Codemasters establishes new online gaming division

UK publisher and developer Codemasters has announced the formation of Codemasters Online Gaming, a new division that will focus on casual gaming as well as massively multiplayer titles.

David Solari, formerly PC brand manager at Codemasters, has been appointed director of the division. Phil White will lead the MMOG operation, while Nick Pili is head of Internet gaming. Ed Relf and Adam Hance will manage marketing.

COG's first initiative will be to establish an online casual games portal aimed at the mass-market. A series of publishing and operation deals for "major MMO gaming products" will be announced shortly.

"The Online Group has been assigned a significant investment to drive our plans in this major growth area of the business," said Solari.

"Codemasters has a very serious interest in online gaming and one that covers a broad scope, with titles and initiatives that will target the core and casual online gamer."