Digital-only Red Fact: Battlegrounds announced

Publisher THQ has lifted the lid on a brand new entry in the Red Faction series – and it won’t be heading to retail. Called Red Faction: Battlegrounds, it will be released exclusively on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network.

In March of this year core games vie president Danny Bilson signalled the publisher’s intentions to leverage its strongest IP on digital channels, stating: You’re going to see some of our core brands built out in different kinds of gameplay to get people involved in the brands and drive awareness towards a launch.”

Gamespot reports that this new game is an isometric arena combat title featuring tanks and mechs. It will support local multiplayer for up to four people and will also reward players with unlockables for Red Faction: Armageddon, which is due out in March 2011.