DEVELOP AWARDS: Mind Candy takes home Grand Prix prize

Moshi Monsters creator Mind Candy has taken home the prestigious special Grand Prix prize at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards 2012.


Mind Candy has excelled in expanding its operations around the world, developing Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo with US studio Black Lantern, which became the longest running number one ever on the DS in the UK.

The award recognised the company’s blistering period of growth for the children’s online game firm, which has broken through as a true mainstream property in the last 18 months.

Such success, growth and tremendous positive impact on the industry left Mind Candy as the natural choice for the Develop team to select them as the Grand Prix special award winner.

Now one of the UK’s leading entertainment companies, studio founder and CEO Michael Acton-Smith accepted the award through a video speech, surrounded of course by Moshi Monsters.

“Wow, this is amazing.,” said Acton Smith.

We are so ecstatic to win this award. I’m really frustrated that I can’t be there tonight to celebrate with everyone at the after party.

“It’s a bit bizarre, it was only a year ago we won our first ever games industry award at the Develop Awards, and now just 12 months later we’ve won the Grand Prix. Pretty mind-boggling.

“Thank you to everyone for voting for us. Thank you to the amazing Mind Candy team, and the ten of course in the room who will be partying tonight and thank you of course to the millions of kids around the world that have played Moshi.

“And course thank you so much to the wonderful Moshi Monsters themselves.”

A Mind Candy spokesperson has since congratulated the rest of Develop Award winners and expressed their adulation at winning the prize.

“We’re really chuffed. Well done Mind Candies and to all the other Develop Award winners!”

Watch the full acceptance video below.