Last week's release via Steam of Serious Sam HD The First Encounter was apparently a big enough success that developer Croteam and its publisher Devolver Digital have announced plans to do it all over again. Yep, that means it's time to announce Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter, a graphical remake (using Serious Engine 3) of the second game in the wild first person shooter series. The game is due for release in early 2010.

Unlike the remake of The First Encounter which basically had no new content aside from its updated graphics, Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter will add an all new co-op tournament mode that will allow teams to compete against one another. Hopefully we will have more info on how this new mode works very soon.

In addition, fan site Seriously! has word from Croteam that dedicated server support and deathmatch mode support are coming to Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter in the near future. Some all new deathmatch levels might be in the works as well although at the moment there's no word on which game will benefit from the new content.

[Via email press release]