Game developer THQ has wasted no time prepping itself for the coming next-gen game onslaught. The Calabasas, California-based maker of many licensed kids titles has recently announced the formation of a new studio set up specifically for next-gen game development.

Based in Carlsbad, California, Incinerator Games is already hard at work. Incinerator GM Bill Todd says the studio was intentionally conceived as a small outfit. The team consist of 12 or so very savvy and experienced game makers, most of whom are former senior-level developers from gaming giants such as Sony and Rockstar Games.

The team’s first project is creating a version of THQ’s bestselling Cars, based on Disney’s movie released this past summer, for Nintendo’s upcoming Wii console. Todd says the next project will most likely be a next-gen port of another established THQ title, but looking down the line he is hoping to develop original games as well.