Former People Can Fly members launch The Astronauts with studio-wide Unreal Engine license

The Astronauts, a new independent studio formed by former members of People can Fly, announced today a long-term Unreal Engine licensing agreement with Epic Games.

The studio, which is founded by Adrian Chmielarz, Andrzek Poznanski, and Michal Kosieradzki, will have the rights to develop titles using the engine. The Astronauts is currently developing its first title due out for release in 2013, with Epic's Unreal Engine 3.

"We've worked with UE3 for the last six years, and we know its power," says Chmielarz in a written statement. "Choosing Unreal Engine technology for our future was the textbook definition of a no-brainer. We are on a quest to map uncharted waters, and Epic's tech provides the stability required for success."

Chmielarz founded Bulletstorm developer People Can Fly in 2002. He and two artists from the studio left the company in August.

Epic Games president Mike Capps previously told Polygon that Adrian Chmielarz, Andrzej Poznanski and Michal Kosieradzki "parted ways with People Can Fly and Epic Games in order to pursue other opportunities, which they will announce of their own accord."