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It's official -- EA has announced that they're teaming up with Starbreeze Studios to revive the classic Syndicate franchise, with the isometric action strategy of the original titles being replaced with a "fast-paced, futuristic, action shooter".

"We are excited to finally reveal what we’ve been working on the past couple years," says Starbreeze Studios boss Mikael Nermark. "It's been a great experience working with EA, and an amazing opportunity for us to use our expertise in the first person shooter and action genres to bring back, and reignite, the signature action/espionage gameplay of Syndicate."

As with 1994's Syndicate and its 2006 sequel Syndicate Wars, the new Syndicate also plays out against a backdrop of a dark, digital world where everything is connected and controlled by various mega corporations fighting for control.

Set in 2069, Syndicate takes players into a dark, Machiavellian world run without government oversight with many syndicates vying for total dominance of their local market place. With no one to question their intentions or actions, three mega corporations – Eurocorp, Cayman Global, and Aspari – are at the forefront of this brutal war for control of the pivotal American market. In the world of Syndicate, everything is digitally connected, including the people. Players aren’t limited to the weapons in their hands. Through DART 6 bio-chip technology implanted in their head, players can slow down time and breach the digital world around them to take down their foes using a variety of upgradable hacking mechanics. Syndicate’s blend of fast-paced, futuristic, action shooter settings and story combined with innovative chip breach gameplay instantly immerses players in a unique digital world.

"Our goal with Syndicate is to provide a challenging action shooter for today’s gamers as well as fans of the original. I’m sure they will enjoy and recognize the legacy that made it such a classic," says Jeff Gamon, EA Partners Executive Producer. "Fans of the franchise will recognize many weapons and environments in the game, but in a whole new way. The game also provides a separate and deep 4-player co-op mode featuring missions from the original cult classic, which adds another layer of depth to the overall experience."

If Starbreeze can somehow capture the brooding atmosphere and style of Bullfrog's brilliant original titles, Syndicate could be a force to be reckoned with when it arrives early 2012.