Jump to content

Firemonkeys Studios

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RacingPhreak (talk | contribs) at 04:13, 15 October 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Not be confused with the FireMonkey software interface.

Firemonkeys Studios
Company typeSubsidiary of Electronic Arts
IndustryComputer and video game industry
Founded1999
HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
Key people
Robert Murray
ProductsReal Racing series
Flight Control series
Number of employees
60[1]
ParentElectronic Arts
WebsiteOfficial website

Firemonkeys Studios is a developer and publisher of video games, based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1999 by CEO Robert Murray as Firemint.[2] Originally an independent company, in May 2011, Electronic Arts announced the acquisition of Firemint for an undisclosed sum, making it an in-house studio for EA Interactive. IronMonkey Studios were also taken under EA Interactive's wing back in 2010.[3]

In January 2011, Firemint acquired fellow Australian video game developer Infinite Interactive, best known for the Puzzle Quest series. In July 2012, Firemint announced a post on their blog that Firemint would merge with IronMonkey Studios by EA and merge their names into Firemonkeys. All new games, including Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Real Racing 3, are released with the new company name.[4]

Awards

File:Firemint.gif
Former logo as Firemint

Firemint was awarded the Arts and Entertainment Award for being amongst the most successful exporters in 2009 at the Australian Export Awards in November.[5]

Games

Firemint have produced a number of different games for different platforms and different publisher. Starting with the Nicktoons Racing in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance. For several years after publishing their debut game Firemint continued to produce and release games for the Game Boy Advance and mobile devices. It wasn’t until early 2008, however, with the release of the Apple iPhone in 2007 did Firemint really expand their games market share. During 2009, Firemint developed their two most popular games, Flight Control and Real Racing. These games went on to achieve great success with the subsequent release of two sequels each, Flight Control HD in 2010, Flight Control Rocket in 2012, Real Racing 2 was released in 2010 and Real Racing 3 in 2013.[6]

Acquisition

Electronic Arts, with a market capitalization of US$6.7 billion, announced the acquisition of Melbourne-based gaming studio Firemint overnight in a press release for an undisclosed amount. Firemint is recognised as one of the leading game developers on the iOS platform. According to Barry Cottle, General Manager of EA Interactive “The Firemint team is remarkable for its critical and commercial success. Having them as part of EAi will accelerate our position as worldwide leader in game development for mobile devices and online gaming platforms." In January, Murray told SmartCompany the work-for-hire market is growing thin, especially as the Australian dollar continues to climb. Coming under the EA banner will give the company security.[7]

Released

Game Platform Release date
Need for Speed: No Limits iOS / Android 2015
Real Racing 3 iOS / Android February 2013
The Sims FreePlay iOS / Android / Kindle Fire / BlackBerry 10 / Windows Phone November 2012
Need for Speed: Most Wanted iOS / Android October 2012
Flight Control Rocket iOS / Windows Phone March 2012
Spy Mouse iOS / Android August 2011
Real Racing 2 iOS / Android / Mac OS X December 2010
Flight Control HD PlayStation 3 / PlayStation Network September 2010
Flight Control Nintendo DSi / DSiWare February 2010
Real Racing iOS June 2009
Flight Control iOS / Windows Phone March 2009
Back at the Barnyard: Slop Bucket Games Nintendo DS October 2008
Madden NFL 09 3D Mobile August 2008
The Fast and the Furious: Pink Slip 3D iOS, Mobile August 2008
The Sims DJ iPod June 2008
Project Joystick: Dung Mobile, PC May 2008
Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots Game Boy Advance November 2007
FIA World Rally Championship Mobile September 2007
Madden NFL 08 3D Mobile August 2007
The Fast & the Furious: Fugitive Mobile June 2007
Ratatouille Mobile June 2007
Tinker Bell: Fly! Mobile February 2007
Need for Speed: Most Wanted Mobile October 2006
Madden NFL 07 3D Mobile August 2006
Socceroos: Path to Glory Mobile June 2006
Sopranos Poker Mobile March 2006
Fairly Odd Parents: Clash with the Anti-World Game Boy Advance September 2005
Snood 2: On Vacation Mobile August 2005
NBA 1 on 1 2006 Mobile June 2005
Star Trek: The Cold Enemy Mobile February 2005
Lilo & Stitch 2: Hamsterviel Havoc Game Boy Advance October 2004
Black Rain: Revenge Mobile September 2004
Ryan Giggs International Mobile August 2004
Tokyo Fighter Mobile December 2003
Soul Daddy BKB Mobile August 2003
Soul Daddy in LA Mobile July 2003
Nicktoons Racing Game Boy Advance June 2002

Currently in development

Game Platform Release date
Kindred Spirits PC Multiplayer TBA

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Pocket Gamer Firemint Company Profile
  3. ^ Moses, Asher (4 May 2011). "High-tech Aussie lands multimillion-dollar deal". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  4. ^ "IronMonkey and Firemint become Firemonkeys". 24 July 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Firemint Wins Australian Export Award". Austrade Media Release.
  6. ^ firemint projects
  7. ^ [2]