Publisher Atlus USA Atlus (Persona 4, Trauma Center) announced a new online-focused business division for PC online games, with a community anime and game-focused portal alongside it.

The new division, Atlus Online will launch and manage the company's new Atlus Online portal, which promises to incorporate rich community features and social networking elements -- in addition to giving registrants access to the division's first online game, not yet announced.

The new division plans to launch services globally, and the portal's PC online games will operate on a hybrid subscription model, supported by multiple payment options, according to an official announcement.

Tyler Kim, whose previous experience in the online games space includes positions at K2 Network and Arenanet, will serve as Online Games director at the new branch. Jamie Ortiz, who has worked at Atlus USA as a project lead for four years now, is now head of Business Operations.

Jun Hyun Kim, formerly COO at Webzen America, will head Atlus Online's game operations, while Kevin Crawford, who helped produce K2 Network's flagship title Knight Online, will work as online project manager.

"Atlus has long wanted to create an online portal that would become the daily destination for anyone looking for a fresh and engaging online entertainment experience," says Atlus CEO and president Shinichi Suzuki. "Atlus Online will emerge as an extremely user-focused destination that is fully accessible to each and every one of its members."

"From amazing games to play to exciting contests, exceptional content and great community interaction, we are convinced that Atlus Online will be a premiere interactive entertainment destination for online gamers and anime fans alike."

[The preceding article by Eric Caoili also appeared on Worlds in Motion sister site Gamasutra.]