Fantasy author R. A. Salvatore, artist and creator of Spawn Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls Lead Designer Ken Rolston are creating a game together. That game, officially announced today, is open world RPG Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning, and I'll make a bet right now that it's going to blow everyone away.

Here's Rolston describing how Amalur has been created:

"In Reckoning, we started with Bob [Salvatore] and Todd's exceptional Kingdoms of Amalur game setting and imagery," ... "On that foundation we built the open-world exploration, vast narrative and character customization fans expect from the best RPGs. And we've added something new that we've always wanted from the genre -- a fast-paced, graphically stimulating action combat experience with fluid control and immersive, discoverable gameplay fans haven't seen before in other fantasy RPGs."

Whether you're familiar with Salvatore or McFarlane's work or not, you should know that they're both amazingly talented and creative individuals. Even if they've been creatively limited to the development of Amalur's setting, rather than the narrative or the game's mechanics, you know that it will be a world you'll enjoy visiting.

Personally, I'm hoping that Kingdom of Amalur fills the void I feel since the next Elder Scrolls hasn't been announced. Salvatore and McFarlane are great creatively, but this game is  Rolston's from the ground up. Whether we get an Oblivion clone, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, or a truly original IP that showcases Salvatore and McFarlane's talents will be up to Rolston. I can't wait to hear more.

My two greatest complaints from from Oblivion were the plain setting and the simplistic combat system. Judging from Rolston's quote, I think he's working to improve both of those things. Do we have an instant classic in the making?'

What do you think, Ranters? Are you fans of Salvatore or McFarlane? Do you think their efforts can help create a great open world RPG? Or are you simply excited for a new game from the Elder Scrolls' Lead Designer?

Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2011 for the the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Source: EA