Ross Symons
Ross Symons | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1966 (age 57–58) |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive; video game developer |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Big Ant Studios |
| Title | CEO, Big Ant Studios |
Ross Symons (born 1966) is an Australian video game developer, entrepreneur and author. Symons is known for books on the subject of computer programming.[1], and as the CEO of Big Ant Studios, a video game development company he founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2001.
Career
Author
Symons was first published in the 1970's when he authored books on the subjects of computer programming and video games for the BBC Micro, TRS80 and Commodore 64[2] and also collaborated with Tim Hartnell on a series of video game code books for early-era computers.[3]
Big Ant Studios
Symons founded Big Ant Studios in 2001. Based in Melbourne, Victoria, the company was initially focused on contract development for third party publishers, including The Legend of Spyro for Vivendi Games and racing titles such as World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars for THQ. Big Ant would later focus on creating simulations for sports such as Rugby League, Australian Football League, Cricket and Tennis.[4]
In January 2021 Ross sold Big Ant Studios to French publisher Nacon for €35m[5], with an agreement for him to stay on as CEO.[6]
Video Game Industry Advocacy
Symons was a board member of the Game Developers Association of Australia[7] and provided the original office space and funding for The Arcade, a not for profit office sharing space for video game developers, which resided in the Big Ant Studios offices in Melbourne.[8]
Symons has also been vocal in the media in support of the promotion of the video games industry as an employer and employee rights.[9] Symons has appeared on Australian news television[10] and has contributed columns on games industry trends and opportunities to national newspapers.[11] Symons is also a frequent participant in panels at consumer events in Australia, such as PAX Australia[12]
In January 2021, Symons was elected to the board of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA), the industry association for computer and video games in Australia and New Zealand.[13]
Acting as the industry representative for IGEA, Symons made a presentation on the games industry challenges and opportunities to the inaugural meeting of the Australian government's Parliamentary Friends of Video Games group.[14]
Video Game Credits
| Year | Title | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Sprint Cars: Road to Knoxville | PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows |
| 2006 | The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning | Game Boy Advance |
| 2007 | The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night | PlayStation 2, Wii |
| 2008 | Hellboy: The Science of Evil | PlayStation Portable |
| 2008 | Sprint Cars: Showdown at Eldora | PlayStation 2 |
| 2009 | Short Track Racing: Trading Paint | PlayStation 2 |
| 2010 | World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Rugby League Live | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows | |
| Truth or Lies | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii | |
| 2011 | Pirate Blast | Wii |
| AFL Live | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| 2012 | AFL Live: Game of the Year Edition | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows |
| Rugby League Live 2 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| Rugby League Live 2: Game of the Year Edition | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| Jetpack Joyride | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita | |
| 2013 | Fruit Ninja | PlayStation Vita |
| Rugby League Live 2: The World Cup Edition | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| 2014 | Don Bradman Cricket 14 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows |
| 2015 | Tabletop Cricket | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| Rugby League Live 3 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows | |
| 2016 | Casey Powell Lacrosse 16 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows | |
| Big Bash Cricket 2016 | Android, Tablet, Mobile | |
| Don Bradman Cricket 17 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows | |
| 2017 | Rugby League Live 4 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| Ashes Cricket | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows | |
| Big Bash Cricket | Android, iOS | |
| 2018 | Casey Powell Lacrosse 18 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows |
| AO Tennis | Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Big Bash Boom | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows | |
| AO International Tennis | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows | |
| 2019 | Cricket 19 | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| 2020 | AO Tennis 2 | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Tennis World Tour 2 | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
References
- ^ Symons, Ross (1984). First steps in machine code on the Commodore 64. London: Corgi. ISBN 978-0-552-99128-5. OCLC 12513238.
- ^ Your 64 Megabasic:extended BASIC for the Commodore 64, retrieved 2021-01-26
- ^ Realm of the Undead from the book "Giant Book of Games for Your Commodore 64", retrieved 2021-01-26
- ^ "MobyGames Ross Symons Credits". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ Nacon Acquires AO Tennis, Cricket 19 Developer Big Ant - IGN, retrieved 2021-02-03
- ^ "Aussie video game company bought by French studio for $55m". AFR. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "New leadership for Aussie games industry". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "The Arcade". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Video game companies must start paying interns for fairness and good business". Australian Financial Review. 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- ^ "James Daggar-Nickson Sky News Business interview with Ross Symons, CEO Big Ant Studios, Technology Behind Business - 2.30pm, Monday 29 May 2017". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Government risks missing out on $159b video games opportunity". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ ago, Shannon Grixti1 year (2019-10-11). "Come See Us At Pax Today And Win Some Awesome Games". Press Start. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Welcome to our new members and welcome to 2021". IGEA. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
- ^ Maxwell, Jini. "First Look at the Parliamentary Friends of Video Games". screenhub Australia. Retrieved 2021-01-31.