One of Australia’s largest game developers will launch a local recruitment drive after opening its first South Australian studio on Franklin Street.
Founded in 2001 and acquired by French digital gaming giant Nacon in 2021, Big Ant Studios is a leading developer in gaming across some of the world’s major sporting codes.
Big Ant Studios aims to employ 60 people in South Australia across roles such as junior artists, programmers, senior engineers and AI programmers. A graduate training program will also be established later this year.
Big Ant Studios’ impressive portfolio extends to Cricket 22, AO Tennis 2, Big Bash Boom and Rugby League Live 4.
The globally renowned studio has other major sports games in development, including Cricket 24 and the 2023 Rugby World Cup game, and holds numerous key global sports licences for video game adaption as it looks to expand.
The company has expanded its footprint by adding a studio on Franklin Street, in the heart of Adelaide – supporting its headquarters in Southbank, Melbourne, citing South Australia’s growing games sector, its development ecosystem and the nation’s first video games rebate as drawcards.
The opening of the new Franklin Street Office coincides with the launch of its flagship game in the Australian market, AFL 23, on 13 April as AFL’s 2023 Season Gather Round commences, a major event secured by the Malinauskas Labor Government late last year.
AFL 23 is fully licensed and features all AFL and AFLW teams along with the AFL Gather Round, which will for the first time see South Australian grounds, The Parade, Norwood, Summit Sports Park at Mount Barker as well the iconic Adelaide Oval – included in the game.
AFL 23 will allow gamers from around the world to experience South Australia in their own homes, exposing the State’s regions to an international audience and fuelling tourism opportunities.
Big Ant Studios’ decision to establish its second national office in Adelaide is testament to the State’s video games rebate, which enables games studios to claim a 10 per cent rebate on costs incurred and has since been replicated interstate.
The scheme complements the State’s Landing Pad program, which supports companies looking to establish in SA.
Securing globally recognised companies such as Big Ant Studios continues to underpin the strength of the games sector in South Australia, which has more than doubled its economic contribution to the State between 2017 and 2018 as well as 2019 and 20. Then employing 286 FTEs, and contributing $36.2 million in Industry Gross Value Added with $45.3 million of turnover or exports, according to latest available data.
More information on South Australia’s world-class video game ecosystem can be found here.
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