Atari, Super-Ego Vets Form Digital Publisher, Launch Cowboys & Aliens Game

Publishing veterans from companies including Atari, Super-Ego and Stormfront have formed a new digital game publisher called FreePlay Labs, which launched its first game this week based on the Cowboys & Aliens property - most recently used in the Daniel Craig-starring film. According to a statement, FreePlay says it provides in-house production, marketing and distribution "for major license-based interactive properties." It focuses exclusively on digitally distributed content, and says it is developing titles for video game consoles in addition to smartphones and tablets. The president of the new company is Greg Easley, who previously co-founded and headed Super-Ego Games and, before that, Bottle Rocket. Acting as COO is Hudson Piehl, the former VP of worldwide production at Atari and longtime project director at Stormfront Studios. According to the company, its additional staff members have also worked at Disney, EA, Microsoft and Sony on franchises that include Madden NFL and The Lord of the Rings. The company's first title, Cowboys & Aliens: Silver City Defense, is available now on the App Store, and is described as a "dual-stick shooter with strategy elements." FreePlay also says it has formed a partnership with Kogeto to develop applications for its iPhone 4-compatible panoramic video camera.