So, apparently when Cryptic Studios and Atari aren’t working on the behemoths that are Star Trek Online, City of Heroes/Villains and Champions Online, they’ve been working on this – Neverwinter, due out next year.

This is the first game based on Fourth Edition D&D rules. You choose from one of five D&D character classes, and play either online with friends or alone with computer-controlled comrades. Using the Forge tool system, you’ll be able to create your own adventure, too.

The beloved city of Neverwinter has a very unclear future ahead. The Spellplague took down a lot of the city’s population, factions are battling and even the dead are marching on the city. R.A. Salvatore will have a trilogy (the first volume is scheduled for release in October) that lays the groundwork for Neverwinter. It will feature several creatures from the game as well as tell Neverwinter’s backstory.

To learn more, visit the game’s website.