Flying Lab Software, developer of the MMO Pirates of the Burning Sea, is heading towards for the open waters of the casual business.

The studio announced Thursday Flying Lab Casual, a spin-off that will remain committed to the creation of large online worlds, but with a more mass market focus.

The first game coming out of the casual division will revolve around a "family friendly universe" as part of a partnership with trading card company Upper Deck. More details will emerge in the weeks to come, the company stated.

Seattle-based Flying Lab Software, which employs 83 workers, launched Pirates of the Burning Sea one year ago, and is also responsible for Rails Across America.

Flying Labs CEO Russell Williams (pictured) said in a statement, "The casual division has its own core team that has grown out of the talented development team and success of Pirates of the Burning Sea.

"This new division not only expands our company and its audience reach, but also gives our developers a chance to work on new genres and different types of games.”

Pic via theage.com.au