Western gamers, prepare to be satiated. Namco Bandai has just announced Surge, a new studio and publishing label it says will provide "cutting-edge, genre-defining games that are targeted at satiating the appetite of western gamers."

Afro Samurai (PS3, 360) will mark the first Surge release when it hits on January 27. More Surge games will follow later in the year, with the company stating that they will cover "a wide assortment of categories and platforms."

"Through passion and innovation, Surge will complement our portfolio of established franchises and intellectual property while positioning the company as a creative force," said Namco Bandai marketing VP Andrew Lelchuk.

Surge "personifies our commitment to deliver compelling content for the discriminating player who is looking for games that are not only groundbreaking but also push the envelope," Lelchuk added.