Activision vets launch digital studio

Two Activision veterans who worked on the Call of Duty franchise have founded a new digital-only studio in the US.

The Washington-based company, U4iA Games, will be led by ex-Activision head of publishing Dusty Welch and former exec producer Chris Archer.

The new studio will focus on the development of online, free-to-play titles, and revealed its first project will be a freemium, hardcore first-person social game, slated for beta release in 2012.

“U4iA Games is grounded in the insight that core gamers desire robust, social gaming options on social networks and mobile devices,” said U4iA CEO Welch.

“Play-time and dollars are starting to migrate from console to casual and/or mobile gaming and a new segment is emerging – the hardcore social gamer.”

The studio raised $1.5 million in an initial angel round of investment, and is currently in the process of confirming series B funding.