THQ has today announced Deadly Creatures, a title being exclusively developed for the Nintendo Wii, and described as “an original action thriller” that “throws players into a venomous world of desert terror.” It’s main characters, you ask? An armoured scorpion and a deadly tarantula.

THQ explains that Deadly Creatures (played from a 3rd person perspective) will task players with fighting for survival in an arid desert full of Gila monsters, lizards, black widows and other dangerous creepy crawlies - and of course the most threatening predator of all, humans.

It appears as if a great deal of emphasis is being put on Deadly Creatures’ motion controls, with THQ promising that players will be able to feel “every pounce and tail sting” as they explore the 360 degree environment, performing combo-based, creature-crushing moves.

“Deadly Creatures is an amazingly innovative game concept, and exemplifies THQ’s commitment to creating original new IP for the Nintendo Wii platform,” said Randy Shoemaker, director of global brand management, THQ. “With Deadly Creatures, we are raising the bar for all 3rd party Wii titles, and focusing on deep, compelling gameplay for a largely untapped audience of Wii gamers.”

“Deadly Creatures is a creepy, cinematic thrill ride, where the distinction between predator and prey can shift around every corner,” said Nick Wlodyka, executive producer and general manager, Rainbow Studios. “With brutal motion-controlled combat, a dark, compelling story and some of the best visuals to date on the Wii, we are excited to bring Deadly Creatures to a large core Wii audience that hungers for a new experience.”

In development by Rainbow Studios, Deadly Creatures will be released at an as yet unspecified date in 2008.