Congratulations must go to Firemint for taking out the Australian Export Award in the Arts and Entertainment Category, announced at the awards ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, last Monday. We've seen many local game development studios take out similar export awards over the years for their particular state, but this is the first time I can recall a game studio take out the major national one. Excellent stuff!
(Press release)
Melbourne, 23 November 2009 – Firemint today announced that it is the proud winner of the Australian Export Award in the Arts and Entertainment Category. The studio was honoured as one of Australia’s most successful exporters at the award ceremony hosted by the Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean MP, at Parliament House in Canberra.
Firemint is globally recognized as one of the most successful iPhone game developers, thanks to its games Flight Control and Real Racing. Flight Control sold more than one million copies in the first three months, becoming a world-wide #1 hit. Real Racing is critically acclaimed as one of the best handheld racing games, and one of the most impressive games on the iPhone overall. Real Racing GTI, which provides a small sample of the content available in Real Racing, is available for free and has been downloaded more than 2.7 million times.
Accepting the award, Firemint's CEO Robert Murray said "It takes extraordinary technical and creative skills to make a game. This award is a credit to our people, and their dedication to producing outstanding entertainment."
Firemint was commended by the Australian Export Award judges for its strong risk management as well as its highly responsive and innovative marketing strategies.
The Australian Export Awards are co-presented by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and recognise excellence and achievement in exporting. Now in its 47th year, the program honours the "best of the best", exporters who have achieved sustainable export growth through innovation and commitment. The Australian Export Awards have earned the reputation throughout the Australian business community as one of the most prestigious and significant industry awards on the business calendar.