In the course of gaming, most players have knowingly or unknowingly come across a game developed by an Australian. Some famous games from Australia include Fruit Ninja and Monster’s Cult of Lamb.
This article will highlight the success stories of some Australian game developers and give you a glimpse into their world. Keep reading to gain more insights.
Defiant Development
If you love action-packed games, this development studio has got you covered. Defiant Development Studio was founded in 2010 by Morgan Jaffit and Kim Allom. Based in Brisbane, Australia, this developer received traction for consolidating action RPG features with card games.
Hand of Fates is the game that placed them on the map. Its gameplay features cards representing materials, encounters, and various scenarios. These cards are drawn in real-time as gamers tour the dungeons and face obstacles.
This game won several awards, including the Australian Game Developer Awards 2015 and the Indie Prize Awards 2016 under the best game design award.
The Voxel Agents
This group was created in 2009 by Simon Joslin, Matthew Clark, and Tom Killen. They gained popularity for creating stunning mobile games. Some outstanding game features that boosted their popularity include accessibility, exquisite art, and honing in on offering quality gaming experience.
Their most popular game title is the Train Conductor Series. Its gameplay features constitute players controlling train traffic by drawing train tracks. Its difficulty levels yet simple mechanics gained the game a popular title in the gaming space.
Halfbrick Studios
This development studio was established in 2001 by Stephen and Laurence Watts. Though they began working on licensed titles, they gained worldwide recognition when they launched their hit mobile game, Fruit Ninja.
Slot Games Evolving from Halfbrick Studios Games
Most of the games manufactured by Halfbrick Studios were so well received that online slot variations began popping up. Let’s review some examples.
Fruit Ninja Go
This game features a vibrant theme and is based on the popular title Fruit Ninja. Its theme features fruits that players align to win the jackpot. Enthusiasts can play this title in several minimum deposit casinos.
Jetpack Joyride
This game is a classic for adventure lovers. It features a man maneuvering obstacles with a jetpack strapped to his back. The slot version incorporates certain elements in the original game, making it exciting.
Team Cherry
Situated in Adelaide, South Australia, Team Cherry is an independent game development studio created by William Pellen and Ari Gibson. When talking indie, Metroidvania-style games, you can’t fail to mention their greatest creation, Hollow Knight.
This 2D action adventure game placed the team in the spotlight. Their creation was highly acclaimed due to its callous yet rewarding gameplay, intricate world design, and hand-drawn art style. It sold millions of copies and garnered numerous rewards, including several titles at the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards.
The founders, knowledgeable in the animation sector, combined their genius and created this marvelous game. Currently, they are working on releasing the highly anticipated sequel to Hollow Knight, Hollow Knight: Silksong.
League of Geeks
Blake Mizzi, Lisy Kane, and Trent Kusters were the geniuses behind the formation of this development studio based in Melbourne, Australia. This team developed a unique theoretical view of game design that integrated strategy, RPG elements, and a touch of board games.
Compared to most traditional titles, games created by the League of Geeks have a visually superior element that captivates players. Their most famous invention is Armello. This digital board game features several components, including RPG and card games.
In this game, players assume characters of anthropomorphic animal hero descent and battle for the throne on the magical land. Its stunning artwork gave it significant traction in the gaming niche. Furthermore, its engagement and quality visuals also saw to it that it won several awards, placing the developers on the map.
House House
House House development studio in Melbourne, Australia, was founded by a core team that included Nico Disseldorp, Stuart Gillespie-Cook, Jacob Strasser, and Michael McMaster.
Incorporating humor in their games is one of the most unique features that gives them an edge. They veer away from the traditional gaming conventions and ensure gamers enjoy and get a good laugh when they play.
Their most famous creation is the Untitled Goose Game, which features a naughty goose that wreaks havoc in an English town. Due to its humor and smooth sandbox gameplay, it quickly became a favorite among gaming enthusiasts.
SMG Studio
Snowed In Studios Melbourne Group, popularly abbreviated as SMG, was established in 2013 by a group of developers, including Ashley Ringrose, Alexander Wilkinson, and Matt Ditton. The group created a diverse range of games.
They are popular for creating games across mobile devices, PCs, and gaming consoles. A minimal learning curve characterizes their games and emphasizes multiplayer engagement. With smooth gameplay mechanics and enhanced social interaction features, these games suit casual and hardcore competitive settings.
One of their most notable creations is Death Squared, a puzzle game where players must guide robots through complex, fatal puzzles. Another honorable mention is the game Moving Out. Here, players cooperate to load and ship off furniture while navigating challenging scenes. Both games are highly acclaimed and have garnered several awards.
Conclusion
Several game developers in Australia have contributed to the furtherance of the industry. Some of the games created by these geniuses served as their golden ticket to success. Some of these highly acclaimed developers include the League of Geeks and Defiant Development.
