Internet game goes global thanks to Smart State developers
Published Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
A Smart State company has launched Australia’s first online game that enables thousands of people around the world to play against each other simultaneously.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle visited Newstead-based Auran to congratulate the firm on its latest project, Fury, which has set a new benchmark for the Australian electronic games industry.
“The games world has been eagerly awaiting its release, and now enthusiastic gamers in Australia, Europe and United States can get their hands on the first copies,” Ms Boyle said.
“A team of 60 spent three years bringing the online medieval world of Fury to life, in a sophisticated production worth $15 million dollars.
“This is really comparable to the efforts that go into making a feature film. What’s also great is that Auran developed the entire project from scratch so the intellectual property will stay right here in the Smart State.”
Ms Boyle said Fury was the first massive multiplayer online (MMO) game developed by an independent, Australian-owned company.
“MMO games differ from traditional console or computer electronic games in that they are played over the internet and can support thousands of gamers at one time.
“So Brisbane players can take on people in Barcelona, Boston or in fact, anywhere in the world where the game is available.”
Auran Director Graham Edelsten said Fury was a fantasy, role-playing game in which players take part in gladiatorial combat.
“Characters can acquire special powers such as magic and spells, and while there is fighting with weaponry like swords and axes, there is no blood shed,” he said.
One of the game’s four playing modes involves individuals or clans crossing enemy lines to try to win crystals which provide immunity.
“Characters have been sent to rebuild the Fury world as it is being consumed by an ominous force called the Fade. Players must fight in battle to gather Fury essence and ensure the survival of their realm.”
Mr Edelsten said Fury would also be launched in Russia by the end of the year and that a customised version was planned for Asia in 2008.
“Our goal is to turn Fury into the number one, player-versus-player competitive game on the market.”
Established in 1995, Auran became an internationally recognised games developer in 1997 with the hit game Dark Reign: The Future of War.
Ms Boyle said the electronic games industry was developing as a niche, global business in Queensland.
“Queensland now has 20 companies employing some 620 people. Many of these are centred around the Valley, Spring Hill, South Brisbane and Kelvin Grove which is emerging as a hub for a range of technology-based businesses.
“These firms make a great contribution to Queensland’s information and communication technology (ICT) landscape which generated $23.6 billion in sales in 2005-2006 – more than double 1999 revenue.”
At Auran, Minister Boyle witnessed professional games developers battle it out with student developers from Qantm College.
Qantm College is a leading Australian training institution delivering a variety of digital media degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas of programming, animation, multimedia, graphic design and film making.
Mr Edelsten, who is on Qantm’s advisory board, said many Qantm graduates now worked for Auran, and the company offered work experience for animation students.
He assists in setting Qantm’s curriculum to help ensure budding games professionals graduate with real-world industry skills.
Fury is rated for teens and is available in electronic game retail stores or over the internet.
For Fury images and video:
http://www.sd.qld.gov.au/fury/
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2004
Auran's Ashwin Segkar: 3358 8888
16 October 2007
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle visited Newstead-based Auran to congratulate the firm on its latest project, Fury, which has set a new benchmark for the Australian electronic games industry.
“The games world has been eagerly awaiting its release, and now enthusiastic gamers in Australia, Europe and United States can get their hands on the first copies,” Ms Boyle said.
“A team of 60 spent three years bringing the online medieval world of Fury to life, in a sophisticated production worth $15 million dollars.
“This is really comparable to the efforts that go into making a feature film. What’s also great is that Auran developed the entire project from scratch so the intellectual property will stay right here in the Smart State.”
Ms Boyle said Fury was the first massive multiplayer online (MMO) game developed by an independent, Australian-owned company.
“MMO games differ from traditional console or computer electronic games in that they are played over the internet and can support thousands of gamers at one time.
“So Brisbane players can take on people in Barcelona, Boston or in fact, anywhere in the world where the game is available.”
Auran Director Graham Edelsten said Fury was a fantasy, role-playing game in which players take part in gladiatorial combat.
“Characters can acquire special powers such as magic and spells, and while there is fighting with weaponry like swords and axes, there is no blood shed,” he said.
One of the game’s four playing modes involves individuals or clans crossing enemy lines to try to win crystals which provide immunity.
“Characters have been sent to rebuild the Fury world as it is being consumed by an ominous force called the Fade. Players must fight in battle to gather Fury essence and ensure the survival of their realm.”
Mr Edelsten said Fury would also be launched in Russia by the end of the year and that a customised version was planned for Asia in 2008.
“Our goal is to turn Fury into the number one, player-versus-player competitive game on the market.”
Established in 1995, Auran became an internationally recognised games developer in 1997 with the hit game Dark Reign: The Future of War.
Ms Boyle said the electronic games industry was developing as a niche, global business in Queensland.
“Queensland now has 20 companies employing some 620 people. Many of these are centred around the Valley, Spring Hill, South Brisbane and Kelvin Grove which is emerging as a hub for a range of technology-based businesses.
“These firms make a great contribution to Queensland’s information and communication technology (ICT) landscape which generated $23.6 billion in sales in 2005-2006 – more than double 1999 revenue.”
At Auran, Minister Boyle witnessed professional games developers battle it out with student developers from Qantm College.
Qantm College is a leading Australian training institution delivering a variety of digital media degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas of programming, animation, multimedia, graphic design and film making.
Mr Edelsten, who is on Qantm’s advisory board, said many Qantm graduates now worked for Auran, and the company offered work experience for animation students.
He assists in setting Qantm’s curriculum to help ensure budding games professionals graduate with real-world industry skills.
Fury is rated for teens and is available in electronic game retail stores or over the internet.
For Fury images and video:
http://www.sd.qld.gov.au/fury/
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2004
Auran's Ashwin Segkar: 3358 8888
16 October 2007