Company:Big Ant Studios

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Short description: Australian video game developer

Big Ant Studios Pty Ltd
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2001; 23 years ago (2001)
FounderRoss Symons
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
Key people
Ross Symons (CEO)
Number of employees
95
ParentNacon (2021–present)
Websitebigant.com

Big Ant Studios Pty Ltd is an Australian video game developer based in Melbourne. Founded in 2001 by chief executive officer Ross Symons, the company specialises in the development of sports games. Big Ant's games include Cricket 22, Rugby League Live 4,[1] AFL Live,[2][3] AFL 23,[4] and the upcoming Cricket 24, Rugby 24 and Tie Break: Official Game of the ATP and WTA.

History

The studio was founded in 2001 and was originally named Bull Ant Studios, but renamed as "it was getting mispronounced all around the world because they don’t have bull ants", according to Ross Symons. The studio initially worked primarily as a "studio for hire" with publishers such as THQ and Konami before moving towards sports games. Symons has explained this move on the basis that "Sport is renewable. There’s always a sequel. There’s always another season”.[5]

The studio's first sports game was Australian rules football title AFL Live, released in 2011, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[2] The studio has since gone to make further Australian rules football games, as well as rugby league,[1] cricket,[6] lacrosse[7] and tennis[8] titles.

In January 2021, French video game publisher Nacon acquired Big Ant for €35 million.[9] Symons has commented on his ambition "to grow Big Ant Studios into the largest developer of sports entertainment software in the world", and increase staff numbers from 66 (as of April 2022) to 200.[10]

In April 2023, Big Ant opened a second studio in Adelaide.[11]

Games developed

Year Title Platform(s) Publisher Notes Ref
2006 Sprint Cars: Road to Knoxville Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 THQ [12]
The Legend of Spyro Game Boy Advance Vivendi Universal Games[lower-alpha 1] Developed with Krome Studios [13]
2007 The Legend of Spyro PlayStation 2, Wii [14]
2008 Hellboy PlayStation Portable Konami [15]
Sprint Cars 2: Showdown at Eldora PlayStation 2 THQ [16]
2009 Short Track Racing: Trading Paint [17]
2010 Rugby League Live Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Tru Blu Entertainment [18]
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 THQ [19]
Truth or Lies PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360 [20][21]
2011 AFL Live Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Tru Blu Entertainment [2]
Pirate Blast Wii Zoo Games [22]
2012 Rugby League Live 2 iOS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Tru Blu Entertainment [23]
Jetpack Joyride PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Big Ant Studios Port [24]
2013 Fruit Ninja PlayStation Vita [25]
2014 Don Bradman Cricket 14 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One Tru Blu Entertainment [3]
Jetpack Joyride Deluxe PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Big Ant Studios Port [26]
2015 Rugby League Live 3 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One Tru Blu Entertainment [27]
TableTop Cricket Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Big Ant Studios [28]
2016 Big Bash Cricket Android, iOS Cricket Australia [29]
Casey Powell Lacrosse 16 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Big Ant Studios [7]
Don Bradman Cricket 17 PlayStation 4, Xbox One Tru Blu Entertainment [30]
Jetpack Joyride PlayStation 4 Big Ant Studios Port [31]
Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One [32]
2017 Ashes Cricket PlayStation 4, Xbox One [33]
Rugby League Live 4 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Tru Blu Entertainment [1]
2018 AO International Tennis Big Ant Studios [34]
AO Tennis Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [35]
Big Bash Boom Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [36]
Casey Powell Lacrosse 18 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [37]
2019 Cricket 19 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [38]
2020 AO Tennis 2 Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Nacon [39]
Tennis World Tour 2 [40]
2021 The Hundred Mobile Android, iOS
Cricket 22 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S The Nintendo Switch release was delayed to April 2022[41] [42]
2023 AFL 23 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [4]
Cricket 24 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [43]
Tiebreak: Official Game of the ATP and WTA Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [44]
2024 Rugby 24 [45]

Advocacy

Symons opined in a 2016 Australian Financial Review piece that interns should be properly compensated for their work.[46] Big Ant Studios joined the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) in December 2015.[47] Symons made a presentation on the games industry challenges and opportunities to the Australian government's new Parliamentary Friends of Video Games group.[48] In 2021 Symons was added to the IGEA's board of directors.[49]

Big Ant Studios sponsors the women's team at the Carlton Football Club.[50]

Notes

  1. ↑ Released under the Sierra Entertainment brand name

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Rugby League Live 4 Review – Improvements All Round" (in en-US). 2017-07-17. https://press-start.com.au/reviews/playstation4-reviews/2017/07/17/rugby-league-live-4-review-improvements-round/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 (in en) AFL Live Review – IGN, https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/27/afl-live-review, retrieved 2021-01-26 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (in en) Don Bradman Cricket 14 Review – IGN, https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/07/don-bradman-cricket-14-review, retrieved 2021-01-26 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cellini, Aidan (2023-05-06). "AFL23 game: Release date, price, consoles, team ratings, player ratings, modes, commentators" (in en-gb). https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/news/afl-23-game-release-date-player-ratings-price-/wia3ljjna1vtsq5e4wlltia2. 
  5. ↑ Byrne, Seamus (2020-05-14). "Ross Symons, Big Ant Studios" (in en-AU). https://www.byteside.com/2020/05/ross-symons-big-ant-studios-games-developer-intervie/. 
  6. ↑ (in en) Cricket 19 Review – IGN, https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/29/cricket-19-review, retrieved 2021-01-26 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Casey Powell Lacrosse 16 Video Game Set For March Release". Inside Lacrosse. 29 February 2016. https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/casey-powell-lacrosse-16-video-game-set-for-march-release/34092. 
  8. ↑ Square, Push (2017-12-05). "AO Tennis Takes a Shot at PS4 in Time for the Australian Open" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2017/12/ao_tennis_takes_a_shot_at_ps4_in_time_for_the_australian_open. 
  9. ↑ "Nacon Acquires AO Tennis, Cricket 19 Developer Big Ant". 22 January 2021. https://www.ign.com/articles/nacon-acquires-ao-tennis-cricket-19-developer-big-ant. 
  10. ↑ "Big Ant Studios turbocharges plans to become the world’s largest sport games developer" (in en). 27 April 2022. https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/success-stories/big-ant-studios-turbocharges-plans-to-become-the-world-s-largest-sport-games-developer. 
  11. ↑ Tran, Edmond (2023-04-06). "Big Ant opens new studio in South Australia" (in en-AU). https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/big-ant-opens-new-studio-adelaide-south-australia-april-2023-2612528/. 
  12. ↑ "Sprint Cars: Road to Knoxville Review". 29 July 2006. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/29/sprint-cars-road-to-knoxville-review. 
  13. ↑ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-legend-of-spyro-a-new-beginning-review/1900-6160636/#:~:text=Spyro%27s%20latest%20GBA%20adventure%20is,basics%20of%20Spyro%27s%20origin%20intact.&text=That%27s%20fine,%20but%20the%20enemies,and%20the%20combat%20is%20shallow.. 
  14. ↑ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Review". 20 November 2007. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/20/the-legend-of-spyro-the-eternal-night-review. 
  15. ↑ "Hellboy: The Science of Evil Review". 28 June 2008. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/27/hellboy-the-science-of-evil-review-3. 
  16. ↑ "Sprint Cars 2: Showdown at Eldora Review". 11 April 2008. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/10/sprint-cars-2-showdown-at-eldora-review. 
  17. ↑ (in en) Short Track Racing: Trading Paint - IGN, https://www.ign.com/games/short-track-racing-trading-paint, retrieved 2021-10-09 
  18. ↑ "Rugby League Live Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rugby-league-live-review/1900-6275242/. 
  19. ↑ "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars/. 
  20. ↑ "Truth or Lies Review". 29 September 2010. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/29/truth-or-lies-review. 
  21. ↑ "Truth or Lies for Xbox 360 - GameFAQs". https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/xbox360/996879-truth-or-lies. 
  22. ↑ "Prepare for Swashbuckling Adventure as Zoo Games Unveils Pirate Blast for Nintendo Wii™" (in en). 2011-01-19. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110119005412/en/Prepare-for-Swashbuckling-Adventure-as-Zoo-Games-Unveils-Pirate-Blast-for-Nintendo-Wii%E2%84%A2. 
  23. ↑ "Rugby League Live 2 Review". 26 October 2012. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/26/rugby-league-live-2-review. 
  24. ↑ "PlayStation Store Update" (in en-US). 2012-12-31. https://blog.playstation.com/2012/12/31/playstation-store-update-272/. 
  25. ↑ "The Drop: Week of August 12th 2013 New Releases" (in en-US). 2013-08-11. https://blog.playstation.com/2013/08/11/the-drop-week-of-august-12th-2013-new-releases/. 
  26. ↑ "The Drop: New PlayStation Games for 11/25/2014" (in en-US). 2014-11-23. https://blog.playstation.com/2014/11/23/the-drop-new-playstation-games-for-11252014/. 
  27. ↑ "Rugby League Live 3 Review". IGN. 15 September 2015. https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/15/rugby-league-live-3-review. 
  28. ↑ "Tabletop Cricket | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/tabletop-cricket/. 
  29. ↑ "Big Bash Cricket | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/big-bash-2016/. 
  30. ↑ "Don Bradman Cricket 17 – is back; bigger and better than ever!" (in en). https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/273856/Don_Bradman_Cricket_17_ndash_is_back_bigger_and_better%0Athan_ever.php. 
  31. ↑ "Jetpack Joyride arrives on PlayStation 4 | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/jetpack-joyride-arrives-on-playstation-4/. 
  32. ↑ Square, Push (2016-05-04). "Review: Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom (PS4)" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/masquerade_the_baubles_of_doom. 
  33. ↑ "Ashes Cricket | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/ashes-cricket/. 
  34. ↑ Mazique, Brian. "'AO International Tennis' Review: The Good, The Bad And The Bottom Line" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2018/05/08/ao-international-tennis-review-the-good-the-bad-and-the-bottom-line/. 
  35. ↑ "AO Tennis Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ao-tennis-review/1900-6416839/. 
  36. ↑ "Big Bash Boom | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/big-bash-boom/. 
  37. ↑ "Casey Powell Lacrosse 18 | Great Games". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/lacrosse/. 
  38. ↑ "Cricket 19 – The Official Game of the Ashes – OUT NOW – Big Ant Studios". https://www.bigant.com/cricket-19-the-official-game-of-the-ashes-coming-in-may/. 
  39. ↑ "Introducing AO Tennis 2". https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/ao-tennis-2/. 
  40. ↑ Square, Push (2021-07-28). "Review: Tennis World Tour 2 (PS4) - A Winner" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/tennis_world_tour_2. 
  41. ↑ Symons, Ross (17 March 2022). "Nintendo Switch #Cricket22 Update - there will be a revised date of 28 April 2022. The good news is the game has been manufactured, the bad news is that we are facing very long delays in shipping due to Covid, and units must be at retailers two weeks in advance of sale." (in en). https://twitter.com/rosssymons/status/1504333989154209792. 
  42. ↑ "Cricket 22 Announced, Includes Big Bash, The Hundred, and More". IGN. 6 October 2021. https://www.ign.com/articles/cricket-22-announced-includes-big-bash-the-hundred-and-more. 
  43. ↑ Reilly, Luke (2023-04-04). "Cricket 24 Announced, Will Include ‘More Licenses Than Any Cricket Game Ever’" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/cricket-24-announced-will-include-more-licenses-than-any-cricket-game-ever. 
  44. ↑ "NACON Connect 2023: Lord of the Rings & more: All announcements at a glance". 10 March 2023. https://www.gamingdeputy.com/nacon-connect-2023-lord-of-the-rings-more-all-announcements-at-a-glance/. 
  45. ↑ "Rugby 24 game release date delay, platforms, and latest news" (in en-US). 2023-08-31. https://www.videogamer.com/guides/rugby-24-release-date/. 
  46. ↑ "Video game companies must start paying interns for fairness and good business" (in en). 2016-09-05. https://www.afr.com/technology/video-game-companies-must-start-paying-interns-for-fairness-and-good-business-20160826-gr23d4. 
  47. ↑ "Big Ant Studios Join The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association" (in en-AU). 2015-12-21. https://igea.net/2015/12/big-ant-studios-join-the-interactive-games-and-entertainment-association/. 
  48. ↑ Maxwell, Jini. "First Look at the Parliamentary Friends of Video Games" (in en-au). https://www.screenhub.com.au/news-article/news/digital/jini-maxwell/first-look-at-the-parliamentary-friends-of-video-games-261560. 
  49. ↑ "Welcome to our new members and welcome to 2021" (in en-AU). 2021-01-15. https://igea.net/2021/01/welcome-to-our-new-members-and-welcome-to-2021/. 
  50. ↑ "Big Ant becomes Platinum Partner". https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/586855/big-ant-becomes-platinum-partner. 

External links



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