The Germany-based game developer and CryEngine technology creator Crytek has revealed another surprise expansion, with the announcement of Crytek USA, a new North American base of operations, located in Austin, Tx.

Crytek today unveiled their ninth worldwide studio, situated in Austin, Texas, USA. Crytek USA Corp. is the company’s first US-based studio and is ideally placed to embrace exciting new game, engine and business development opportunities in North America and beyond.

“Crytek has always enjoyed a special relationship with gamers and business partners in North America, so establishing a permanent presence in the US was a natural step,” said Crytek CEO, Cevat Yerli. “We are extremely excited about the work that we will be undertaking from our strategic new location in Austin, with David Adams and his team of 35 experienced developers. We believe our CryEngine technology will enable the team we assemble to create unparalleled new gaming experiences.”

The news comes suspiciously soon after Austin-based studio Vigil games failed to find a buyer during THQ's bankruptcy proceedings.

Industry publication Gamasutra reached out to Crytek for more info on the likely Vigil connection, confirming that the studio's refugees were a factor in the creation of the new company.

The newly-formed Crytek USA Corp. will be located in Austin, Texas, and headed by CEO David Adams, the former GM and co-owner of local Darksiders developer Vigil.

Adams will oversee a team of "35 experienced developers" consisting of "some of the brightest development talent in the industry," according to a statement given to Gamasutra. Though we've yet to confirm this for sure, a representative strongly hinted at the possibility that this staff may have several other veterans from Vigil, whose days appear to be numbered after bankrupted owner THQ failed to find it a buyer.

When asked if the new Austin studio was essentially a purchase of Vigil Games, Crytek rep Jens Schafer told us Crytek USA is "more like a new start for [the team at Vigil]." We're following up for more details.

Gamasutra points out that Crytek USA marks Crytek's ninth development studio worldwide, with others in Germany, UK, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, Seoul, Shanghai and, Istanbul.

Having recently acquired the franchise rights for Homefront 2, with plans to continue development of the game without a publishing partner for now, Crytek is looking pretty cashed up. If they intend to scoop up the Darksiders rights, during the remainder of THQ's bankruptcy process, maybe we will see more of the four horsemen after all.