Bose Corporation has acquired Firelight Technologies, the developer of the FMOD interactive audio software platform, expanding Bose’s technology capabilities in gaming and other immersive audio applications.
Melbourne, Australia-based Firelight develops FMOD, a suite of tools that enables game developers, sound designers and composers to create interactive audio that changes dynamically in response to activity within a game or other real-time application.
Bose plans to continue supporting FMOD as an open platform while investing in its technology, developer community, partners and customers.
The acquisition gives Bose an established software platform as the audio company expands beyond traditional hardware and into technologies that can be embedded into interactive experiences.
Gaming is an initial area of focus for the combination. Over time, Bose also plans to explore potential applications for FMOD technology in virtual and augmented reality, automotive systems and other markets where interactive audio is becoming increasingly important.
Firelight has developed FMOD for approximately 25 years. The platform combines the FMOD Studio professional authoring environment with the cross-platform FMOD Engine for real-time audio playback.
FMOD integrates with major game engines including Unity and Unreal as well as custom development environments and supports applications across game consoles, desktop systems, mobile devices and the web.
For Bose, Firelight becomes part of a broader Audio Technology business focused on extending the company’s audio expertise into products, software platforms and applications developed with outside partners.
Bose’s portfolio also includes the Bose, McIntosh and Sonus faber audio brands.
KEY QUOTES:
“The acquisition of Firelight is a meaningful step forward in the Audio Technology business we’re building at Bose. Gaming represents a significant opportunity for our continued growth, and we believe our audio expertise can help creators deliver even better experiences for players. Alongside our other recent investments, Firelight broadens the capabilities we’re bringing to partners and presents new opportunities for future innovation.”
Nick Smith, President of Bose Audio Technology and Chief Strategy Officer
“For more than two decades, we’ve focused on building powerful tools that help creators bring their ideas to life. Joining Bose provides new opportunities to advance the FMOD roadmap while continuing to support the community that relies on it.”
Brett Paterson, Founder and CEO of Firelight Technologies
