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Moshi Monsters outfit Mind Candy acquires UK games studio Origami Blue

Will relaunch as R&D studio Candy Labs

Moshi Monsters outfit Mind Candy acquires UK games studio Origami Blue
Mind Candy, the British developer responsible for the Moshi Monsters franchise, has acquired UK games studio Origami Blue for an undisclosed sum.

Founded by three former employees of Disney's Black Rock Studios (shuttered in 2011), Origami Blue has developed augmented reality gaming apps for 'big name clients', and collaborated with a team of education psychologists to create a touch-typing system for children.

Post-acquisition, the Origami Blue staff will join Mind Candy to launch its new research and development studio: Candy Labs.

This will be tasked with developing digital and non-digital entertainment ideas for children.

Extra candy

"Joining Mind Candy to help build the foundation for Candy Labs is incredibly enticing as it will allow us to focus purely on what we love - creating quality, playful innovation for future generations," explained Mark Knowles-Lee of Origami Blue.

"We clicked creatively with the Origami Blue guys from the outset and are hugely excited to bring them onboard," added Mind Candy CEO Michael Acton Smith.

"Developing new IP has always been part of the plan to expand Mind Candy. We have lots of ideas bubbling away and can't wait to see the new visions come to life," he concluded.

In May 2012, Mind Candy entered into a partnership with GREE to bring Moshi Monsters to mobile. As such, Mind Candy will deliver two Moshi Monsters games for a Q4 2012 release on GREE's mobile platform.

Staff Writer

PocketGamer.biz's news editor 2012-2013