THQ signs People Can Fly's next-gen title for 2007 release

THQ has added the next game by Polish developer People Can Fly to its 2007 release schedule, announcing a deal to bring PCF's forthcoming title to next-generation platforms globally next autumn.

PCF's best known game is the PC first-person shooter Painkiller, published by DreamCatcher in 2004, which divided critical opinion but went on to win headlines as a regular component of professional PC gaming tournaments.

However the game THQ has signed up will be an original property, rather than a follow-up to Painkiller itself. Both companies are nonetheless confident of its success.

"THQ's strategy is to work with world-class developers to bring highly innovative, original IP to market," said Dan Kelly, Senior Vice President, Business Development. "It was immediately obvious to us that the team at People Can Fly has great talent and an exciting, innovative idea that supports this strategy."

PCF President Adrian Chmielarz paid tribute to THQ's "open, communicative approach to the evaluation, analysis and ultimate signing of this deal".

Based in Warsaw, Poland, the 50-strong development team joins THQ's network of studios - made up of 12 internal teams and "more than 25" independent developers.

THQ will doubtless be hoping for more a bit more luck with its new Polish friends than it's had with counterparts GSC Game World in neighbouring Ukraine - where fellow PC FPS project S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl remains in development with the possibility of a 2007 release, four years after THQ originally signed it.