The upcoming Spartacus Legends, a free-to-play fighting game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 based on the successful Starz TV series, has become the second game to be rated R18+ by the Australian Classification Board since the introduction of the new classification guildlines permitting the adult rating (thanks playerattack).

Featuring thousands of ruthless weapon combinations and a robust skill system, Spartacus Legends delivers a variety of tools for gamers to customise their gladiators and dismember their foes. Gamers will be able to fight as Spartacus, Crixus or one of their own created gladiators as they battle with friends offline or in online multiplayer to join the ranks on the worldwide leaderboards.

Liam McIntyre has been very involved with the Spartacus Legends team. In addition to allowing his likeness and voice to be featured, Liam, a big gamer himself, played early builds of the game and provided his creative feedback throughout the development process.

The ACB's ratings chart for the game lists violence as the only high impact factor, with nudity, language and themes found to be of moderate impact.

The blu-ray releases for the Starz TV series have previously received R18+ ratings in the film category by the Australian Classification Board, citing "High impact violence, blood and gore, sex scenes, nudity and coarse language".

Los Angeles studio Kung Fu Factory (Supremacy MMA, UFC Undisputed 2009) are developing the game, which was announced as being due in "early 2013", on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for Xbox 360 and PS3. Watch the latest trailer below.

Ubisoft has announced the development of Spartacus Legends, a new fighting game based on the popular Starz cable network TV series that tells tales of the fabled Roman gladiator, and his friends and foes.

Featuring thousands of ruthless weapon combinations and a robust skill system, Spartacus Legends delivers a variety of tools for gamers to customise their gladiators and dismember their foes. Gamers will be able to fight as Spartacus, Crixus or one of their own created gladiators as they battle with friends offline or in online multiplayer to join the ranks on the worldwide leaderboards.

Liam McIntyre has been very involved with the Spartacus Legends team. In addition to allowing his likeness and voice to be featured, Liam, a big gamer himself, played early builds of the game and provided his creative feedback throughout the development process.

Los Angeles studio Kung Fu Factory (Supremacy MMA, UFC Undisputed 2009) are reportedly behind the title, which is due in Sumnmer 2013 (US Winter) on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Unfortunately there is no trailer to accompany the announcement, but you can take a peek at the first six screenshots

A more complete reveal is expected as the annual San Diego Comic Con event kicks off tomorrow and continues over the weekend.