EA has announced that its Maxis Studio is hard at work on Darkspore, a new online sci-fi action RPG for the PC that promises to introduce “innovative character customisation, gameplay mechanics and online play to the genre.”

Darkspore will see players battling against the mutated forces of Darkspore across alien worlds to save the galaxy. The game will feature a four player co-operative and full single player campaign as well as intense multiplayer battles.

Players will collect genetic heroes with different combat abilities to form “an arsenal of living weapons,” upgrading them with “tens of thousands of collectible body parts and armour.” The game will feature three unique classes of five different genetic hero types, with players able to upgrade and customise to their hearts content with the parts they collect on each planet level. As you progress in the game it will become more intense, with new planets and enemy forces requiring you to select the correct squad and ability combinations to successfully complete your mission.

“Darkspore is inspired in part by the award-winning creature editor tech of Spore, but also in large part from the team’s own passion for gaming and prior experience,” said Lucy Bradshaw, General Manager of Maxis Studio. “The team has combined these inspirations to produce a unique take on the action RPG genre.”

Darkspore is currently scheduled to be released in February 2011. Get a glimpse of what you can expect from the title in the teaser trailer and debut screenshots below:

Teaser Trailer