Tantalus Media, the Melbourne-based developer part of the Keywords Studios group, has established a new studio in Queensland called Tantalus North. The studio came about thanks to Screen Queensland’s Digital Games Incentive, where over the next couple of years the plan is to grow the team to over 30 people.

As per the press release Tantalus North is working on a project that received funding from the most recent $1.2 million funding round of Screen Queensland’s Digital Games Incentive.

“Queensland is on course to becoming a globally-renowned hub for digital games, with exciting new projects coming from interstate and international companies, as well as emerging local games developers stealing the spotlight with newly-created games,” Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said. “At Screen Queensland, we are committed to expanding the industry, championing our local practitioners, and attracting high-profile companies to establish studios in the state, and Tantalus North is a prime example of how the Digital Games Incentive is working to achieve this."

“Queensland is a genuine hub for games development, and home to a rich pool of talented programmers, artists and more," CEO of Keywords Australia Tom Crago said. "We can’t wait to ship our first Tantalus North title, and we’re already proud of our team and grateful for the support received from the Queensland Government."

Tantalus Media is an Australian institution, having cut its teeth back in the days of the Super Nintendo and original PlayStation. Working with major publishers and partners the studio has most recently worked on the console ports for Cities: Skylines in addition to creating the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition releases for PC.