Unity Games is entering the publishing world, with a focus on "mobile first" titles.

Unity Technologies also unveiled new 2D tools and announced the launch of Unity Cloud as part of its developer conference.

Unity is known for 3D game-making tools, but "we wanted to make sure the same was true for 2D," Joachim Ante, CTO of Unity Technologies, said in a statement.

To that end, 2D tools will be added to the Unity 4.3 update this fall. "Unity can and has been used for the development of many amazing 2D projects, but we knew that it could be better. So we are taking a leap forward by introducing fundamental tools to make Unity a truly great 2D engine," said David Helgason, Unity CEO.

Unity Cloud, meanwhile, will help mobile game developers acquire new players, promote their games, and monetize their products. Unity will help on the business side and "do the heavy lifting," providing developers with analytics, marketing, and monetization capabilities.

Initially, Unity will offer in-app ads via Unity Cloud, which is still in beta, but additional services are in the works.

On the game development front, Unity will launch Roadhouse Interactive's Freeride Ski Cross (pictured) and Black Tower's action-RPG Archangel. Free-to-play Ski Cross (trailer below) features tap-and-hold gameplay, sending players racing down slopes in competitive events. Gamers can connect with friends and challenge their best times.

"Unity is the leader in driving 3D mobile game development, and we're super excited to be a launch title for Unity Games," Roadhouse CCO Ian Verchere said in a statement. "We can focus on content and making a great game, knowing that with Unity, the graphics and speed we need to define action-sports on mobile are there."

If virtual sports aren't your thing, Unity is also launching Archangel, a role-playing game that stars a wing-clad warrior blessed with the power of magic. Sling fireballs, freeze enemies, summon explosive meteors, and resurrect defeated enemies in the action game.

Unity's new publishing program is designed to help boost independent developers by leveraging the company's industry status. Unity Games plans to target a wide array of audiences with a portfolio that reflects different genres and styles.

"We've worked hard over the years to create a technological canvas that allows developers of all sizes to realize their wildest creative visions," Unity Technologies CEO David Helgason said in a statement.

"Now, thanks to our unique combination of developer trust, technological leadership, newly announced Unity Cloud services, and strong relationships with key distribution partners," he continued, "Unity Games is in an awesome and unique position to make a hugely positive impact on the lives of game developers."

Both titles will be available in the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play this fall; specific release dates and prices have not been released. Freeride Ski Cross and Archangel are only the first of several titles expected for release in the next year from partners like Spark Plug Games, Electric Eggplant, Mimimi Productions, and N-Fusion Interactive.

Unity Games, recently rebranded from Union, was formed as an offshoot of Unity Technologies, with the intent of helping developers tap into emerging platforms like the Roku, Tizen, and LG TV. The company is also working closely with Facebook, which touts more than 260 million monthly gamers.

As part of the developer conference, Facebook launched a new cross-platform SDK for iOS, Android, and Web-based developers that makes it faster and easier to integrate Unity games with Facebook. "The number of active Facebook users with Unity installed more than tripled in the first half of 2013, and today more than 90 million monthly active users have Unity installed on the Web," Facebook said.

Facebook and Unity first teamed up in March.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 4p.m. Eastern with comment from Roadhouse Interactive.

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