NCsoft loads Carbine Studios

Perhaps taking cues from its massively multiplayer online games, NCsoft has announced the second major expansion of its operations in as many weeks. Last week, the Korea-based publisher revealed it would be dramatically ramping up production at its European studio in the UK with the addition of 100 new jobs.

Conducive to working long hours developing its games, NCsoft today formerly unveiled its newest shop, dubbed Carbine Studios, in Orange County, California. The studio was initially founded as a division of NCsoft North America in 2005.

NCsoft wasted no time loading up Carbine with some high-caliber talent. Its vice president will be Kevin Beardslee, a former lead developer on World of Warcraft. City of Heroes executive producer and cofounder of Turbine Inc. Jeremy Gaffney will transition into a similar role at Carbine. And last but not least, Tim Cain--leader designer of the original Fallout and cofounder of Troika Games--will serve as programming director.

Carbine Studios is currently working on an as-yet-unannounced massively multiplayer online game for NCsoft. NCsoft currently has several other projects under its wing, including Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa, which is now set to blast off November 2, as well as Aion and Guild Wars 2. The prolific MMOG publisher also has plans to port over some of its existing franchises, as well as create original properties, for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.