The co-founder of VR giant Oculus Nate Mitchell (pictured) is launching a brand new studio.

As revealed by GamesIndustry.biz, Mountaintop Studios has been co-founded by CEO Mitchell and fellow Oculus vet Matt Hansen, who is serving as COO. The outfit has already attracted staff from the likes of Naughty Dog, Epic, Respawn, Double Fine and Ensemble.

The company isn't saying much about its first project just yet, save for that the studio's focus is going to be "building multiplayer games that create a challenge." Mountaintop is based in Los Angeles, but the team is working remotely at the moment due to – what else? – the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

"Games have this incredible power to bring people together," Mitchell said.

"There is something special about when a team overcomes what seems like an insurmountable challenge, how that feels and how that transforms them. That's a big part of the heart of the type of games we want to make – but that's all we've got to share just yet."

The firm has also put its cards on the table about what it expects from its staff in the wake of the wave of stories of abuse, bullying and harassment in the games industry.

"We have zero-tolerance for bullying or harassment, internally or externally," Mitchell said.

"Another thing that's important, and this is something I really believe, is that culture starts at the top. Matt and I feel responsible for making sure we're driving the right culture that has zero tolerance for harassment, racism and so on. That starts with us, and we come in every day and focus on how we can make sure that's happening.

"Matt and I want to set this up right from the very beginning so we don't find ourselves in a situation where our employees are responsible for anything like that down the road."

Mitchell left Oculus parent Facebook in September 2019.