Normally creators of various video games build-in benchmarks into their titles in order to held determining necessary hardware to play their game. Hence, game creators become benchmark designers. But Futuremark Corp., a leading designer of benchmarks for personal computers, decided to reverse the trend, create its own game studio and develop video games in addition to benchmarks.

Futuremark this week announced the formation of a group named the Futuremark Games Studio. Although the new studio will demonstrate its ability to seamlessly integrate the latest technologies into its engines, its mission is to build world class games that bring new and entertaining game play to gamers, but not offer addendums for 3DMark suites. This includes games and their engines that deliver stellar performance even on modest platforms right up to the most enthusiastic levels of performance hardware.

For the past 10 years, Futuremark has been pushing the boundaries of PC 3D graphics performance with its 3DMark series, which has become by far the world’s most popular benchmarking software. The 3DMark series combines “stunning 3D art with world class engines from Direct3D 6 up to Direct3D 10,” said Futuremark, implying that the successor of the 3DMark06 that takes advantage of DirectX 10 is incoming and, possibly, shortly.

“Futuremark Games Studio is committed to developing original IP games with the highest quality game play combined with our established track record of creating blow-your-socks-off visuals. For years, our fans have been asking us when we start making games. Very soon they are going to get it – and then some,” said Tero Sarkkinen, CEO of Futuremark Corporation.

The first game by Futuremark Games Studio is already in development, the company indicated.