ZEN Studios, a videogame developer and digital publisher known for its innovative arcade and action games, announced today that it has secured licensing rights for the Punisher from Marvel Entertainment. The studio is currently developing The Punisher: No Mercy, the first ever arena-based first-person shooter created exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®Network.

Powered by Unreal Engine 3, No Mercy was designed with fast-paced online multiplayer FPS action in mind. With inspiration rooted in the Punisher’s rich comic book history, the game allows players to choose from an eclectic mix of Punisher allies and villains. Battle arenas span from shipyards rife with contraband to the “birthplace” of the Punisher’s archenemy, Jigsaw, and up to eight players can blast away at each other in a variety of solo and team-based missions.

“The ZEN developers are huge Marvel fans, and the Punisher is certainly one of our favorite characters,” said Zsolt Kigyossy, CEO of ZEN Studios. “With No Mercy, we’re creating gameplay unlike anything else found on PSN. This includes unique features like character-specific taunts, many of which were pulled directly from the comics.”

In addition to exceptional online play, No Mercy also offers a single-player Story mode featuring exclusive artwork from acclaimed Marvel artist Mike Deodato. Fans won’t want to miss the Punisher’s Marvel team-up with Silver Sable against such foes as Jigsaw, Barracuda and Bushwacker.