Unveiling Australia’s Video Game Wizards

Welcome, dear reader, to a journey into the video games world of Australian developers. These talented studios have conjured up some of the most magical interactive experiences in PC games history through their pioneering work across multiple genres.

Firemonkeys Studios, for example, has raced ahead of the competition with smash hits like the video games juggernaut Real Racing 3. Halfbrick Studios sliced its way to over 1 billion downloads with the swipe-tastic PC games phenomenon Fruit Ninja. And Hipster Whale brought back the long-lost art of crossing roads safely with the charming Crossy Road.

Firemonkeys Studios – Racing to the Top

Firemonkeys Studios has led the pack with its hugely successful mobile racing franchises. Founded in 2009 and acquired by Electronic Arts in 2012, some of its most acclaimed video games include:

• Real Racing 3 – This award-winning franchise has been downloaded more than 500 million times. It sets the gold standard for mobile racing games.
• Need for Speed No Limits – Over 100 million players have burned rubber in this adrenaline-charged title.
• The Sims Mobile – Bringing the famous simulation series to phones, with over 25 million downloads.

Other milestones in Firemonkeys’ pole position include smash hits like Real Racing and Need for Speed Undercover. It’s no wonder the studio drove away with Develop Awards for Best Mobile Game Studio in 2013 and 2014. As long as petrol runs through Firemonkeys’ veins, they will continue lapping up trophies and zooming to first place.

Halfbrick Studios – Slicing Through the Competition

Halfbrick Studios has rapidly risen through the ranks to become one of Australia’s premier mobile game developers. Founded in 2001, the Brisbane-based studio skyrocketed to global success on the back of smash hits like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, revolutionizing the mobile gaming landscape in the process.

Some of Halfbrick’s most illustrious highlights since they first burst onto the scene include:

Other era-defining classics in Halfbrick’s ever-expanding library include the zombie shooter Age of Zombies, chaotic runner Monster Dash, and tower defense smash Colossatron. Halfbrick won back-to-back Develop Awards for Best Mobile Game Studio in 2011 and 2012. Halfbrick’s status among Australia’s elite video game developers is well-established.

Hipster Whale – Crossing New Frontiers

Since bursting onto the scene in 2012, Hipster Whale has consistently lived up to their name by going against the tide and crafting deliciously quirky mobile experiences. Under the guidance of co-founders Matt Hall and Tony Purdy, some of Hipster Whale’s most trailblazing titles include:

• Crossy Road – The runaway indie hit with over 100 million downloads that made hopping across roads fun again.
• Shooty Skies – A wacky shooter with over 50 million downloads that turns the sky into an alien-infested battlefield.
• Duet – A minimalist challenge with over 20 million players that tests your rhythmic reflexes.

Other creatively surprising draws in Hipster Whale’s offbeat catalogue are the blob battler Hopping Heads, vehicular chaos simulator Smashy Road: Wanted, and the madcap last-man-standing royal rumble Battlelands Royale.

Hipster This Melbourne-based maverick will continue to break new ground in mobile gaming for years to come.

Infinity Plus Two – Crafting Magical Experiences

Based in Melbourne, Infinity Plus Two has conjured some of interactive entertainment’s most spellbinding worlds since its founding in 1997. Under the guidance of wizarding duo Jeff Tunnell and Warwick Gray, Infinity Plus Two brought a touch of magic to the point-and-click adventure genre through all-time classics like:

• Discworld – This 1995 critical darling captured the wit and wonder of Terry Pratchett’s novels with its fantastical setting and characters.
• Escape from Monkey Island – The fourth installment in the Monkey Island saga continued the comedic adventures of hapless pirate Guybrush Threepwood in 2000.
• The Dig – Created with input from the great storyteller Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi adventure still dazzles players with its beautiful alien vistas.

Other tales of the unexpected weaved by Melbourne’s merry magicians include the dystopian classic Beneath a Steel Sky, the biker adventure Full Throttle, and the supernatural Noir thriller Grim Fandango. Though small in number, Infinity Plus Two’s back catalog carries an undeniable magic that transcends the boundaries of space and time.

The Legacy of Irrational Games

Though now defunct, Irrational Games stands tall as one of Australia’s most decorated developers. Founded in 1997 by Ken Levine and based across Boston and Canberra, Irrational pushed boundaries with iconic franchises like:

Other thought-provoking highlights include the tactical squad shooter SWAT 4, the superhero role-playing game Freedom Force, and more. Though Irrational Games shuttered in 2017, the numerous Game of the Year awards for BioShock and Infinite cement its enduring influence on video games. Under Levine’s visionary direction, they created experiences full of meaning amidst the mayhem.

Manaccom – Venturing Beyond Expectations

Founded in 2009 by James Vaughan and Ben Britten, Melbourne’s Manaccom has never been afraid to explore new digital frontiers. Though starting out in licensed games like The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, Manaccom steadily expanded its horizons into exciting new territory with projects like:

• LEGO Jurassic World – Bringing adorable LEGO charm to the dinosaur franchise in this 2015 brick-building adventure.
• WWE 2K18 – Letting players live their grappling dreams as their favorite wrestling superstars.
• Sniper Elite V2 Remastered – Updating the tactical World War II shooter for a new generation in 2019.

Other unexpected delights from Manaccom’s catalog include the high-speed destruction derby Ridge Racer Unbounded, side-scrolling platformer Joe Danger, and more. At Manaccom, creativity and surprise reign supreme thanks to an intrepid team always seeking their next digital odyssey away from expectations.

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