Austrian publisher THQ Nordic has opened a new studio in Bratislava, Slovakia called Nine Rock Games. The aim of the studio is to develop "shooter/survival" games.

Nine Rock Games is headed by CEO David Durcak, who has experience in the shooter/survival genre having previously worked on DayZ. "We are very much looking forward to setting up shop in our office, gradually optimizing our team size, and getting to work on our project," Durcak said in a press release. "With THQ Nordic as a partner, our roster of talent found perfect conditions to collaborate on our first joint project."

Klemens Kreuzer, CEO of THQ Nordic, said: "We welcome the newest addition to the THQ Nordic network of studios: Nine Rocks Games. I personally think it is always a great sign in business when everything just seems to fall into place. The right people at the right time having the right mindset and a meaningful conversation. We are very happy to welcome the Slovak team on board and are excited about our first project with Nine Rocks Games."

THQ Nordic's stable of wholly-owned developers now stands at 12 following the founding of Nine Rock Games. Other studios under the THQ Nordic banner include Black Forest Games, which is currently working on a remake of Destroy All Humans!; Wreckfest developer Bugbear Entertainment; Gunfire Games, which recently released Remnant: From the Ashes; and Darksiders Genesis developer Airship Syndicate.