Scott Martins, former head of Sony Online Entertainment Denver, and other SOE veterans have opened Dire Wolf Digital Game Studio, a new developer specializing in online trading card games, digital collectibles, and social titles.

Based in Denver, Colorado, the new company is currently working on an online trading card game based on an upcoming MMO, and is in the pre-production stage for other social and strategy game projects due 2011.

The studio emphasizes an "Anytime, Anyplace" approach to its technology, which it says will allow consumers to "play from multiple types of clients (web/social, mobile, console), all connecting to a single back-end."

Martins previously founded Worlds Apart Productions, which was acquired by SOE in August 2006. He's serving as president of Dire Wolf and established the studio with several other SOE and Worlds Apart veterans, such as creative director Paul Dennen, technical lead Ryan Anderson, and server architect Bruce Mitchener.

During their time at SOE and Worlds Apart, the group worked on titles like The Lord of the Rings Online Trading Card Game (TCG), the Stargate TCG, Legends of Norrath (EverQuest-integrated TCG), the Star Wars Galaxies TCG, and the Free Realms TCG.

Kieran Yanner, formerly a concept artist at Microsoft Game Studios, where he helped developed the look and feel of the Xbox 360's upcoming motion controls accessory Kinect, has also joined Dire Wolf as art director. Prior to his position at Microsoft, he held senior artist roles at THQ, Vigil Games, NCsoft, and Spacetime Studios.

"With the proven track record and passion of our veteran team, Dire Wolf is poised to become a leader in the digital collectibles space," says Martins. "We want to continue to make fun games that fans of all ages can enjoy and play for years to come."