'Brink' videogame release edges closer

"Production wrapped on Brink earlier than we planned and we didn't see any reason to keep gamers from getting their hands on this highly anticipated game as soon as it was ready," said Bethesda marketing vice president Pete Hines.

"It's apparent from the tremendous reaction so far that people are eager to jump online and play, and if we can make that happen earlier -- we're going to."

Bethesda, the US publisher behind a blockbuster "Fallout" franchise that combines upbeat 1950s pop culture with the aftermath of nuclear war, had Splash Damage studio craft the "Brink" first-person shooter videogame.

US consumer electronics chain Best Buy was enticing players to pre-order "Brink" by promising to add software that will let them customize a character in the "Fallout" theme.

"Brink" takes place "in the near future" in an enormous floating city crammed with ten times more people than it was designed to support.

Battles play out between the Ark's governing powers and rebels out to seize control along with precious resources such as food and water.

"Brink" videogames for play on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 consoles will be priced at $60, while a version tailored to personal computers powered by Windows software will cost 10 dollars less.

"Brink" will be released in Europe three days after its North America debut on May 10.

(c) 2011 AFP