Atari announced that its upcoming game Alone in the Dark has gone gold. The

2008 version of Alone in the Dark is the fifth installment in the survival horror series launched by Infogrames over a decade ago. Developed for the PC, Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, Alone in the Dark will hit the streets on June 24th in North America. However, the PlayStation 3 version won't ship until this fall or possibly later.

Two developmental houses actually took on the task of updating the franchise, which originally launched in 1992. Hydravision Entertainment developed the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii versions, pushing the limits of Sony's dated console while utilizing the Wii's unique control scheme. The PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions were created by Eden Studios; the PS3 version will feature exclusive episodic content.

Alone in the Dark takes the franchise in a new direction by incorporating episodic gameplay (Phantasy Star Universe did something quite similar) in the form of selectable "chapters," allowing players to move on in case they get stuck. Inspired by popular TV action dramas, Eden Studios selected to design the game around seasonal story arch that keeps the gamer on their seats and coming back to the next chapter. Lorenzo Carcaterra, known for his best-selling novel Sleepers, wrote the game's script.

According to the developer, each "episode" will last approximately 30-40 minutes, and the game will offer a video summary of the last episode completed. And although the game allows free roaming throughout Central Park, it also brings "real-world rules and physics" to the table, requiring the gamer to apply a disinfectant spray before bandaging wounds, or light fires to illuminate an area rather than use a flashlight.

"With its genre-busting mix of gameplay, wide-screen presentation style and DVD chapter select feature putting the player in control, Alone in the Dark will thrill all gamers," said Phil Harrison, president of Infogrames Entertainment, in a press statement. "It's a game which will challenge the player but also reward them with a one-of-a-kind video game experience and a huge amount of fun."

In Alone in the Dark, paranormal investigator Edward Carnby returns to uncover a supernatural mystery surrounding New York City's Central Park and the dark tunnels beneath it, which is a secret protected by generations of guardians. The entire story arch spans one, long night, and offers "apocalyptic action" that will propel the franchise to new gaming heights.