PlaySide Studios is an Australian video game developer and publisher based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Launched in 2012, it is one of Australia's largest independent game developers, with games across mobile, PC, console, and virtual reality platforms.[2][3] In December 2020, it became the first Australian-based game developer to list on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX: PLY.[4]
 | |
Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| ASX: PLY | |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | January 2012 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | Port Melbourne, Victoria , Australia |
Key people | Benn Skender (CEO) |
| Products | Video games |
| Revenue |  A$48.7 million[1] (2025) |
| A$−12.1 million[1] (2025) | |
Number of employees | 261[1] (2026) |
| Website | www |
History
editPlaySide was established by Gerry Sakkas, Aaron Pasias, and Mark Goulopoulos.[4] Sakkas, a former designer at Visceral Games, founded the studio with a redundancy payment following the closure of the office in Melbourne.[5] The company initially focused on mobile games and work-for-hire projects for major entertainment brands.
In 2021, PlaySide acquired the Dumb Ways to Die franchise for A$2.25 million, leading to a resurgence of the brand on platforms like TikTok.[6] In 2025, Benn Skender succeeded Sakkas as CEO after a restructure "triggered by delays in winning work-for-hire contracts".[7]
Games and operations
editPlaySide operates through three divisions: Original IP, Work-for-Hire, and Publishing. It has developed games for clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Activision Blizzard, and Meta.[4][2]
A selection of titles developed or published by PlaySide include:
- Catch the Ark[8] (2013)
- SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run[9] (2015)
- AR Dragon (2017)
- Dumb Ways series [10]
- Age of Darkness: Final Stand[11] (2021)
- Kill Knight[12] (2024)
- Sid Meier's Civilization VII VR[13] (Meta Quest version, 2025)
- Mouse: P.I. for Hire[14] (2026)
References
edit- 1 2 3 PlaySide Studios (24 February 2026). "1HFY26 Results Presentation" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Investor Centre". PlaySide Studios. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Largest Australian Video Game Companies by Revenue". Bullfincher. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Gillezeau, Natasha (6 December 2020). "Melbourne video game producer to make ASX history". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ DeLoria, Elizabeth (14 December 2011). "When EA Gives You Lemons, Start a New Studio". Gameranx. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ Watson, Meg (17 February 2023). "A Melbourne train safety jingle became a global hit. Now it's going viral again". The Age. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ Argüello, Diego; Kerr, Chris (3 April 2025). "Australian company PlaySide Studios has laid off workers in restructuring". Game Developer. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Catch the Ark". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Dumb Ways series". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Age of Darkness: Final Stand". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Kill Knight". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Sid Meier's Civilization VII: VR". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "Mouse: P.I. for Hire". Moby Games. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
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