Developers Cubed: Celebrating Aussie Developers

 title=Developers! Developers! Developers! Steve Ballmer’s favourite sweat-laden catchcry is a reminder that all those great apps we spend so much time using on our phones and PCs are made by someone, somewhere. Developers Cubed looks to get a behind the scenes look at some of Australia’s up and coming development scene. This week, we speak to Tony Lay at IronMonkey Studios, the team behind some of Electronic Arts’ most successful mobile games.

 title=Who are you and where do you work?
My name is Tony Lay and I work at the IronMonkeys Studio here in Melbourne. IronMonkey Studio is a part of Electronic Arts.

Why do we know you? What have you created?
We’re responsible for developing Sims 3, Sims Ambitions and World Adventures, NFS Undercover, Shift and Hot Pursuit, Simpsons, Mirrors Edge and recently Dead Space on the iPhone and iPad.

What platforms do you develop for?
iOS, Android and other highend mobile platforms.

What are you working on right now?
Many interesting projects. 🙂

 title=How did you get into development?
I’ve always wanted to be in games development, but there weren’t any options for tertiary study when I was younger. I studied Industrial Design at RMIT and got a traineeship to work as an artist in TV doing ads. I freelanced around to other studios and finally found my way to Melbourne House (Beam, Infogrames at the time).

What do you think about the rise and rise of App Stores? How has it influenced your titles?
We were a mobile focused studio before the app store stormed in. It’s been the single biggest movement in mobile gaming and now proving to also be as important in gaming in general. We are a premium developer of mobile titles and the app store is the best vehicle for our products at the moment.

I compare it to early days of Space invaders, Pac man etc where everyone played games. The app store is a platform that makes games into an accessible entertainment platform once again. So our focus is to develop premium quality titles to this accessible market.

What’s your favourite app that you didn’t create?
Right now… Tiny wings.

What phone do you use? Why?
I use an iPhone 4.. It’s the best lifestyle platform in my opinion.

What advice do you have for budding Aussie developers out there?
Jump in with both feet. There isn’t a better time than now to be an independent developer. It’s extremely competitive but there are a multitude of entry points. Being successful is being continually passionate about your craft! Go for it!

[Dead Space]
[Iron Monkey Studios]

Are you an Australian Developer? Want to be a part of Developer Cubed? Send me an email: nick@gizmodo.com.au


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