It's not often that a game is developed as a tie-in with a television series, let alone a basic cable one, but that's exactly what Rift's Trion Worlds and Farscape's co-creator Rockne S O'Bannon are planning for April. Defiance is a post-apoclyptic MMO shooter about a race of aliens known as Votanis that crashed to earth and forever altered the world and atmosphere. Players take on the role of an ark hunter, hired to scavenge the derelict ships for advanced technology in hopes to heal the planet, and must team up with fellow hunters in the now-terraformed San Franciso Bay Area to take on sudden events that take dozens of players to defeat known as Arkfalls.

There's also competitive battles dubbed "Shadow Wars", which feature up to 96 players battling for supremacy, as well as smaller co-op instances to take down bosses.

The game both sounds and looks intriguing, as seen in the trailer below, but it's ultimate appeal will rest on how well it ties-in with the weekly TV series. Being able to experience events or possibly help shape the story of the show would be a very intriguing interactive experiment that would elevate the show over basic SyFy fare and the game over the glut of MMO shooters.

While the 360/PS3/PC game will not have a monthly subscription, it will carry a standard $59.99 price as well as feature a surprising amount of retail configurations. Check them all out below:

Defiance Pre-Order ($59) Bonuses Include:

  • Outlander outfit helps you blend in with the locals
  • Iron Demon title lets potential enemies know you are not to be messed with
  • Retailer Exclusive pre-order weapon that gives you a leg up out of the gate
  • 3-Day XP boost helps establish you on the battlefield
  • Beta Invitation – get in the game early!

Defiance Digital Deluxe Edition ($99) Includes:

  • Rare VBI Sentinel Shield helps you never let your guard down
  • In-game title: Badlands Drifter
  • Ark Infiltrator outfit – look good while crackin’ skulls
  • Hydra heavy weapon helps you bring the boom early
  • +5 Increased inventory space – don’t leave home without it
  • 30-Day scrip boost – more everything!
  • 30-Day XP boost – level up faster!
  • Lock Box – sweet random rewards!

Defiance Collector’s Edition ($99) includes the Digital Deluxe items and adds the following:

  • Unique Defiance Collectors Box
  • CD soundtrack – from legendary composer Bear McCreary
  • Exclusive Art of Defiance book – unique stills and never-before-seen renders
  • Exclusive Hellbug statue
  • An official Von Bach Industries contract
  • Defiance Post Cards and stickers
  • Bonus “Making of Defiance” DVD
  • 7-Day scrip boost
  • 7-Day XP boost

Defiance Ultimate Edition ($149, GameStop Exclusive) adds the following to the Collector’s Edition:

  • Exclusive Defiance Messenger Bag
  • Exclusive in-game title: Pale Wars Ronin
  • One Year Season Pass (All DLC)
  • 1200 Bits

Source: PlayStation Blog