Ross Symons

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.

Ross Symons
Born1966 (age 54–55)
OccupationBusiness executive; video game developer
Known forFounder and CEO of Big Ant Studios
TitleCEO, Big Ant Studios

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
  1. Symons, Ross (1984). First steps in machine code on the Commodore 64. London: Corgi. ISBN 978-0-552-99128-5. OCLC 12513238.
  2. Your 64 Megabasic:extended BASIC for the Commodore 64, retrieved 2021-01-26
  3. Realm of the Undead from the book "Giant Book of Games for Your Commodore 64", retrieved 2021-01-26
  4. "MobyGames Ross Symons Credits". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  5. Nacon Acquires AO Tennis, Cricket 19 Developer Big Ant - IGN, retrieved 2021-02-03
  6. "Aussie video game company bought by French studio for $55m". AFR. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  7. "New leadership for Aussie games industry". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  8. "The Arcade". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  9. "Video game companies must start paying interns for fairness and good business". Australian Financial Review. 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  10. "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.
  11. "Government risks missing out on $159b video games opportunity". Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  12. ago, Shannon Grixti1 year (2019-10-11). "Come See Us At Pax Today And Win Some Awesome Games". Press Start. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  13. "Welcome to our new members and welcome to 2021". IGEA. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  14. Maxwell, Jini. "First Look at the Parliamentary Friends of Video Games". screenhub Australia. Retrieved 2021-01-31.


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