Big Ant Studios

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”.

The studio's first sports game was Rugby League title Rugby League Live, released in 2010, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The studio has since gone to make further Rugby League games, as well as Australian Rules Football, cricket, lacrosse and tennis titles.

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

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

Games developed

Advocacy

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

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

Notes

References

References

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42. 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.".
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51. (2021-01-15). "Welcome to our new members and welcome to 2021".
52. (23 April 2020). "Big Ant becomes Platinum Partner".