Game expected to lead to a motion picture - script already in development.

Wheelman screenshot

Midway Games has announced a planned global ship date of February 16, 2009, for Wheelman, an open-world driving game starring action-film megastar Vin Diesel. The game is scheduled to hit UK stores for PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 20, 2009.

Developed by Midway Studios Newcastle, the game has been co-produced by Vin Diesel and created in close partnership with Diesel's video game production Tigon Studios. In Wheelman players have the ability to sideswipe pursuing enemies with a flick of an analogue stick, bringing a new style of vehicle melee combat to the action genre.

"We're designing Wheelman to play like a Hollywood blockbuster," said Vin Diesel. "Playing this game will be just like taking control of the greatest car chases from feature films, except this time you're in the driver's seat."

"Featuring Vin Diesel and set in Barcelona, Wheelman is a title with enormous sales potential," said Martin Spiess, executive vice president, international of Midway Games Ltd. "We're making a multi-million dollar marketing investment to make sure that gamers around the world are ready when Wheelman goes on sale worldwide, which we have planned for February 2009."

The Wheelman property is expected to eventually lead to a feature film, with a script already in development.