Aside from perhaps Vampire Hunter D (the fancy new remake, not the '85 version), few forms of media have touched on the whole idea of vampires in the Wild West, and even D didn't spend too much time exploring it.



Enter Sammy Studios' Darkwatch: Curse of the West, a first-person shooter that blends the Spaghetti Western with Bram Stoker, creating a wholly unique kind of FPS that's sorely needed amongst the glut of offering in the genre.



Chronicling the tale of Jericho Cross, a demon steed-riding gunslinger bitten by a vampire but not fully turned evil (though that doesn't mean he doesn't have some changes to come to grips with), Darkwatch explores not only Jericho's superhuman abilities as he trudges through the Old West dispatching fanged beasties, but also the Darkwatch society, a group of monster hunters that stretch back through the ages, and that offer Jericho plenty in the way of firepower and transportation.



"Last week's release announcing the game has stirred interest from gamers around the world," Sammy Studios' Senior VP of sales and marketing Tim Pivnicny exclaimed. "While waiting for the game's release later this year, gamers will be able to get a taste of the experience at www.darkwatch.com. Initially with the help of a very hot video they'll get a first glimpse of Jericho Cross and this twisted world and be able to 'Join the Darkwatch' for access to exclusive content."



Once inducted, the web site promises plenty of screen shots, movies, and links to press coverage as it's added to the web for the public and plenty of exclusive developer diaries and game updates. Once the game actually hits shelves, Sammy Studios promises codes and strategies for those looking to unlock some of the goodies hidden in the game.



Darkwatch already has us more than a little piqued, so suffice it to say we'll be on top of any other updates as they're released. Keep checking back until then.