Ultimate Spider-Man swings onto Web

Arachnophiles may have noticed that a new Web site for Ultimate Spider-Man has slung its way onto the Internet. The site offers an overview of the game, the E3 trailer, and behind-the-scenes information on the game, which will appear on the PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and DS. Two Activision subsidiaries, Treyarch and Vicarious Visions, developed all versions of the game.

This newest Spider-Man game is based on the five-year-old Ultimate Spider-Man comic book storyline, in which Peter Parker is a modern-day teen. To update the classic Peter Parker story, the hero is (appropriately) a Web designer for the Daily Bugle. The game adaptation will take place at the beginning of the reinterpreted comic's storyline, rather than within the current series (which sees perennial love interest Mary Jane become Mrs. Peter Parker).

While swinging around New York City in Spidey's tights has become old hat for most gamers, the playable character of fan-fave villain Venom should mix things up a bit, thanks to his stronger physique and constant hunger for flesh.

Unlike previous Spider-Man games from Activision, Ultimate Spider-Man will use cel-shading to emulate the look and feel of the comic book on which it's based.

Although Activision has not revealed an official release date for Ultimate Spider-Man, EBGames.com lists the game as shipping September 1. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's E3 coverage.