See Master thread for links to other countries threads and poll, read rules, and tell me which country should receive a thread next:
https://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread/249268/master-thread-favorite-games-from-different-countries/
For the first time we are leaving Europe! Heading down under to look at the Australian video game industry. This is also a very different country to what we have previously covered, as there usually are 1-2 really big developers that can make up half a poll. Australian developers seem to just make one HUGE game, and that’s it. It means there is a lot of variety in the poll!
Some notable Australian developers and their games:
Team Bondi
It brings me deep sadness to write about this extremely talented developer, that only managed to develop one title before being defunct. What a game though! Rockstar games could immediately see the potential in L.A. Noire, and no question gamers could too. Thankfully the game also delivered one o the most unique experiences of the 7th generation.
Notable game:
L.A. Noire
House House
Another studio mainly known for a single game, however they will likely bring great hits for years to come. 2019’s Untitled Goose Game was a indie smash hit, with a terrific sense of humor and a very original premise.
Notable games:
Push Me Pull You
Untitled Goose Game
Team Cherry
Technically another indie “one hit wonder” so far, but when your hit is Hollow Knight, everyone will STFU and bow in admiration. The fact that this tiny studio could develop something as magnificent as Hollow Knight is so mind blowing. Now just give us Silksong please!
Notable game:
Hollow Knight
Halfbrick Studios
Sometimes the simplest premise is the best, Halfbrick realized that when they decided to design a game about slicing fruit! The studio has gone on to release multiple successful mobile titles.
Notable games:
Fruit Ninja
Jetpack Joyride
Dan the Man
2K Australia
Originally Irrational Games Australia, this is one of those studios that makes it challenging to make these threads. Kind of like Ubisoft Milan, 2K Australia has mainly worked as a support studio or co-developer. Most of their credits are as “assistance” to other studios. However they did work on two games where they are generally listed as co-developers. It seems there is little question about Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel qualifying for the poll, however they are actually also credited as co-developer on Bioshock, the extremely acclaimed FPS, which they developed together with 2K Boston. It is difficult to access how the development resources were distributed, but given that several of the people high up in the development hierarchy are from the Australian branch, I conclude that it is close enough to a 50-50 contribution, to count as an Australian game. On the sequels 2K Australia only received supporting credit.
Notable games:
Bioshock
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Blue Tongue Entertainment
Now, I gave the credits for de Blob to the original dutch developers, Blue Tongue Entertainment actually handled the development of all the successful main platform version, but I would count that as porting. However, the sequel de Blob 2, was developed solely by Blue Tongue, so that one certainly qualifies. The studio is unfortunately defunct, but they also managed to develop several licensed games, including in the SpongeBob universe.
Notable games:
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
de Blob 2
Micro Forté
This developers claim to fame relate to having their hands on the Fallout franchise, with the spin-off Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel. While overall well received, it does have some harsh critics.
Notable games:
Enemy Infestation
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
Other games to consider:
Unpacking
Frog Detective
Webbed
Umurangi Generation
Paperbark
Wayward Strand
Golf Story
The Artful Escape
Florence
The Forgotten City
Cult of the Lamb
Destroy all Humans
Destroy all Humans 2
Last edited by Vinther1991 - on 17 June 2025
