This is what happens when you write an article lamenting the lack of drawing-based games on the Nintendo DS.

Games publisher THQ comes calling and asks if you’d like to announce the next major drawing-based DS game — “SpongeBob SquarePants: Drawn To Life.”

The MTV Multiplayer blog can exclusively announce that the next “Drawn To Life,” the follow-up to last year’s acclaimed game from 5th Cell, will be coming to the DS this fall.

The “SpongeBob” spin-off is being developed by a studio called Altron, developers of many games I’ve never played — so, sorry, I can’t say if they can match 5th Cell’s level of quality.

What I can say is that the game allows players to create their own character (as did the first “DTL”), lets you draw and erase enemies, illustrate checkpoints and furnish a Bikini Bottom home. The game’s villain is DoodleBob, who I’m told is part of SpongeBob canon and who seems perfect for a drawing-based game.

Read on for more details.

The new game has a two-player competitive mode, though I don’t know if that involves drawing. It also has a sketching mode that teaches players how to draw major characters from the SpongeBob series.

I will be playing this game tomorrow. I have also sent some questions in to THQ about what this means for the “Drawn To Life” series.

The official publisher fact sheet follows. And, hey, let me know if there’s anything else you want me to grouse about. Because apparently when I complain, things happen.

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From the THQ ‘SpongeBob SquarePants: Drawn To Life” fact sheet:

PLAY AND INTERACT WITH THE SPONGEBOB UNIVERSE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

GAME DESCRIPTION
SpongeBob and Patrick stumble upon a magical pencil that brings whatever it draws to life. Unfortunately, the evil SpongeBob drawing ‘DoodleBob’ gets a magic pencil of his own which he uses to cause havoc all over Bikini Bottom. Players will draw their own unique hero that has the power to defeat DoodleBob’s rogue drawings and rescue SpongeBob and his friends.

GAME FEATURES
• Create your own character and populate the world with your creativity.
• Draw, customize and furnish your own Bikini Bottom home.
• Play against your friends in an exciting two-player VS. mode.
• Battle, erase and redraw enemies as you work your way through the game.
• Over 20 levels, each with their own specific objectives.