new maps with dynamic terrain in their quest for missile silos in order to strategically dominate the game. Additionally, as rivals go head-to-head during unique, animated combat missions, enemies will be able to trigger "Overkill" moments, based on the roll of the dice, and unlock avatar awards while attempting global supremacy. With a new animated art style, kooky humor and a choice of five oddball factions, RISK: Factions is sure to offer something for veteran RISK strategists and newcomers alike.

"Just as the original RISK board game broke new ground 50 years ago by being the first game to offer non-linear movement, EA is re-inventing this long-time favorite for today's digital consumer," said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. "We expect RISK: Factions to be well received on XBLA among the strategy and simulation community."

[Source]