Today Electronic Arts announced that it has reached an agreement to buy Australian games outfit Firemint, most famous for its smash hit Flight Control and Real Racing iOS games. The acquisition of Firemint by EA is another indication of the games publisher’s intent on dominating the ever-expanding mobile games market — EA purchased Angry Birds publisher Chillingo in October 2010 for around $20 million.
EA also said in the press release that it had recently bought Mobile Post Production Inc. who specialize in porting games across mobile platforms. EA will use the two companies’ expertise going forward in the mobile games market.
Here’s what VP of EA Interactive Barry Cottle had to say regarding the purchase:
Having them [Firemint] as part of EAi will accelerate our position as worldwide leader in game development for mobile devices and online gaming platforms.”
“The added technical expertise of MPP, combined with the creative talent of Firemint and our EAi studio teams, fuels EA’s leadership in delivering top selling, high quality games across mobile phones and smartphones, tablets and future digital interactive entertainment platforms.”
Electronic Arts is setting itself up for a long and successful future in the mobile games market. EA has bought some of the most promising talent in the mobile gaming space in Firemint, and I’m sure that the employees of the firm will continue to churn out addictive, charming and colorful games that will distract us from our day jobs for many years to come.
Article Via TUAW
