Big Ant Studios Explained

Big Ant Studios Pty Ltd
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Founder:Ross Symons
Hq Location City:Melbourne
Hq Location Country:Australia
Key People:Ross Symons (CEO)
Num Employees:95
Parent:Nacon (2021–present)

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, AFL 23,[2] Cricket 24 and the upcoming Rugby 25 and TIEBREAK: 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”.[3]

The studio's first sports game was Australian rules football title AFL Live, released in 2011, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The studio has since gone to make further Australian rules football games, as well as rugby league, cricket, lacrosse[4] and tennis[5] titles.

In January 2021, French video game publisher Nacon acquired Big Ant for €35 million.[6] 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.[7]

In April 2023, Big Ant opened a second studio in Adelaide.[8]

Games developed

!Year!Title!Platform(s)!Publisher!Notes!Ref
2006Sprint Cars: Road to KnoxvilleMicrosoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2THQ[9]
Game Boy AdvanceVivendi Universal GamesDeveloped with Krome Studios[10]
2007PlayStation 2, Wii[11]
2008PlayStation PortableKonami[12]
Sprint Cars 2: Showdown at EldoraPlayStation 2THQ[13]
2009Short Track Racing: Trading Paint
2010Rugby League LiveMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Tru Blu Entertainment[14]
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360THQ[15]
Truth or LiesPlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360[16] [17]
2011AFL LiveMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Tru Blu Entertainment
Pirate BlastWiiZoo Games[18]
2012Rugby League Live 2iOS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Tru Blu Entertainment[19]
Jetpack JoyridePlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaBig Ant StudiosPort[20]
2013Fruit NinjaPlayStation Vita[21]
2014Don Bradman Cricket 14Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox OneTru Blu Entertainment
Jetpack Joyride DeluxePlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaBig Ant StudiosPort[22]
2015Rugby League Live 3Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox OneTru Blu Entertainment[23]
TableTop CricketMicrosoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Big Ant Studios[24]
2016Big Bash CricketAndroid, iOSCricket Australia[25]
Casey Powell Lacrosse 16Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneBig Ant Studios
Don Bradman Cricket 17PlayStation 4, Xbox OneTru Blu Entertainment[26]
Jetpack JoyridePlayStation 4Big Ant StudiosPort[27]
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One[28]
2017Ashes CricketPlayStation 4, Xbox One[29]
Rugby League Live 4Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneTru Blu Entertainment
2018AO International TennisBig Ant Studios[30]
AO TennisAndroid, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One[31]
Big Bash BoomMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One[32]
Casey Powell Lacrosse 18Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One[33]
2019Cricket 19Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One[34]
2020AO Tennis 2Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneNacon[35]
Tennis World Tour 2[36]
2021The Hundred MobileAndroid, iOS[37]
Cricket 22Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SThe Nintendo Switch release was delayed to April 2022[38] [39]
2023AFL 23Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Cricket 24Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S[40]
Tiebreak: Official Game of the ATP and WTAMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S[41]
2024Rugby 25[42]

Advocacy

Symons opined in a 2016 Australian Financial Review piece that interns should be properly compensated for their work.[43] Big Ant Studios joined the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) in December 2015.[44] Symons made a presentation on the games industry challenges and opportunities to the Australian government's new Parliamentary Friends of Video Games group.[45] In 2021 Symons was added to the IGEA's board of directors.[46]

Big Ant Studios sponsors the women's team at the Carlton Football Club.[47]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017-07-17. Rugby League Live 4 Review – Improvements All Round. 2021-01-26. Press Start. en-US.
  2. Web site: Cellini . Aidan . 2023-05-06 . AFL23 game: Release date, price, consoles, team ratings, player ratings, modes, commentators . 2023-05-06 . . en-gb.
  3. Web site: Byrne. Seamus. 2020-05-14. Ross Symons, Big Ant Studios. 2021-10-09. Byteside. en-AU.
  4. News: 29 February 2016. Casey Powell Lacrosse 16 Video Game Set For March Release. Inside Lacrosse. 9 October 2021.
  5. Web site: Square. Push. 2017-12-05. AO Tennis Takes a Shot at PS4 in Time for the Australian Open. 2021-10-09. Push Square. en-GB.
  6. Web site: 22 January 2021. Nacon Acquires AO Tennis, Cricket 19 Developer Big Ant. IGN.
  7. Web site: 27 April 2022 . Big Ant Studios turbocharges plans to become the world's largest sport games developer . 2022-05-07 . www.austrade.gov.au . en.
  8. Web site: Tran . Edmond . 2023-04-06 . Big Ant opens new studio in South Australia . 2023-04-06 . GamesHub . en-AU.
  9. Web site: 29 July 2006. Sprint Cars: Road to Knoxville Review. live. 9 October 2021. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725043329/http://www.ign.com:80/articles/2006/07/29/sprint-cars-road-to-knoxville-review . 25 July 2018 .
  10. Web site: The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Review. 2021-10-09. GameSpot. en-US.
  11. Web site: 20 November 2007. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Review. live. 9 October 2021. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223213845/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/20/the-legend-of-spyro-the-eternal-night-review . 23 February 2014 .
  12. Web site: 28 June 2008. Hellboy: The Science of Evil Review. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109040819/http://www.ign.com:80/articles/2008/06/27/hellboy-the-science-of-evil-review-3. 9 November 2013. 9 October 2021. IGN.
  13. Web site: 11 April 2008. Sprint Cars 2: Showdown at Eldora Review. live. 9 October 2021. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20151025105144/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/10/sprint-cars-2-showdown-at-eldora-review . 25 October 2015 .
  14. Web site: Rugby League Live Review. 2021-10-09. GameSpot. en-US.
  15. Web site: World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  16. Web site: 29 September 2010. Truth or Lies Review. live. 9 October 2021. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309020743/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/29/truth-or-lies-review . 9 March 2014 .
  17. Web site: Truth or Lies for Xbox 360 - GameFAQs . 2024-01-13 . gamefaqs.gamespot.com.
  18. Web site: 2011-01-19. Prepare for Swashbuckling Adventure as Zoo Games Unveils Pirate Blast for Nintendo Wii™. 2021-10-09. www.businesswire.com. en.
  19. Web site: 26 October 2012. Rugby League Live 2 Review. live. 9 October 2021. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20121029063653/http://www.ign.com:80/articles/2012/10/26/rugby-league-live-2-review . 29 October 2012 .
  20. Web site: 2012-12-31. PlayStation Store Update. 2021-10-09. PlayStation.Blog. en-US.
  21. Web site: 2013-08-11. The Drop: Week of August 12th 2013 New Releases. 2021-10-09. PlayStation.Blog. en-US.
  22. Web site: 2014-11-23. The Drop: New PlayStation Games for 11/25/2014. 2021-10-09. PlayStation.Blog. en-US.
  23. News: 15 September 2015. Rugby League Live 3 Review. IGN. 9 October 2021.
  24. Web site: Tabletop Cricket Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  25. Web site: Big Bash Cricket Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  26. Web site: Don Bradman Cricket 17 – is back; bigger and better than ever!. 2021-10-09. www.gamasutra.com. en.
  27. Web site: Jetpack Joyride arrives on PlayStation 4 Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  28. Web site: Square. Push. 2016-05-04. Review: Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom (PS4). 2021-10-09. Push Square. en-GB.
  29. Web site: Ashes Cricket Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  30. Web site: Mazique. Brian. 'AO International Tennis' Review: The Good, The Bad And The Bottom Line. 2021-10-09. Forbes. en.
  31. Web site: AO Tennis Review. 2021-10-09. GameSpot. en-US.
  32. Web site: Big Bash Boom Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  33. Web site: Casey Powell Lacrosse 18 Great Games. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  34. Web site: Cricket 19 – The Official Game of the Ashes – OUT NOW – Big Ant Studios. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  35. Web site: Introducing AO Tennis 2. 2021-10-09. www.bigant.com.
  36. Web site: Square. Push. 2021-07-28. Review: Tennis World Tour 2 (PS4) - A Winner. 2021-10-09. Push Square. en-GB.
  37. BigAntStudios. 1425724529452589063. Play The Hundred on mobile now! For FREE! Cricket fans, have we got a surprise for you! The official @ECB_cricket The Hundred game is now on your mobile platform of choice. Grab it now - just search for "The Hundred Game" in your applicable App Store!. Big Ant Studios.
  38. Web site: 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. . 2022-04-17 . Twitter . en.
  39. News: 6 October 2021. Cricket 22 Announced, Includes Big Bash, The Hundred, and More. IGN. 9 October 2021.
  40. Web site: Reilly . Luke . 2023-04-04 . Cricket 24 Announced, Will Include 'More Licenses Than Any Cricket Game Ever' . 2023-04-09 . . en.
  41. Web site: 10 March 2023 . NACON Connect 2023: Lord of the Rings & more: All announcements at a glance . Gamingdeputy.
  42. Web site: 2023-08-31 . Rugby 24 game release date delay, platforms, and latest news . 2023-10-29 . VideoGamer.com . en-US.
  43. Web site: 2016-09-05. Video game companies must start paying interns for fairness and good business. 2021-01-31. Australian Financial Review. en.
  44. Web site: 2015-12-21. Big Ant Studios Join The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association. 2021-01-31. IGEA. en-AU.
  45. Web site: Maxwell. Jini. First Look at the Parliamentary Friends of Video Games. 2021-01-31. screenhub Australia. 3 December 2020 . en-au.
  46. Web site: 2021-01-15. Welcome to our new members and welcome to 2021. 2021-01-31. IGEA. en-AU.
  47. Web site: Big Ant becomes Platinum Partner. 2021-01-31. www.carltonfc.com.au. 23 April 2020 .

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