NetEase Games has announced the establishment of Jackalope Games, a new studio based in Austin, Texas, and its first studio headquartered in the United States. It will create “new and exciting PC and console games as a first-party studio of NetEase Games.”

Jackalope Games is led by industry veteran Jack Emmert, whose previous works include City of Heroes, Neverwinter, Star Trek Online, and DC UNiverse Online.

“NetEase Games is the best possible place for me and my team to thrive,” said Emmert in a press release. “We share the same passion— to create engaging online universes for gamers worldwide. NetEase Games is providing the support and resources needed to build a great studio and great games.”

While Jackalope Games is a first-party NetEase Games studio, it will operate independently and maintain creative autonomy in its game development and publishing. Its first project will be fully funded by NetEase Games.