"Russian monkeys with jetpacks, giant robots, and lots of other mighty aliens" are promised by today's announcement of Awesomenauts from Ronimo Games, the studio founded by de Blob's initial creators after they sold its rights to THQ. The downloadable title's gameplay sounds as unusual as its stylings--a sidescrolling MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, or DotA game to you and me).

"If MOBA games and classic animated series were to have a baby, this would be it!" said co-founder Jasper Koning. "They don't make 'em like this anymore!"

Awesomenauts is said to combine "classic platforming-action with modern online multiplayer functionality," which sounds intriguing.

It won't be Romino's first time making sidescrollers of unexpected genres, as the developer has already turned the real-time strategy 2D with Swords & Soldiers for PC, Mac, PlayStation Network, and WiiWare.

As for the price and release date, dtp entertainment is keeping quiet for now. Awesomenauts will be on show at E3 in June, so we should hear more about it then.