ACMI joins forces with Melbourne games studio Big Ant for a five-year partnership

Launching as part of ACMI's new free centerpiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, Games Lab Presented by Big Ant Studios, is a space dedicated to profiling the best local and international videogame talent.

Games Lab offers museum-goers a selection of free, playable, carefully curated independent and arcade videogames, and features an ever-changing list of hand-selected titles that are culturally, linguistically and gender diverse. Games Lab will be presented for the next five years by Melbourne-based game developer Big Ant Studios, who are leaders in the Australian industry with major sports titles such as AO Tennis 2, Cricket 19 and the original AFL Live.  

Truly a next-gen studio, Big Ant utilises the latest technology to develop popular titles for Xbox and PlayStation, as well as PC and mobile platforms. 

Three sub-sections exist within the Games Lab: Videogames and Us takes visitors through the history and cultural significance of videogames; 12 game stations offer playable titles for a hands-on experience; and an arcade section allows visitors to indulge in their game nostalgia and play a collection of original and refurbished cabinets.  

ACMI, as part of their Open Weekend, are partnering with AO Tennis 2, Big Ant Studios and Fed Square to host an all-weekend tennis event. Visitors can play a Fast4 doubles match against their friends on the Fed Square Atrium Screen and in the ACMI Cinemas or catch an AO tournament match on the Fed Square Big Screen.

QUOTES

“ACMI is thrilled to be collaborating with such a globally successful example of the Melbourne games industry as Big Ant Studios. The work they do in supporting local games developers marries perfectly with ACMI’s commitment to not only promoting the cultural significance of videogames but supporting the local makers who create them.” 
ACMI Director & CEO Katrina Sedgwick OAM

“Recognising that video games have made a meaningful contribution to Australia’s cultural and artistic heritage is a worthy cause that we are thrilled to support. Australia was one of the original pioneers of global video game development, and that passion for innovative creativity has remained with us ever since. As one of the oldest studios in Australia, Big Ant are proud to offer our support to the excellent work that ACMI is doing to champion and celebrate our nation’s successes in this area.” 
Big Ant Studios CEO Ross Symons