The International Business Times has reported that TurtleRock Studios, the company behind the development of Counter Strike and most recently Left 4 Dead with Valve, has formed a partnership with THQ. TurtleRock has since ended their relationship with Valve before the release of Left 4 Dead 2.

The joint venture is rumored to be an FPS that will be more akin to Counter Strike and will be released sometime in 2013.

"Our quest to sign the best artists and work with the best talent continues," said Danny Bilson, EVP Core Games, THQ. "Turtle Rock Studios is responsible for one of the most original, critically acclaimed co-operative games of this generation, and we are incredibly excited to be working with them on their next project, which looks set to make a similar impact in the multi-player space."

The project will not be unvieled at E3 next month, as TurtleRock currently has no E3 plans, although more information will be released about the venture shortly afterwards.

Phil Robb, COO of Turtle Rock Studios, added, "We're thrilled to be working with THQ. This project is the most ambitious thing we've ever attempted, and we're inspired by the support THQ has shown to help us realize that vision. We're going to take the first person shooter experience to a whole new level, and we can't wait to show the game for the first time in the months ahead."

It sounds like the two studios are cooking up quite the surprise, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they end up cobbling together. Maybe it will be the next FPS to revolutionize the online market, who knows?