p>Independent game developer Introversion Software announced today that it is currently developing a multiplayer version of its award-winning Darwinia title. The new multiplayer version, dubbed Multiwinia, is scheduled for a 2008 release as a stand-alone title. According to Introversion, the game will be considerably different than the original Darwinia, which won three awards at the Independent Games Festival last March, including the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. Multiwinia will feature both co-operative and competitive battles as well as new challenges and levels.

"We've always known that Darwinia would naturally evolve into an incredible multiplayer game and right from day one I'd had visions of massive Darwinian armies converging for the ultimate Darwinian death-fest," Chris Delay, co- founder and creative director of Introversion Software, in a press statement. "Multiwinia will be a great game, not only for those who knew and loved Darwinia, but also for complete newcomers."

Introversion also said that developer John Knottenbelt has taken on the role of lead designer of Multiwinia to allow Delay to begin work on other new projects. Last fall, Introversion released DEFCON, the anticipated follow-up to Darwinia. DEFCON, a nuclear war simulation inspired by the movie "WarGames," has since garnered critical acclaim and a strong following. For more on Introversion and DEFCON, click here.