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Three former EA Mobile veterans have launched a new game development studio in Melbourne, Australia, called The Three Thousands.
The founders, Joseph Donoghue, Nikhil Kurian, and Benjamin Dawe, all previously worked on popular racing titles like Real Racing 3 and Need for Speed No Limits. They bring a wealth of experience from their time at EA Melbourne’s Firemonkeys studio.
The Three Thousands aims to create innovative racing games and expand the concept of automotive entertainment in the digital world. Their first game is scheduled for release in 2025, with more projects and partnerships expected to be announced in the coming months.
CEO Joseph Donoghue, who led the Firemonkeys studio and oversaw titles with millions of downloads, expressed a vision of blending racing, culture, and entertainment in new ways.
The studio’s founding team includes Chief Product Officer Nikhil Kurian, a 12-year veteran of racing game development, and Chief Creative Officer Benjamin Dawe, who brings over 15 years of creative direction experience from both EA and Roadshow Films. Together, they plan to build on their racing expertise to create genre-defining games that appeal to a “global audience.”
The new venture comes as EA has scaled back its mobile game effort, having canceled several titles and merged mobile teams with their console counterparts in recent years.
Despite this shift, The Three Thousands said they will not limit themselves to mobile gaming and may explore multiple platforms, with a focus on delivering “next-gen experiences” in gaming.
With deep ties to Melbourne’s gaming scene, The Three Thousands aims to blend local talent with global ambitions, potentially positioning itself as a new creative force in the racing game industry.
