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THQ Signs Innovative Leisure

Turmoil over at Agoura Hills-based videogame developer THQ apparently isn't stopping the company from inking new deals. THQ said Friday that it has linked in a strategic agreement with Innovative Leisure, a new digital development studio. THQ said that Innovative Studio was founded by Seamus Blackley, technical director of the original Xbox, and includes a number of designers best known for their roles at Atari. Those designers include Van Burnham (Supercade), Ed Logg (Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet), Rich Adam (Missile Command, Gravitar, PGA Tour Golf), Tim Skelly (Rip Off, Star Castle, Reactor), Owen Rubin (Major Havoc, Space Duel), and Ed Rotberg (Battlezone, S.T.U.N. Runner, Steel Talons). The new studio will focus on mobile, social and downloadable games. Financial details of the distribution deal were not disclosed. THQ has been in some turmoil over the last two weeks, as it revealed that it was cutting its efforts in kids' titles, and is laying off 240 employees.