Infinity Plus Two

Infinity Plus Two is an Australian video-game development studio headquartered in St Kilda, Victoria. The company was founded by designer and programmer Steve Fawkner in 1989 and originally operated as Infinite Interactive. Its early identity was closely connected with Strategic Studies Group (SSG), an Australian developer and publisher associated with the Warlords strategy series. Through that long-running relationship, the studio helped establish the Warlords property as a durable turn-based fantasy strategy franchise. A major organizational turning point came in 2003, when Fawkner moved the company toward full independence after its period of alliance with SSG. As an independent developer, Infinite Interactive continued working on the Warlords universe while broadening its design interests. Its releases included Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria and Warlords Battlecry III, alongside projects that explored the combination of role-playing, strategy, and puzzle mechanics. The studio became particularly associated with Puzzle Quest, a series that integrated match-three puzzle play with character progression, tactical combat, quests, and fantasy role-playing systems. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords was distributed across a wide range of platforms, including PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, iPhone, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and personal computers. This broad release strategy helped the studio reach audiences beyond the traditional computer-strategy market. Later projects extended the concept into different settings and formats, including Puzzle Quest 2, the science-fiction-themed Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, Puzzle Kingdoms, Puzzle Chronicles, and Neopets Puzzle Adventure. Infinite Interactive also experimented with mobile technology at an early stage. In 2009, it was reported to be among the first developers to port a fully custom game engine to Apple's iPhone. Publisher-related difficulties delayed the commercial release of some properties on iOS, illustrating the distribution challenges faced by independent developers during the early smartphone market. In 2011, Infinite Interactive was acquired by Firemint, another Australian game developer known for Flight Control and Real Racing. The arrangement did not remain permanent: in late 2012, Infinite Interactive announced that it was returning to independent operation. During this broader period, the studio developed Gems of War, a free-to-play role-playing puzzle game that drew on the design approach established by Puzzle Quest. Gems of War launched on November 19, 2014 and became one of the studio's central later properties. The company adopted the name Infinity Plus Two in 2019. The new name retained continuity with the earlier studio while marking a rebranded corporate identity. In January 2021, the company was acquired by 505 Games. Publicly available reference material identifies the acquisition but does not establish a complete current operating structure, leadership roster, or whether the Infinity Plus Two name remains an actively marketed standalone studio. Its documented creative legacy centers on combining accessible puzzle mechanics with strategy and role-playing systems, and on developing recognizable game properties for multiple console, handheld, computer, and mobile platforms.

Infinity Plus Two was established in Australia in 1989 by Steve Fawkner. The studio initially became known as Infinite Interactive and developed a close working relationship with Strategic Studies Group, commonly known as SSG. That alliance produced work connected with the Warlords series, a turn-based fantasy strategy property that became the company's foundational franchise. In 2003, Fawkner moved Infinite Interactive toward independence. The change allowed the studio to continue developing its own projects outside the earlier SSG relationship while retaining a strong connection to strategy-game design. Infinite Interactive produced Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria and Warlords Battlecry III, maintaining the Warlords name while also beginning to explore more accessible and hybrid game formats. The studio's most influential design development was Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. The game combined match-three puzzle battles with role-playing progression, quests, equipment, and a fantasy campaign. Rather than treating puzzle mechanics as a separate casual activity, it used them as the core resolution system for a broader strategy and role-playing structure. The game was released for numerous platforms, including PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, iPhone, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. This multi-platform approach became an important part of the studio's business model and audience reach. Infinite Interactive extended the formula through several related or adjacent releases. Puzzle Quest 2 continued the role-playing puzzle concept, while Puzzle Quest: Galactrix transferred the series into a science-fiction setting and used hexagonal tiles. Puzzle Kingdoms applied puzzle systems to a turn-based strategy framework, and Puzzle Chronicles and Neopets Puzzle Adventure further broadened the studio's use of puzzle-based progression. The company also investigated early smartphone development and was reported to have ported a complete custom engine to the iPhone in 2009. Publisher-related issues meant that some intended iOS releases did not appear immediately. In 2011, Firemint acquired Infinite Interactive. Firemint was another Australian developer, associated with Flight Control and Real Racing. The ownership change was short-lived from the perspective of the studio's independence: in late 2012, Infinite Interactive announced a return to independent development. The studio's next prominent property was Gems of War. Announced in 2012 as a game strongly inspired by Puzzle Quest, it combined puzzle combat with role-playing and free-to-play design. The game launched on November 19, 2014 and represented the company's continued effort to adapt its established formula to a contemporary service-oriented market. Infinite Interactive rebranded as Infinity Plus Two in 2019. The name change followed years of work across strategy, role-playing, puzzle, handheld, console, PC, and mobile formats. In January 2021, 505 Games acquired the company. The available reference material does not provide enough information to describe the post-acquisition staffing structure, current executive team, or current release schedule with confidence. The documented history nevertheless places Infinity Plus Two within Australia's notable game-development sector and identifies its principal creative contribution as the fusion of puzzle mechanics with strategy and role-playing systems.

• 2021

  Acquisition by 505 Games

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  505 Games acquired Infinity Plus Two in January.

• 2019

  Rebrand to Infinity Plus Two

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  Infinite Interactive adopted the Infinity Plus Two name.

• 2014

  Gems of War released

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  Gems of War launched on November 19 as a free-to-play role-playing puzzle game.

• 2012

  Return to independence announced

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  Infinite Interactive announced that it would again operate independently.

• 2011

  Acquisition by Firemint

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  Firemint acquired Infinite Interactive.

• 2009

  Custom engine ported to iPhone

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  The studio became one of the early developers reported to have ported a fully custom game engine to the iPhone.

• 2003

  Move toward independence

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  After its long alliance with SSG, the company moved toward operating as an independent developer.

• 1989

  Company founded

  [1]Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org

  Steve Fawkner founded the studio that later became known as Infinite Interactive and then Infinity Plus Two.

An Australian independent game-development studio focused on strategy, role-playing, and puzzle hybrids, with a history of adapting its properties across multiple platforms.

• Turn-based fantasy strategy game

  Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria

  A Warlords-branded strategy title developed during the company's continuing involvement with the fantasy strategy series. It represents the studio's early focus on turn-based campaigns, fantasy settings, and strategic management.

• Fantasy strategy and role-playing game

  Warlords Battlecry III

  A later Warlords-related game associated with Infinite Interactive's strategy portfolio. It broadened the franchise's fantasy warfare setting with role-playing-oriented elements and real-time strategic play.

• Puzzle role-playing game

  Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

  The studio's breakthrough puzzle role-playing title combined match-three battles with quests, character progression, equipment, and a fantasy campaign. It was released across handheld, console, PC, and mobile platforms.

• Puzzle role-playing game

  Puzzle Quest 2

  A follow-up to Puzzle Quest that continued the series' combination of match-three combat and role-playing progression in a fantasy setting.

• Science-fiction puzzle role-playing game

  Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

  A science-fiction entry in the Puzzle Quest line. It adapted the established puzzle-combat concept to a space-themed setting and used hexagonal tiles rather than the conventional arrangement associated with the earlier game.

• Turn-based strategy puzzle game · 2009

  Puzzle Kingdoms

  A turn-based strategy game that applied puzzle mechanics to territorial and strategic play, extending the studio's interest in combining accessible puzzle systems with deeper campaign structures.

• Puzzle role-playing game

  Puzzle Chronicles

  A puzzle-focused role-playing title in the company's broader catalogue of games built around progression, combat, and match-based mechanics.

• Licensed puzzle adventure game

  Neopets Puzzle Adventure

  A licensed puzzle adventure project that applied the studio's puzzle-game expertise to the Neopets fictional universe.

• Free-to-play puzzle role-playing game · 2014

  Gems of War

  A free-to-play role-playing puzzle game inspired by the earlier Puzzle Quest formula. It combines match-based combat with character development and a broader service-oriented progression model.

• Video game

  Tiny Quest

  A game listed among Infinity Plus Two's associated titles. The available reference material does not provide enough detail to characterize its mechanics or release history further.

• 2021

  Acquisition by 505 GamesM&A

  Background

  Infinity Plus Two was operating under its rebranded identity after years of independent development and a previous acquisition by Firemint.

  Action taken

  505 Games acquired the company in January 2021.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not establish the studio's subsequent standalone operating status or leadership structure.

  Source

• 2019

  Corporate rebrandStrategy

  Background

  The studio had operated for decades under the Infinite Interactive name.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name to Infinity Plus Two.

  Aftermath

  The new name became the studio's documented corporate identity before its acquisition by 505 Games.

  Source

• 2014

  Launch of Gems of WarProduct launch

  Background

  The studio sought to build on the design approach of Puzzle Quest with a new game for the contemporary free-to-play market.

  Action taken

  Gems of War launched on November 19, 2014.

  Aftermath

  The release became a prominent later example of the company's puzzle, strategy, and role-playing hybrid design.

  Source

• 2012

  Return to independent operationStrategy

  Background

  The company had operated under Firemint following the 2011 acquisition.

  Action taken

  Infinite Interactive announced that it would return as an independent developer.

  Aftermath

  The studio continued work on puzzle and role-playing projects, including Gems of War.

  Source

• 2011

  Acceptance of Firemint acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Firemint was an Australian developer with established properties including Flight Control and Real Racing.

  Action taken

  Firemint acquired Infinite Interactive.

  Aftermath

  Infinite Interactive later announced a return to independent operation in late 2012.

  Source

• 2003

  Transition to independent developmentStrategy

  Background

  The company had maintained a long alliance with SSG while working on the Warlords series.

  Action taken

  Steve Fawkner moved Infinite Interactive toward full independence.

  Aftermath

  The studio continued developing Warlords-related games and expanded into puzzle, role-playing, and multi-platform projects.

  Source

• 2021.01.14

  Reported2021.01.15

  Digital Bros acquires Infinity Plus Two[2]Digital Bros收购Infinity Plus Twogamesindustry.biz

  Digital Bros, the parent company of 505 Games, purchased Melbourne-based developer Infinity Plus Two. Digital Bros later clarified that the acquisition included Infinite Interactive and Infinity Plus Two for $4.5 million.

Read more

1. 1Infinity Plus Twoen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Digital Bros收购Infinity Plus Twogamesindustry.biz