After helping form independent-oriented publisher Gathering of Developers (g.o.d.), sold to Take-Two in 2000, and then helping create independent-focused publisher Gamecock, sold to SouthPeak in 2008, co-founders Harry Miller and Mike Wilson have returned once again with another new publishing outfit.

Dubbed Devolver Digital, it's described as a "production and publishing company based in Austin, Texas, specializing in delivering top quality entertainment to gamers worldwide at affordable prices by any and all means available."

"A few other old friends" are also involved in Devolver, Wilson told Big Download.

Word of Devolver first emerged via this morning's announcement of Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD, with the company assisting developer Croteam in producing and publishing its forthcoming Xbox Live Arcade and PC shooter.

"We're basically acting as the production company for the XBLA game, since we are not an official MSFT publisher yet, and will be publishing the PC version... Read more

Update: Serious Sam HD is due out on PC this fall, publisher CDV has revealed, with the game due in both retail and digital download form. It'll hit worldwide, Russia excluded.

Original: A downloadable revamp of Croteam's frantic shooter Serious Sam: The First Encounter is due on Xbox 360 in late summer, publisher Majesco announced today.

Dubbed "Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD" and packing online co-op for up to four players, the game is being developed by Croteam with Devolver Digital--a new Texas-based "production and publishing company"--aiding in its production.

"The fans have lobbied us hard to do this, so we are stoked about bringing Sam back as big, bold and bad as he ever was," noted Croteam CEO Roman Ribaric.

"You've waited forever but Serious Sam is back from the nether with its award-winning game play that will remind you why you play FPSs in the first place," Majesco added in the press release, before slyly telling Eurogamer that it'll sell for 1200 MS Points ($15).