Lemon Sky Studios Explained

Lemon Sky Studios
Type:Private
Industry:Art Outsourcing, game development, 3D animation
Foundation:2006
Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key People:Cheng-Fei Wong, Ken Foong
Num Employees:500

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, , , , , 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.

Organization

Lemon Sky's production team is made up of over 450 artists and production staff.[3]

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

2008

2010

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Video game projects

[17] [18]

!Title!Release Year!Developer!Publisher
Go Vacation2011Bandai Namco EntertainmentNintendo, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
The Sims FreePlay2011Maxis, Firemonkeys Studios, EA Mobile, Blue Tongue EntertainmentElectronic Arts
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed2012Sumo DigitalSEGA
SimCity2013MaxisElectronic Arts
Shadow of the Eternals2013Quantum EntanglementQuantum Entanglement
War of Legions2013AteamAteam
Outrace2013Yubi GamesYubi Games
2013Machine ZoneMachine Zone
FIFA 142013Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
NBA 2K1420132K Sports2K Sports
2013Infinity WardActivision
Dead Rising 32013CapcomMicrosoft Studios
2014CapcomCapcom
2014Project SoulBandai Namco
Omega Quintet2014Idea FactoryIdea Factory, Compile Heart
Dark Souls II2014FromSoftwareBandai Namco
2014San Diego StudioSony Computer Entertainment
NBA 2K152014Visual Concepts2K Sports
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin2015FromSoftwareBandai Namco
Bloodborne2015FromSoftwareSony Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward2015Square EnixSquare Enix
World of Tanks2015WargamingWargaming
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition2015The Coalition, Epic GamesMicrosoft Studios
Tales of Zestiria2015Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
NBA 2K162015Visual Concepts2K Sports
WWE 2K162016Yuke's2K Games
Need for Speed: Edge2015EA KoreaTencent, Nexon, Nexon Korea
Disney Magical World 22015Bandai NamcoNintendo, Bandai Namco
Big Bang Galaxy2015Ateam Inc.Ateam Inc.
Vega Conflict2015KIXEYEKIXEYE
Dark Souls III2016FromSoftwareFromSoftware
NBA 2K172016Visual Concepts Entertainment2K Sports
Valkyrie Connect2016Ateam Inc.Ateam Inc.
Pirates: Treasure Hunters2016Virtual ToysVirtual Toys
Tales of Berseria2016Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
WWE 2K172016Visual Concepts, Yukes2K Sports
Gears of War 42016The CoalitionMicrosoft Studios
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization2016AquriaBandai Namco
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare2016Infinity WardActivision
Dead Rising 42016CapcomMicrosoft Studios, Capcom
Gravity Rush 22017Project Siren, Sony Interactive EntertainmentSony Interactive Entertainment
Tales of Berseria2017Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
Mario Sports Superstars2017Bandai Namco, Camelot Software PlanningNintendo
MLB The Show 172017San Diego StudioSony Interactive Entertainment
The Elder Scrolls: Legends2017Dire Wolf Digital, Sparkypants StudiosBethesda Softworks
Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire2017Machine ZoneMachine Zone, Epic Action LLC
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood2017Square EnixSquare Enix
Tekken 72017Bandai Namco StudiosBandai Namco Entertainment
StarCraft: Remastered2017Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy2017Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K182017Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Sports
Marvel's Spider-Man2018Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K192018Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Games, 2K Sports
(Nintendo Switch)2018Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Mist Gears2018Tri-AceAlim Co.Ltd.
The Grand Tour Game2019Amazon Game StudiosAmazon Game Studios, Heavy Iron Studios
Anthem2019BioWare, Bioware Austin LLCElectronic Arts
Mortal Kombat 112019NetherRealm Studios, Shiver Entertainment, QLOC, ShiverWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers2019Square EnixSquare Enix
Teppen2019GungHo OnlineGungHo Online
Gears 52019The CoalitionXbox Game Studios
WWE 2K202019Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Games, 2K Sports
Warcraft III: Reforged[19] 2020Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Resident Evil: Resistance[20] 2020Capcom, NeoBards Entertainment Ltd.Capcom
Final Fantasy VII Remake[21] 2020Square EnixSquare Enix
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection[22] 2020Lemon Sky Studios, Petroglyph GamesElectronic Arts
The Last of Us Part II2020Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
Wasteland 32020inXile EntertainmentinXile Entertainment
Marvel's Avengers2020Crystal DynamicsSquare Enix
Baldur's Gate III2020Larian Studios NVLarian Studios NV
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit - Remastered2020Stellar Entertainment SoftwareElectronic Arts
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales2020Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment America
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered2020Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment America
Demon's Souls2020Bluepoint GamesSony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio
Marvel Strike Force2021ScopelyScopely
Overwatch 22021Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition2021Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
2021Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment
Diablo II: Resurrected2021Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes2022Intelligent Systems, Omega ForceNintendo
Rumbleverse2022Iron GalaxyEpic Games
Saints Row2022Volition Deep Silver
The Last of Us Part 12022Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
Gundam Evolution2022Bandai Namco OnlineBandai Namco Entertainment
Star Ocean: The Divine Force2022tri-Ace Square Enix
Warlander2023ToylogicPlaion
Forspoken2023Luminous ProductionsSquare Enix
Hi-Fi Rush2023Tango GameworksBethesda Softworks
The Settlers: New Allies2023Ubisoft Düsseldorf Ubisoft
Wild Hearts2023Omega Force Electronic Arts
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty2023Team Ninja Koei Tecmo
The Sandbox2023TSB Gaming TSB Gaming 
Monopoly Go2023ScopelyScopely
Redfall2023Arkane AustinBethesda Softworks
Street Fighter 62023CapcomCapcom
Final Fantasy XVI2023Square EnixSquare Enix
Exoprimal2023CapcomCapcom
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon2023FromSoftwareFromSoftware, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Baldur's Gate 32023Larian StudiosLarian Studios
Marvel’s Spider-Man 22023Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment

Animation projects

TitleRelease YearPublisher
Buzzy Bee and Friends2009TV 2 (New Zealand)
Surfer Girl2013Surfer Girl
Sydney Sailboat2014ABC 4 Kids (Australia), 3e (Ireland), Tiny Pop (UK), Raydar Media
TruckTown2014Treehouse TV (Canada), Tiny Pop (UK)
Gummandos2015Spin Master
Pumpkin Reports2015Nickelodeon, Qubo, Rai Gulp
Future-Worm!2016Disney
Ocean Groove with Maestro Ning2018Genting
AstroLOLogy2018Lemon Sky Animation
Tinpo2018American Greetings Entertainment
2019Toei Animation
Middle School Moguls2019Nickelodeon
Spookadilly2019Genting
Big City Greens2020Disney
Santiago of the Seas2020Nickelodeon
Battle Kitty2022Netflix
Not Quite Narwhal2023
2023The Pokémon Company
Playdate with Winnie The Pooh2023Disney 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.[23] The higher-ups allegedly used passive-aggressive methods to pressure Lemon Sky artists to work overtime. 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".[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd. MobyGames. 2020-04-28. 2021-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725011814/https://www.mobygames.com/company/lemon-sky-animation-sdn-bhd. live.
  2. Web site: Trucktown. 2020-06-04. Lemon Sky Studios. en-US. 2020-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20200307211003/https://www.lemonskystudios.com/projects/trucktown/. live.
  3. Web site: Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer The Star. www.thestar.com.my. 2020-05-14. 2020-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20200602053626/https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2018/11/15/malaysian-studio-working-on-command-conquer-remaster. live.
  4. Web site: Igloo Digital Arts Sdn Bhd .
  5. Web site: Project Timeline .
  6. Web site: About Us .
  7. Web site: Bandai Namco Singapore and Lemon Sky signs MoU .
  8. Web site: Malaysian CGI Animation Studio Lemon Sky Celebrates 10 Years .
  9. Web site: Malaysia Focus: A Look 3 Animation IPs That Reveal The Country’s Burgeoning Creative Talent .
  10. Web site: Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer .
  11. Web site: Paying tribute to the nation’s top exporters .
  12. Web site: AstroLOLogy Celebrates 1 Million Subscribers! .
  13. Web site: Australian game publisher buys over Lemon Sky Studios, for RM135mil .
  14. Web site: Export Excellence Awards .
  15. Web site: Metal Genesis Has Landed! .
  16. News: Export Excellence Awards 2022 Winners . The Star.
  17. Web site: Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd. MobyGames. 2020-05-05. 2021-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725011814/https://www.mobygames.com/company/lemon-sky-animation-sdn-bhd. live.
  18. Web site: Project Timeline. Lemon Sky Studios. en-US. 2020-05-13. 2020-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20200202200654/https://www.lemonskystudios.com/project-timeline/. live.
  19. Web site: Lemon Sky's eventful journey together with Blizzard in 'reforging' "Warcraft III". Facebook. January 28, 2020. October 18, 2021.
  20. Web site: 2020-04-16. Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Helped Bring Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil Resistance To Life. 2020-05-13. IGN Southeast Asia. en-sg. 2020-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20200502014735/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. live.
  21. Web site: meckronos. 2020-04-15. Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Contributed On Final Fantasy VII Remake And Resident Evil Resistance. 2020-05-13. Gamer Matters. en-US. 2020-05-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20200529032817/https://gamermatters.com/malaysias-lemon-sky-studios-contributed-on-final-fantasy-vii-remake-and-resident-evil-resistance/. live.
  22. Web site: Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer The Star. 2020-05-13. www.thestar.com.my. 2020-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20200602053626/https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2018/11/15/malaysian-studio-working-on-command-conquer-remaster. live.
  23. Web site: 2021-03-05. Southeast Asia's Lemon Sky & Brandoville Studios Allegedly Put Its Artists Through Unpaid Crunch [Update] KAKUCHOPUREI.COM]. 2021-12-07. kakuchopurei.com. en-US. 2021-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725015508/https://kakuchopurei.com/2021/03/05/southeast-asias-lemon-sky-brandoville-studios-allegedly-put-its-artists-through-unpaid-crunch/. live.
  24. Web site: Dale. Bashir. 2021-03-08. Malaysian CGI Art Studio Lemon Sky Denies Allegations Staff Undergo Crunch Without Pay. 2021-12-07. IGN Southeast Asia. en-sg. 2021-07-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210726010854/https://sea.ign.com/sea-indie-games/169526/news/malaysian-cgi-art-studio-lemon-sky-denies-allegations-staff-undergo-crunch-without-pay. live.