Published on October 1st, 2024 | by Andrew Bistak
The Three Thousands Studio Launches in Melbourne
Today marks the exciting launch of The Three Thousands, a cutting-edge game development studio founded by a team of senior industry veterans. Inspired by its postcode (3000) in the heart of Melbourne, Victoria the studio is poised to bring a fresh and innovative approach to the gaming and entertainment space, drawing on a rich background in motorsport, automotive, and pop culture.
With a track record of over 750 million downloads in racing games including the Real Racing and Need for Speed franchises, the studio’s founders have extensive experience designing and developing critically acclaimed titles that have captivated gamers worldwide. With this new studio, 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.
The Three Thousands Studio is founded by seasoned leaders with decades of collective experience in game development, creative strategy and storytelling:
- 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.
Joseph Donoghue, CEO of The Three Thousands, explained the studio’s vision: “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.”
Nikhil Kurian, Chief Product Officer, discussed the timing behind the venture: “Now is the perfect moment to launch The Three Thousands studio. With government incentives making Australia an attractive, cost-effective location, we’re positioned to build world-class products on efficient budgets. We’re excited to develop new games that harness these advantages and push the boundaries of world-class innovation.”
The Three Thousands has an ambitious roadmap ahead with one major title scheduled for release in 2025. Further product offerings and partnerships will be announced in the coming months.
Chief Creative Officer Benjamin Dawe, summed up the studio’s ambition, “As major franchises reach maturity, there’s an open lane for innovation in both the technology we use and how we build IP. We’re stepping into that space, aiming to create next-gen experiences that challenge what’s possible in gaming and entertainment.”
For further information on the Three Thousands visit (thethreethousands.com) or follow on LinkedIn.