You remember that scene from Seinfeld...Kramer and Newman are embroiled in such a heated game of RISK that, when Kramer realizes his car is being towed and rushes out the door, he hurries back in, grabs the board and takes it with him, afraid that Newman will cheat him out of his chance at world domination. Even real-life players have fallen under the game's spell. Dave Shapiro, a blogger for www.thegamesjournal.com, admits to pulling all-nighters in college - not for the purpose of studying but strictly to play this game. With such fanaticism abounding for this board game, RISK players must be over the moon at EA's recent announcement that it is bringing this game to Xbox LIVE Arcade in early 2010.

Chip Lange, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA's Hasbro Division was effusive in his announcement, saying, "For the past half-century, millions of RISK fans have been consumed with ruling the world, underscoring the board game's enduring appeal...We're now going to bring that masterpiece experience to life and add other amazing layers of XBLA-style gameplay that will take conquests to a new level, including the ability to battle players from around the globe for the first time, truly giving new meaning to the phrase 'world domination.'"

What's behind such devotion? Let's take a look.

Internet theorists have suggested that archeologists found elements of RISK dating back to Alexander the Great's era. Others propose that Joseph and his brothers introduced elements of the game in Egypt, with the six player colors coming from the colors of Joseph's coat. In reality, the game was invented in 1957 by Albert Lamorisse, a French director who might be best known for his short film, "The Red Balloon." He coined his game La Conquete du Monde, which is loosely translated into English as Conquest of the World. Two years later, Parker Brothers picked up the game and published it in America, renaming it RISK.

When it debuted, RISK was unlike any board game Americans had seen or played before. It was the first-ever game to offer nonlinear movement and while the game itself is easy to play, winning the game is exactly the opposite, necessitating complex strategies and maneuvers.

RISK, for two to six players, is played on a stylized map of the world that is divided into 42 territories. Players take their armies and attack adjacent territories, adding them to their empire. When the last territory of an empire is defeated, that player is forced out. Cards are won and sets are formed, giving players additional units. A winner is declared when there is only one player left and every piece on the board is the same color.

Over the past 53 years, the game has spawned many official iterations (including versions based on Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Narnia and outer space) and unofficial imitations (Empires of the Ancient World, Shogun, Amoeba Wars, to name a few). But, the original RISK remains a stalwart favorite board game, having sold millions of copies and editions with no end in sight.

So, video game fans, get ready to rejoice! In EA's announcement, Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro said, "Just as the original RISK board game broke new ground 50 years ago by being the first game to offer non-linear movement, EA is re-inventing this long-time favorite for today's digital consumer." Their plans for the game, which they are calling RISK: FACTIONS, certainly sound exciting.

The game is being developed by Stainless Games, the same studio that developed Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers, and it features cinematics from veteran animation studio Power House Animation. According to EA, RISK: FACTIONS will offer "innovative ways of experiencing the timeless turn-based board game in both objective-based and world conquest modes." Players will have the ability to engage as one of five playable factions, each with different strengths. Players will then be able to wage war on new maps with dynamic terrain as they search for missile silos in their quest to dominate the world. In head-to-head combat, enemies can trigger "Overkill" moments and unlock avatar awards.

With its outlandish factions, unique art style, new gameplay twists and offbeat humor, EA promises that its iteration of the popular board game will "challenge and captivate both new and seasoned RISK fans."

Get ready, RISK lovers...world domination is now more fun than ever!