EA snaps up Aussie game studio Firemint
Electronic Arts announced overnight that it will acquire prominent Australian video games studio Firemint, in a move that will bring the popular Flight Control, Real Racing and Puzzle Quest games under the video game giant's wings.
Firemint shot to global prominence over the past few years through several popular in-house-developed games. In addition, the company recently merged with fellow Australian independent studio Infinite Interactive, maker of the Puzzle Quest line of games.
Flight Control appears to have been highly lucrative for Firemint. In January 2010, for example, the developer noted that it had sold 2 million copies of its Flight Control app for Apple's iOS platform, which costs $1.19. The game has appeared on a number of "top 100" paid apps lists around the world, and has held the top spot in some countries, including Australia. Most of the sales at that stage (46 per cent) had come from the US, with Australians contributing 8 per cent of sales.
The company's Real Racing game also appears to be selling well, if downloads of a free copy are any indication.
Firemint has yet to respond to a request for comment this morning, but a statement distributed by EA overnight said that the company would bring with it "an attractive future slate of games". Financial details were not disclosed.
"The Firemint team is remarkable for its critical and commercial success," said Barry Cottle, executive vice president and general manager of EA Interactive. "Having them as part of EAi will accelerate our position as worldwide leader in game development for mobile devices and online gaming platforms."
Electronic Arts is one of the world's largest video game makers, with a long list of franchises to its name; among them Mass Effect, Sims, Rock Band, Medal of Honour, Need for Speed, Dragon Age and the Command & Conquer series.
However, the company has garnered a poor reputation for itself in the industry over the years as a workplace, due to what some saw as poor working conditions for its game developers, some of whom had worked extraordinarily long hours. The company has reportedly made an effort to improve its employee satisfaction, especially associated with the appointment of John Riccitiello as the company's new chief executive in 2007.