The Australian Games Industry is growing, there is no doubt about that. With governments allocating more funds towards game developers, and more game specific courses becoming available, it's no wonder either. I find it interesting then that when you ask someone to name some games that were actually developed here in Australia, alot of people have a tough time coming up with a list. The response I got when I asked the question 'What are the Top 10 Games developed in Australia' on a number of Australian game forums was that Australia had produced a few games, but most of them were 'pretty crap'.
Of course, after doing a bit more research, and with alot of input from those very same forums, I was suprised to find that some of the better games that have been released lately were actually developed by Australians! So were many people. Basically, this list is to bring to light some of the more noteworthy games that have been created locally and were commercially and critically successful. It's also to try to let people know where credit is due, and that there is alot of talent in the Australian Games Industry.
10. Tribes Vengeance
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Developer: Irrational Games
Released: 05 October, 2004
System: PC
The ultimate high-flying, multiplayer battle experience returns with deadly new weapons, faster and more versatile flight, in-depth strategic team action and the first-ever Tribes single-player campaign. On a relentless quest for revenge, the warrior princess Julia must unravel a bloody mystery that threatens to destroy the Empire. Through the eyes of six different characters on multiple timelines, this exciting and new single-player campaign immerses you in all the violent history at the heart of the Tribes universe. |
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- Award for Best Game of 2004 - Tribes: Vengeance (AGD 2004)
- Award for Best PC Game - Tribes: Vengeance (AGD 2004)
- Award for Best Game Design - Tribes: Vengeance. Edward Orman (AGD 2004)
- Award for Best Level Design - Tribes: Vengeance Dean Tate (AGD 2004)
- IGN.com Editors Choice Award
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Developer Profile: Irrational Games
www.irrationalgames.com
IRRATIONAL GAMES is the award winning developer of System Shock II, Swat 4, and the Freedom Force games. Irrational Games has studios in Boston, MA and Canberra, Australia comprised of dedicated designers, programmers, artists and business facilitators.
Founded in 1997, Irrational Games is dedicated to bringing deep RPG and strategy games to both the PC and next-generation console markets. In the words of co-founder Ken Levine, "While continuing to deliver outstanding, content-rich PC titles, Irrational is now also poised to bring their unique sensibility to the world of console development." |
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9. Jurassic Park Operation Genesis
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Developer: Blue Tongue Software
Released: 21 March, 2003
System: PC, Xbox, PS2
Giving you the ability to bring dinosaurs to life in your very own theme park, this game gave people the 'John Hammond' complex by allowing them to run their very own Jurassic Park. Part Theme park sim and part Zoo Tycoon, not only did you have to work hard at keeping your visitors happy, but you also had to keep your dinosaurs in good health ... and make sure they stayed behind the electric fences. This was a great collaboration between Blue Tongue software and Vivendi Universal to create a game based on a well known movie license. |
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- Sold over 400,000 units worldwide
- Award for Best Game Audio Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis (AGDC 2003)
- Award for Best Level Design Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis (AGDC 2003)
- Award for Outstanding Visual Arts Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis (AGDC 2003)
- Award for Best Game for Next Generation Consoles Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis (AGDC 2003)
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Developer Profile: Blue Tongue Software
www.bluetongue.com
Founded on the 13th of October 1995, Blue Tongue Software is based in Melbourne. Other games they have developed include The Polar Express and Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy. They also created the first Aussie Rules football game back in 1996, AFL Finals Fever. In November 2004, THQ Inc. acquired Blue Tongue, making it the tenth internal development studio for the THQ group. Blue Tongue also has created a cross platform development engine and system known as TOSHI.
Upcoming games: Two titles based on licensed properties from Nickelodeon |
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8. Fallout Tactics: Botherhood of Steel
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Developer: MicroForte
Released: 15 March, 2001
System: PC
Fallout: Tactics is a squad-based, third person tactical combat game with RPG character development and a mission-based story line. It takes place in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the middle of North America. The player controls the main character as the leader of a squad of Brotherhood of Steel warriors. The squad consists of a maximum of six characters, including the main character.
Supporting both Turn-Based and Real-Time play through its Real-Time Actions System, the game also provided both multi-player and single-player gameplay. |
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- Sold over 300,000 units worldwide
- No.2 in the US sales charts
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Developer Profile: MicroForte
www.microforte.com
Micro Forte was founded in 1985 with the America's Cup licence for the eight-bit Commodore 64 as its first title. The company, which is one of the oldest and most respected games studios in Australia, has studios in both Sydney and Canberra. They were previously called Clockworks Entertainment.
Micro Forte currently are distributing their BigWorld Technology, which is a unique approach to massively multiplayer gaming that not only allows millions of people to play in the same world without sharding but also solves the challenges of typical online gaming: bandwidth, load balancing and level of detail.
Upcoming games: Citizen Zero |
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7. The Hobbit
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Developer: Beam Software / Melbourne House
Released: 1982
System: Commodore 64, PC, Apple II, Mac
This game was one of the first major games produced in Australia. It ended up being one of the most classic text adventures of all time; at least in Europe. The original game had a large vocabulary and very good character interaction for its time. It was probably the first time ever that such traits had been paired with graphics in any text adventure. In 1985 it was selected #1 in the magazine Sinclair User's Top 50 Spectrum Software Classics. |
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- Sold over 500,000 units worldwide
- No.1 best selling game through Europe at the time
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Developer Profile: Beam Software / Melbourne House
www.beam.com.au
Beam Software was the first electronic game company in Australia. Setup in Melbourne in the early 1980's, they went on to develop over 150 game titles, making it one of the most prolific game development companies in the world. It was the first game company ever to go public on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:BEM). Beam Software used their Melbourne House company as their publisher in the early days, until the name Beam was finally buried in when Infogrames purchased the two companies in 1999.
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6. Transformers Armada
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Developer: Melbourne House
Released: April 01, 2004
System: PS2
Transformers is a fast-paced, single-player, third-person action/combat game allowing players to control of Optimus Prime, Hot Shot and Red Alert across 8 different environments on Earth and Cybertron.
Features include 40 different kinds of mini-con upgrades, 20 assorted types weapons, and the ability to transform from vehicle to robot form. Released exclusively for PlayStation 2.
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- Award for Best Console Game : Transformers (AGD 2004)
- Award for Programming Excellence : Transformers (AGD 2004)
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Developer Profile: Melbourne House
www.melbournehouse.com
Formed in 1977 by Alfred Milgrom and Naomi Besen, the company exploited Milgrom's knowledge of computer science and Besen's marketing expertise to move them from being a general publishing company into one exclusively oriented around home computers. They came to world games prominence in 1982 with the legendary game The Hobbit. A slew of successful titles followed, with 'The Way of the Exploding Fist' selling over 500,000 units in Europe alone.
Melbourne House was bought by Masteronic in 1987, who was then bought by Virgin in 1988. Virgin renamed the lot to Virgin Interactive Entertainment, and it seemed that the Melbourne House name just disappeared. Beam Software, however, continued developement, and in 1997 relaunched the Melbourne House label. Infogrames acquired Beam/Melbourne house in 1999, and then in 2003 Infogrames Melbourne House became Atari Melbourne House.
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5. Destroy all Humans
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Developer: Pandemic Studios
Released: 17 June, 2005
System: PS2, Xbox
Destroy All Humans! turns players' conventional expectations of playing the human defending against an alien invasion to now allow them to play the alien hell bent on infiltrating and taking over all of humanity. Destroy All Humans! delivers an open ended world where the player can rain down destruction from his UFO or land at any point to walk among the humans as the 3rd person alien subverting and terrorizing all of humanity. Packed with humorous science-fiction mythology and tons of conspiracy theory. Players will soon discover that it is better to be the superior being. |
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- Award for Best Console Game (AGD 2005)
- Award for Best Game Audio (AGD 2005)
- XBM Big Game Award (XBM Issue 46)
- Silver Award (Playstation 2 UK July 05)
- Top 5 Games of E3 (Xbn Magazine)
- Top 10 Games of E3 (Play Magazine July 2004)
- Elite Award (Official Australian Xbox Magazine)
- 4.5 out of 5, with an Editors Choice (GamePro review)
- IGN's top 12 games of 2005-12-29
- Best Games of E3 2004 (Play magazine)
- Technological Excellence PS2 (IGN.com 5/5/04)
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Developer Profile: Pandemic Studios
www.pandemicstudios.com
Pandemic Studios is a premier developer of entertainment software, currently in the midst of production on five major titles for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox. Recently released titles include Star Wars: The Clone Wars for Lucas Arts, Army Men: RTS for 3DO and Triple Play 2002 for EA.
These add to a growing list of releases that include sequels to the best-selling, award winning action-strategy titles Battlezone and Dark Reign. Pandemic is currently producing several high profile games for leading publishers.
After completing Dark Reign 2, several Australian developers working on the project in Santa Monica, California became homesick. Rather than lose their exceptional talents, Pandemic established a second studio in Brisbane, Australia, now with around 20 staff including six of the original Dark Reign team.
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4. Rome Total War
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Developer: The Creative Assembly
Released: 22 September, 2004
System: PC
Rome: Total War is a revolutionary title in the best-selling Total War series that carries players into the midst of ancient history's most intense conflicts. Rome: Total War features groundbreaking technology that brings the epic, cinematic battles of the Roman era to life with graphics and gameplay beyond anything previously seen in a PC game. Players will be transported to the battlefields of ancient history's greatest conflicts and control mighty armies. Up to 10,000 fully polygonal, highly detailed, motion-captured warriors can appear on the screen at once. They control vast armies led by history's most legendary generals including Julius Caesar and Hannibal, and must use a combination of brains and brawn to successfully conquer the Roman Empire. |
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- Gamespy Best Strategy Game of 2004
- Gamespot Best Strategy Game of 2004
- Wargamer Best of E3 Award 2003
- IGN.com Best PC Game of E3 2004
- Best Strategy Game and Best Use of Sound from IGN, as well coming 2nd for PC Game of the Year.
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Developer Profile: The Creative Assembly
www.creative-assembly.com.au
The Creative Assembly, the developers of the innovative, award-winning and hugely successful Medieval: Total War and Shogun: Total War have expanded their operation overseas. George Fidler, previously the Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts Australia heads the new team, in Fortitude Valley - Brisbane, Australia.
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3. Powerslide
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Developer: Ratbag
Released: 01 December, 1998
System: PC
Powerslide is a driving game like no other, with screaming fast graphics, drive anywhere 3D modeled environments, and gameplay that will keep you glued to your screen for an unhealthy length of time. It looks wicked, the physics are awesome, it feels totally real to drive. The gameplay is exceptional and the multiplayer technology smoother than any other game at the time. This is the game that made Ratbag when they showed it at E3. |
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- Wins Racing Game of the Year (and runner up Best Graphics Engine) with IGN.com
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Developer Profile: Ratbag
www.ratbaggames.com
Founded as Emergent Software in 1993, Ratbag is based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Greg Siegele and Richard Harrison spent three years and all of their personal savings developing the company's early technology. In 1996 they took the original Powerslide demo to E3, knowing that if no publishing deal were forthcoming the company would have to close its doors. Thankfully, Powerslide was the hit of the show, and before they knew it Greg and Richard had no fewer than eight of the biggest publishers in the industry engaged in a bidding war for the rights.
Ratbag was acquired by Midway in August 2005 for a reported $7 million and the studio was renamed to Midway Studios Australia. Then, only four months later, Midway's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Studios made a personal appearance to read a prepared speech to the stunned staff of more than 50 that Midway was closing down the studio.
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2. Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
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Developer: Krome
Released: 09 October, 2002
System: PS2, Xbox, Gamecube
During a chance meeting with the Mystical Bunyip Elder, he discovers that his fellow Tasmanian Tigers are still alive, but are trapped in the otherworldly realm of the Dreamtime. He also learns that deep in the Australian outback there exists a rocky outcrop with five sockets. When five magic Talismans are placed in the sockets, the portal to the Dreamtime will open. Unfotunately, these Talismans have been lost and an evil cassowary by the name of Boss Cass is trying to find them. Now Ty is on a quest to recover the Talismans before Boss Cass. If Ty is successful in defeating Boss Cass and his evil minions and activating the portal, the Tasmanian Tigers will be freed and able to populate the earth once more. |
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- Sold over 1.3 million units worldwide
- Award for Best Original Character Design : TY the Tasmanian Tiger (AGD 2002, 2004 and 2005)
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Developer Profile: Krome Studios
www.kromestudios.com
Founded in 1999 by industry veteran Steve Stamatidis and Robert Walsh, Krome Studios is based in Brisbane. In its early days Krome pioneered surfing games on the playstation followed by a number of best selling children's titles for the Barbie, Disney and Nickelodeon franchises. Their TY the Tasmanian Tiger series has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, and they have secured a deal with DPS Film Roman to develop TY the Tasmanian Tiger into an animated cartoon. Some of their more recent games include King Arthur and TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3: Night of the Quinkan.
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1. Dark Reign
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Developer: Auran
Released: 01 August, 1997
System: PC
Dark Reign: 'The Future of War' was Auran's first published game. An RTS genre game. Uses the revolutionary 'Tactics Engine' developed by Auran. Over 40 different unit types, including infantry, medics, spies, snipers, mechanics, saboteurs and suicide bombers; as well as a wide variety of vehicle types including transports, amphibious tanks and spider bikes. It featured units that were able to morph into terrain objects, like trees or rocks. It featured Terrain effects (for eg, infantry is slowed down by mud, and steep hills and cliffs pose a problem to heavy vehicles). Also featured waypoints, different orders for units, and true line of sight targeting. I played this game multiplayer, and it was fast and frantic. |
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- Sold over 685,000 units worldwide
- Was rated in the Top 10 Real Time Strategy Games by Game Developer magazine in the US
- 1997 Strategy Game of the Year
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Developer Profile: Auran
www.auran.com
Established in 1995 by Greg Lane and Graham Edelsten, Auran is one of Australia's oldest and largest game studios. Operating from world-class facilities in Brisbane, they boast a team of internationally experienced developers. Auran is also responsible for the popular Trainz Railroad Simulators, and also has their own game development engine called 'Auran Jet'.
Upcoming games: Excalibur (PC) |
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Honorable Mentions
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HEROES OF THE PACIFIC
Developer: IR Gurus
Released: Sept 23, 2005
System: PC, Xbox, PS2
Beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbour, this flight combat game puts players in the middle of some of the most intense naval conflict in WWII's Pacific Theatre. |
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KRUSH KILL N DESTROY
Developer: Beam Software / Melbourne House
Released: March 05, 1997
System: PC
A quality RTS game set in a post-holocaust world where you can either play as the mutants with their animal vehicles, or the surviors with their technology. |
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WARLORDS BATTLECRY 2
Developer: SSG
Released: 01 December, 1995
System: PC
Experience a unique blend of real-time strategy gaming and role-playing fantasy, which allows players to develop heroes through experience in battle. |
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TEST DRIVE LE MANS
Developer: Melbourne House
Released: July 11, 2000
System: Dreamcast
Based on the famous French endurance race, Test Drive Le Mans is not only a great simulation of the 24-hour GT extravaganza, it's arguably the best racer on Dreamcast. |
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WAY OF THE EXPLODING FIST
Developer: Beam Software / Melbourne House
Released: 1985
System: Commodore 64, PC, Apple II, Mac
The first real class beat 'em up on the Commodore 64, the simple aim of the game is to defeat as many opponents as you can and thus improving your rating. |
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