EA merges Firemint and Iron Monkey studios to create Firemonkeys

EA's two Australian mobile game development studios Firemint and Iron Monkey are merging to form a single studio: Firemonkeys.

EA's two Australian mobile game development studios Firemint and Iron Monkey are merging to form a single studio: Firemonkeys.

Firemint, best known for Flight Control and SPY Mouse, was acquired by EA in May 2011. Iron Monkey Studios, which had a very strong relationship with EA developing the mobile versions of EA brands like Medal of Honor, Need for Speed, and The Sims, was acquired by the publisher in 2010.

The merger of the two Melbourne-based studios is likely to make Firemonkeys the largest studio in Australia.

In an interview with GameSpot, Iron Monkey's general manager Tony Lay said: "This is simply the most practical way to be successful, for both Iron Monkey and Firemint. It wasn't our original intention to merge, but since we work in the same building and we often help each other out on projects it made a lot of sense.

"Ultimately, the name Firemonkeys respects both the studios' legacy. People can still judge us by the products we make," Lay said.

"Iron Monkey has always retained creative control over the games we make and that won't change. All this merger means is that we can be a lot more efficient in the way we do business. We can share resources and knowledge with Firemint and become the best of the breed in mobile development."

EA said in an official statement that the merger will create a more focused team of mobile game developers.

"This merge in the mobile space is resulting in positive overall growth for the Firemonkeys team, as the studio is now hiring for several positions," the statement read. "Fans should expect to see progressive development efforts with upcoming launch and project announcements in 2012."