Wargaming acquires strategy game franchises from Atari to give both "new lease of life"; company also opens office in Austin, Texas.

Wargaming, the Russian publisher/developer behind World of Tanks, announced today that it had acquired the rights to strategy game franchises Total Annihilation and Master of Orion.

Both franchises were purchased as part of the Atari IP auction that came to a close last month.

"Total Annihilation and Master of Orion are strategy game classics," Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi said in a statement. "Although it's too soon to disclose any details, we are more than willing to give a new lease of life to these games most of us grew up playing. It's exactly where our major focus will be."

The company also recently acquired Gas Powered Games, led by Chris Taylor, one of the original designers on the first Total Annihilation.

Wargaming also announced today that it had opened a new office in Austin, Texas. The studio will be home to Wargaming's producing center, central technology, and global business intelligence groups. Overall, the office was established to "streamline communication between its teams and global studios."

Wargaming's latest project is World of Tanks for the Xbox 360. The free-to-play game is currently in beta with a full release expected later this summer.

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