Will Saw be Konami's second great horror franchise? (Plus, first screenshots)

Pyramid Head, say hello to your new brother Jigsaw.

Konami has confirmed an earlier Cut Scene report that it bought the rights to bankrupt publisher Brash's in-production video game based on "Saw." It will be released this fall on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 to coincide with Lionsgate's "Saw VI." (As you've probably noticed, Konami provided us with the first ever screenshots from the game as well).

Though there's obviously no sequel plans yet, the Japanese publisher is undoubtedly hoping "Saw" will become its second survival horror franchise, alongside "Silent Hill."

"Because we have leadership in the survival horror genre, we're passionate about it and wanted to find another property on par with 'Silent Hill," explained David Daniels, director of marketing for Konami.  "'Saw' has grossed over $600 million worldwide and sold over 28 million DVDs, so we felt like it was a great opportunity to align ourselves with one of the most successful horror film franchises in history."

After Brash went bankrupt last fall, rights to the game reverted back to movie studio Lionsgate, which considered but ultimately rejected the idea of handling publishing itself. Konami then picked up the license and engaged developer Zombie, which was handling production for Brash, to finish "Saw" under its direction.

The game's plot will be original, tying into but not directly adapting any of the films. As "Saw" fans might expect, gameplay will center on torturer Jigsaw's signature traps, turned into puzzles. Players control a character in an asylum who has to decide whether and how to solve the puzzles and save Jigsaw's victims.

"One of the big pillars of 'Saw' is the maniacal, twister serial killer Jigsaw's very unusual traps and you can expect that's something we'll carry forward," explained Daniels. "Some traps will even be a direct translation from the movies, particularly the iconic ones fans love."

Daniels declined to comment on whether actor Tobin Bell will voice his character Jigsaw, but I've confirmed from other sources that he will. No word on whether anyone else from the film is involved, except that the producers at Twisted Pictures have been consulting.

Brash had a lot riding on "Saw." It was going to be the company's first AAA title, its first not based on a kids' movie, and its first sure to earn an M rating. As I was reporting on Brash's demise last fall, employees repeatedly said "Saw" was one of a few games in development they had been counting on, if the cash hadn't run out, to help turn around the company's reputation for low quality.

Konami has the opposite problem. Its signature franchise is one of the two biggest in survival horror, along with Capcom's "Resident Evil" (although whether that still qualifies as horror after the last installment is an open question). It doesn't have much to gain with "Saw," critically speaking, but it has lots to lose if the game doesn't measure up. The last thing Konami needs is to lose its survival horror credibility by putting out a mediocre licensed title.

If it works, however, Konami could end up with a pair of horror franchises that complement each other well: One that screws with gamers' minds and the other their stomachs.

"'Silent Hill' is more about psychological terror, but 'Saw' for us is more about graphic, intense horror that overwhelms you," explained Daniels. "We want players to turn away from the screen for just a moment because of the visual intensity."