Company:Lemon Sky Studios

From HandWiki
Short description: Malaysian animation company
Lemon Sky Studios
TypePrivate
IndustryArt Outsourcing, game development, 3D animation
Founded2006
HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key people
Cheng-Fei Wong, Ken Foong
Number of employees
500
Websitelemonskystudios.com

Lemon Sky Studios is a computer-generated imagery studio that produces art for animation and video game titles, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company is best known for outsourcing computer animation and art project for major video game titles such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil, Warcraft III, StarCraft, Uncharted, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Gears of War 5.[1] The studio also involved in animation series such as TruckTown[2] and Nickelodeon's Middle School Moguls.[3]

Organization

Lemon Sky's production team is made up of over 450 artists and production staff.[4]

The studio's headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with an additional branch located in the city of Penang.

The studio's founders, Cheng-Fei Wong and Ken Foong, currently act as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer of the studio respectively.

Milestones

2006

  • Founders Cheng-Fei Wong and Ken Foong establish their first game art studio, Igloo Digital Arts.[5] The studio becomes the first Malaysian company to work on in-game assets.

2008

  • The studio contributes work to its first AAA game project, Afro Samurai, and its first TV animation project, Buzzy Bee.[6]

2010

  • Igloo Digital Arts is restructured and officially renamed Lemon Sky. [7]

2014

  • Lemon Sky signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Bandai Namco Malaysia to facilitate development of future games. [8]

2015

  • Lemon Sky launches a second studio in Penang under the name of Lemon Sky North.

2017

  • Lemon Sky celebrates its 10-year anniversary with Hello Lemon Sky, an event inviting the public to visit the studio and learn from experienced artists. [9]

2018

  • Lemon Sky debuts AstroLOLogy, its first original animation IP. [10]
  • Electronic Arts announces its partnership with Lemon Sky on Command & Conquer Remastered Collection. [11]

2019

  • Lemon Sky wins Exporter of the Year and Gold Awards for the Services (Mid-Tier) Category in the Export Excellence Awards 2019.[12]

2020

  • As part of its rapid expansion, Lemon Sky moves to its new headquarters in UOA Business Park.

2021

  • AstroLOLogy gains 1 million subscribers on YouTube. [13]
  • iCandy Interactive Ltd acquires Lemon Sky. [14]
  • Lemon Sky wins a Gold Award for the Services (Mid-Tier and Large) Category in the Export Excellence Awards 2021.[15]

2022

  • Lemon Sky receives its ISO 2700 certification.
  • Lemon Sky announces the development of its original video game IP, Metal Genesis.[16]
  • Lemon Sky wins a Gold Award for the Services (Mid-Tier and Large) Category in the Export Excellence Awards 2022. [17]

Video game projects

Sources[18][19]

Title Release Year Developer Publisher
Go Vacation 2011 Bandai Namco Entertainment Nintendo, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
The Sims FreePlay 2011 Maxis, Firemonkeys Studios, EA Mobile, Blue Tongue Entertainment Electronic Arts
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 2012 Sumo Digital SEGA
SimCity 2013 Maxis Electronic Arts
Shadow of the Eternals 2013 Quantum Entanglement Quantum Entanglement
War of Legions 2013 Ateam Ateam
Outrace 2013 Yubi Games Yubi Games
Game of War 2013 Machine Zone Machine Zone
FIFA 14 2013 Electronic Arts Electronic Arts
NBA 2K14 2013 2K Sports 2K Sports
Call of Duty 2013 Infinity Ward Activision
Dead Rising 3 2013 Capcom Microsoft Studios
Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition 2014 Capcom Capcom
Soulcalibur 2014 Project Soul Bandai Namco
Omega Quintet 2014 Idea Factory Idea Factory, Compile Heart
Dark Souls II 2014 FromSoftware Bandai Namco
MLB 14 2014 San Diego Studio Sony Computer Entertainment
NBA 2K15 2014 Visual Concepts 2K Sports
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin 2015 FromSoftware Bandai Namco
Bloodborne 2015 FromSoftware Sony Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward 2015 Square Enix Square Enix
World of Tanks 2015 Wargaming Wargaming
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition 2015 The Coalition, Epic Games Microsoft Studios
Tales of Zestiria 2015 Bandai Namco Bandai Namco
NBA 2K16 2015 Visual Concepts 2K Sports
WWE 2K16 2016 Yuke's 2K Games
Need for Speed: Edge 2015 EA Korea Tencent, Nexon, Nexon Korea
Disney Magical World 2 2015 Bandai Namco Nintendo, Bandai Namco
Big Bang Galaxy 2015 Ateam Inc. Ateam Inc.
Vega Conflict 2015 KIXEYE KIXEYE
Dark Souls III 2016 FromSoftware FromSoftware
NBA 2K17 2016 Visual Concepts Entertainment 2K Sports
Valkyrie Connect 2016 Ateam Inc. Ateam Inc.
Pirates: Treasure Hunters 2016 Virtual Toys Virtual Toys
Tales of Berseria 2016 Bandai Namco Bandai Namco
WWE 2K17 2016 Visual Concepts, Yukes 2K Sports
Gears of War 4 2016 The Coalition Microsoft Studios
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization 2016 Aquria Bandai Namco
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare 2016 Infinity Ward Activision
Dead Rising 4 2016 Capcom Microsoft Studios, Capcom
Gravity Rush 2 2017 Project Siren, Sony Interactive Entertainment Sony Interactive Entertainment
Tales of Berseria 2017 Bandai Namco Bandai Namco
Mario Sports Superstars 2017 Bandai Namco, Camelot Software Planning Nintendo
MLB The Show 17 2017 San Diego Studio Sony Interactive Entertainment
The Elder Scrolls: Legends 2017 Dire Wolf Digital, Sparkypants Studios Bethesda Softworks
Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire 2017 Machine Zone Machine Zone, Epic Action LLC
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood 2017 Square Enix Square Enix
Tekken 7 2017 Bandai Namco Studios Bandai Namco Entertainment
StarCraft: Remastered 2017 Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 2017 Naughty Dog Sony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K18 2017 Yuke's, Visual Concepts 2K Sports
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K19 2018 Yuke's, Visual Concepts 2K Games, 2K Sports
Diablo III: Eternal Collection (Nintendo Switch) 2018 Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment
Mist Gears 2018 Tri-Ace Alim Co.Ltd.
The Grand Tour Game 2019 Amazon Game Studios Amazon Game Studios, Heavy Iron Studios
Anthem 2019 BioWare, Bioware Austin LLC Electronic Arts
Mortal Kombat 11 2019 NetherRealm Studios, Shiver Entertainment, QLOC, Shiver Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers 2019 Square Enix Square Enix
Teppen 2019 GungHo Online GungHo Online
Gears 5 2019 The Coalition Xbox Game Studios
WWE 2K20 2019 Yuke's, Visual Concepts 2K Games, 2K Sports
Warcraft III: Reforged[20] 2020 Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment
Resident Evil: Resistance[21] 2020 Capcom, NeoBards Entertainment Ltd. Capcom
Final Fantasy VII Remake[22] 2020 Square Enix Square Enix
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection[23] 2020 Lemon Sky Studios, Petroglyph Games Electronic Arts
The Last of Us Part II 2020 Naughty Dog Sony Interactive Entertainment
Wasteland 3 2020 inXile Entertainment inXile Entertainment
Marvel's Avengers 2020 Crystal Dynamics Square Enix
Baldur's Gate III 2020 Larian Studios NV Larian Studios NV
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit - Remastered 2020 Stellar Entertainment Software Electronic Arts
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales 2020 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered 2020 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Demon's Souls 2020 Bluepoint Games Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio
Marvel Strike Force 2021 Scopely Scopely
Overwatch 2 2021 Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition 2021 Electronic Arts Electronic Arts
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 2021 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment
Diablo II: Resurrected 2021 Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes 2022 Intelligent Systems, Omega Force Nintendo
Rumbleverse 2022 Iron Galaxy Epic Games
Saints Row 2022 Volition  Deep Silver
The Last of Us Part 1 2022 Naughty Dog Sony Interactive Entertainment
Gundam Evolution 2022 Bandai Namco Online Bandai Namco Entertainment
Star Ocean: The Divine Force 2022 tri-Ace  Square Enix
Warlander 2023 Toylogic Plaion
Forspoken 2023 Luminous Productions Square Enix
Hi-Fi Rush 2023 Tango Gameworks Bethesda Softworks
The Settlers: New Allies 2023 Ubisoft Düsseldorf  Ubisoft
Wild Hearts 2023 Omega Force  Electronic Arts
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty 2023 Team Ninja  Koei Tecmo
The Sandbox 2023 TSB Gaming  TSB Gaming 
Monopoly Go 2023 Scopely Scopely
Redfall 2023 Arkane Austin Bethesda Softworks
Street Fighter 6 2023 Capcom Capcom
Final Fantasy XVI 2023 Square Enix Square Enix
Exoprimal 2023 Capcom Capcom
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon 2023 FromSoftware FromSoftware, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Baldur's Gate 3 2023 Larian Studios Larian Studios
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 2023 Insomniac Games Sony Interactive Entertainment

Animation projects

Title Release Year Publisher
Buzzy Bee and Friends 2009 TV 2 (New Zealand)
Surfer Girl 2013 Surfer Girl
Sydney Sailboat 2014 ABC 4 Kids (Australia), 3e (Ireland), Tiny Pop (UK), Raydar Media
TruckTown 2014 Treehouse TV (Canada), Tiny Pop (UK)
Gummandos 2015 Spin Master
Pumpkin Reports 2015 Nickelodeon, Qubo, Rai Gulp
Future-Worm! 2016 Disney
Ocean Groove with Maestro Ning 2018 Genting
AstroLoLogy 2018 Lemon Sky Animation
Tinpo 2018 American Greetings Entertainment
Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya 2019 Toei Animation
Middle School Moguls 2019 Nickelodeon
Spookadilly 2019 Genting
Big City Greens 2020 Disney
Santiago of the Seas 2020 Nickelodeon
Battle Kitty 2022 Netflix
Not Quite Narwhal 2023
Pokémon: Path to the Peak 2023 The Pokémon Company
Playdate with Winnie The Pooh 2023 Disney Junior

Controversies

In March 2021, game journalist Chris Bratt from People Make Games interviewed 19 current and former employee from Lemon Sky Studios and Indonesia-based animation studio Brandoville regarding working conditions. The testimonial from employees revealed that Lemon Sky Studios allegedly put its artists through unpaid overtime and had them work weekends to meet tight deadlines from triple-A clients.[24][25] The higher-ups allegedly used passive-aggressive methods to pressure Lemon Sky artists to work overtime.[24] Lemon Sky Studios denied the allegations as "factually and legally inaccurate" and "are surprised that such allegations are targeted at Lemon Sky", stating they abide all Malaysian employment laws. Lemon Sky Studios also stated they will "take appropriate measures in response", include "obtaining feedback from all of our employees regarding their individual concerns".[26]

References

  1. "Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd". https://www.mobygames.com/company/lemon-sky-animation-sdn-bhd. 
  2. "Trucktown" (in en-US). https://www.lemonskystudios.com/projects/trucktown/. 
  3. Middle School Moguls (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt9165454/fullcredits, retrieved 2020-04-28 
  4. "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer | The Star". https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2018/11/15/malaysian-studio-working-on-command-conquer-remaster. 
  5. "Igloo Digital Arts Sdn Bhd". https://www.mobygames.com/company/12294/igloo-digital-arts-sdn-bhd/. 
  6. "Project Timeline". https://www.lemonskystudios.com/project-timeline/. 
  7. "About Us". https://flystudio.my/about/. 
  8. "Bandai Namco Singapore and Lemon Sky signs MoU". https://liveatpc.com/bandai-namco-singapore-and-lemon-sky-signs-mou/. 
  9. "Malaysian CGI Animation Studio Lemon Sky Celebrates 10 Years". https://liveatpc.com/malaysian-cgi-animation-studio-lemon-sky-celebrates-10-years/. 
  10. "Malaysia Focus: A Look 3 Animation IPs That Reveal The Country’s Burgeoning Creative Talent". https://www.cartoonbrew.com/sponsored-by-mdec/malaysia-focus-a-look-3-animation-ips-that-reveal-the-countrys-burgeoning-creative-talent-199636.html. 
  11. "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer". https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2018/11/15/malaysian-studio-working-on-command-conquer-remaster. 
  12. "Paying tribute to the nation’s top exporters". https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/03/paying-tribute-to-the-nations-top-exporters. 
  13. "AstroLOLogy Celebrates 1 Million Subscribers!". https://www.lemonskystudios.com/news/astrolology-celebrates-1-million-subscribers/. 
  14. "Australian game publisher buys over Lemon Sky Studios, for RM135mil". https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2021/11/24/australian-game-publisher-buys-over-lemon-sky-studios-for-rm135mil. 
  15. "Export Excellence Awards". https://www.exportawards.com.my/winners2021.aspx. 
  16. "Metal Genesis Has Landed!". https://www.lemonskystudios.com/news/metal-genesis-has-landed/. 
  17. "Export Excellence Awards 2022 Winners". The Star. https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Content/StarPicks/Issues/DE814084-FCBA-4647-9786-0CB267444BCD.pdf. 
  18. "Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd". https://www.mobygames.com/company/lemon-sky-animation-sdn-bhd. 
  19. "Project Timeline" (in en-US). https://www.lemonskystudios.com/project-timeline/. 
  20. "Lemon Sky's eventful journey together with Blizzard in 'reforging' "Warcraft III"". January 28, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/lemonskystudios/photos/pb.200829113272354.-2207520000../2903819309639974. 
  21. "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Helped Bring Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil Resistance To Life" (in en-sg). 2020-04-16. https://sea.ign.com/final-fantasy-vii-remake/159613/news/malaysias-lemon-sky-studios-helped-bring-final-fantasy-vii-remake-and-resident-evil-resistance-to-li. 
  22. meckronos (2020-04-15). "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Contributed On Final Fantasy VII Remake And Resident Evil Resistance" (in en-US). https://gamermatters.com/malaysias-lemon-sky-studios-contributed-on-final-fantasy-vii-remake-and-resident-evil-resistance/. 
  23. "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer | The Star". https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2018/11/15/malaysian-studio-working-on-command-conquer-remaster. 
  24. 24.0 24.1 "Southeast Asia's Lemon Sky & Brandoville Studios Allegedly Put Its Artists Through Unpaid Crunch [Update | KAKUCHOPUREI.COM"] (in en-US). 2021-03-05. https://kakuchopurei.com/2021/03/05/southeast-asias-lemon-sky-brandoville-studios-allegedly-put-its-artists-through-unpaid-crunch/. 
  25. (in en) How Game Publishers Buy Crunch Overseas, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm7KUE1Kwts, retrieved 2021-12-07 
  26. Bashir, Dale (2021-03-08). "Malaysian CGI Art Studio Lemon Sky Denies Allegations Staff Undergo Crunch Without Pay" (in en-sg). https://sea.ign.com/sea-indie-games/169526/news/malaysian-cgi-art-studio-lemon-sky-denies-allegations-staff-undergo-crunch-without-pay.