Victorian video game development studio Firemint has won the Governor’s Export Award for Arts and Entertainment for contributing to the global video games industry.
The company, based in Richmond, has achieved success over the past year with the release of its iPhone games Flight Control and Real Racing, both of which have appeared at the top of iPhone App charts worldwide.
“This award recognises Firemint’s international success in a very competitive global industry. By creating original and distinctive games, the company has set the benchmark for gaming publishers worldwide,” director of industry, export for the Victorian Government, Andrew Farrington said in a statement.
Firemint chief executive Robert Murray said the award shows how a small Victorian company can achieve success through digital distribution.
The company released its first app, Flight Control, earlier this year after having no experience in apps development. The game took little time to make, and has given the company millions in revenue.
Its second iPhone app, Real Racing, has been hailed by many reviewers as the best racing game currently available on the iPhone or iPod Touch.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
