Sony Online Entertainment announced today the formation of their newest development firm, SOE-Seattle. Based in the Pacific Northwest, SOE-Seattle is made up with most of the members of FireAnt, former Microsoft employees who left to create Massively Multiplayer software. Included in the lineup are Matt Wilson, who will serve as Executive Producer of the group, and Ed Fries, former Microsoft Game Studios head honcho, who will serve in an advisory position.

The staff of SOE-Seattle has worked on a great many titles, such as Dungeon Siege, Ultima Online, Asheron's Call, and Wing Commander. Russell Shanks, COO of Sony Online Entertainment, had some words to say about his new development firm. "As our business grows, so does the need for more diverse titles," said Shanks, "With the core team's expertise in the video game industry and their passion for making games, we are confident that this new studio will allow us to maintain and expand SOE's position as one of the world-wide leaders in online gaming."

SOE-Seattle's first title has not yet been announced and will likely not hit until 2007 or later.

• Sony Online Official Website