Mythic Announces Dungeon Keeper…for Mobile

Mythic announced their next game at Gamescom this week: a re-imagining of Bullfrog’s classic Dungeon Keeper, this time for mobile devices. And yes, Android gamers, contra Ultima Forever, you get called out here by name:

Welcome Back, Keeper! EA Announces Dungeon Keeper For Mobile Devices

Twisted New Take on Cult Classic Strategy Game Coming To iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android Devices This Winter

Horny’s Back and better than ever in Dungeon Keeper on mobile! Today, EA and Mythic studio announced a mobile reboot of the 1990s hit with the unveiling of Dungeon Keeper on site at EA’s Gamescom Business Lounge. Coming to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices this winter, Dungeon Keeper provides an addictive mix of strategic building and tower defense; it’s a ground-breaking mobile experience that’s diabolically fun to its core.

As the hands-on overlord of your very own subterranean lair, design a devilish dungeon with expertly laid tunnels and traps, unearth treasures, and collect and command minions in a battle to dominate the ever-expanding underworld. Invade other players’ dungeons and unleash the powers of the Hand of Evil™. Your opponents will tremble in fear at the sight of your army and the force of your spells as you lay waste to their defenses and destroy their dungeons!

Filled with engaging graphics, explosive PvP and PvE gameplay, and wicked wit, Dungeon Keeper proves once again that it’s good to be bad.

There’s already a fairly basic website set up for the game, as well as a Facebook page and Twitter account. A few screenshots of the game in action have also been released…and, frankly, they look pretty great:

Reactions, predictably, have been a bit mixed. Kotaku isn’t sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, but notes that the original Dungeon Keeper’s controls would map handily to a touchscreen context. Reactions in the comments of this Polygon article have been mixed, with some expressing excitement and some calling out the fact that the game will be free-to-play as a sign it will ultimately be a flop.

Of course, this is an Ultima site, not a Dungeon Keeper site, so let’s focus on what’s really important about this news:

It…probably wouldn’t be hard for the Ultima Forever team at Mythic to share some assets with the Dungeon Keeper team.

I have to admit, I’m actually a bit surprised by this news. When I visited Mythic last February, I did see some Dungeon Keeper-related stuff around the studio…but mostly planning material. I’m surprised to see the game is far enough along its development process to merit announcement. As well, I’m looking forward to playing it!