EA scoops up mobile game studio Firemint

Interactive entertainment software firm Electronic Arts will acquire Firemint, the independent Australian mobile game development studio behind hits including Flight Control and Real Racing.

Firemint sold over 4 million copies of Flight Control for iPhone.

Financial details were not disclosed. Founded in 1999, Firemint created more than 30 games on publisher commissions before making the move into self-publishing--the firm is best known for Flight Control, an iPhone game with sales topping 4 million. The title has since expanded to platforms including Android, iPad and PlayStation 3. Other Firemint releases of note include Real Racing and Agent Squeek is slated for release later this year--earlier this year, the company acquired developer Infinite Interactive of Puzzle Quest fame.

EA states the Firemint deal is expected to close within four weeks, adding the company brings with it creative talent as well as a slate of future game releases. The agreement follows EA's recent acquisition of cross-platform development and porting solutions provider Mobile Post Production.

In March, EA expanded its EA Partners program to the company's Chillingo and Playfish units, enabling independent mobile and social game developers to leverage the company's international publishing and distribution network. First established in 2003, EA Partners connects Electronic Arts with studios like Epic Games, Vanguard Games and Paramount Digital Entertainment, expanding the company's slate of available titles for console, PC and digital platforms; EA Partners will now target platforms like iOS and Android as well as Facebook.

For more:
- read this release

Related articles:
Electronic Arts partner program embraces mobile game developers
Electronic Arts acquires Angry Birds publisher Chillingo
EA Mobile to distribute Namco Bandai games
EA Mobile expands Madden NFL to Apple's iPad