Do you remember Real Racing and the Need for Speed mobile games? Chances are you do as those titles have been downloaded over 750 million times…and now, the people behind those games have announced a brand-new, Melbourne-based studio; The Three Thousands.
Named for Melbourne’s postcode (3000), The Three Thousands has been founded by EA Melbourne talent “with decades of collective experience in game development, creative strategy and storytelling.” The Three Thousands has said, “they have their sights on developing genre-defining racing titles that will resonate with global audiences while tapping into the rich culture of car enthusiasts and pop culture lovers alike.”
With “one major” game scheduled to be released in 2025, it’s unclear if The Three Thousands will be releasing into the mobile space or if this project will come to consoles and PC. Chief Creative Officer Benjamin Dawe said The Three Thousands is “aiming to create next-gen experiences that challenge what’s possible in gaming and entertainment,” which suggests a more traditional release, but time will tell.
The Three Thousands
The Three Thousands founders are;
- Joseph Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer: With over 15 years in the gaming industry, Donoghue formerly led EA Australia’s studio as General Manager, driving major game titles and global product launches.
- Nikhil Kurian, Chief Product Officer: A 12 year veteran in product development and operations, His roles include Racing GM at EA Melbourne. Kurian has steered innovative gaming projects and played a key role in shaping game genres.
- Benjamin Dawe, Chief Creative Officer: With more than 15 years of experience, Dawe has a proven track record of delivering innovative and creative products. Prior experience includes Studio Creative Director at EA Melbourne and more recently Head of Creative at Roadshow Films.
Of the new studio, Donoghue said, “Our goal with The Three Thousands is to become the ultimate Digital Automotive Brand, blending racing, culture, and entertainment in a way no one has done before. We’ve assembled a core team that are truly best in class at what they do to help deliver against the vision and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Kurian says that now is the right time to launch a new studio “With government incentives making Australia an attractive, cost-effective location.” He adds, “We’re excited to develop new games that harness these advantages and push the boundaries of world-class innovation.”
Stay tuned for more info on The Three Thousands and its upcoming racing title scheduled for release in 2025.
For more information on the studio visit (thethreethousands.com) or follow on LinkedIn.
