The stats back it up: Last year's graduate intake program had 219 applicants for the six 12-month contracts on offer. "Our members there are generally happier and more well-compensated."Ĭoupled with options to work remotely and the company's strong diversity and inclusion policies, Mighty Kingdom is one of the premier destinations in Australia for up-and-coming developers and artists. "Mighty Kingdom's working conditions are better than a lot of Australian studios," said Tim Colwill, convenor of Game Workers Australia, a trade union for employees in the video game industry. Shopkins has been one of the studio's biggest successes, attracting over 40 million downloads. Four years later, the studio had secured licensing agreements with Disney and Lego and joined forces with Australian toy company Moose Toys to build a portfolio of games focused on Moose's range of "Shopkins" collectibles. In 2013, he shifted the focus of Mighty Kingdom to work solely on game development. Mayes co-founded Mighty Kingdom in 2011 with Jindou Lee, just as Apple and Google's online app stores began to boom.
#GAMEJOLT LAST MAN SITTING PROFESSIONAL#
Mighty Kingdom was built from the ground up by Philip Mayes, a New Zealand-born IT professional who honed his craft at Australian game studios prior to the 2008 global financial crisis. The Kingdom is under siege, and the bombardment threatens to undo a decade of positive change. But over the past six months, CNET has investigated allegations against the studio, uncovering a trail of broken promises, deception and unmet expectations and revealing a messy dispute over IP, entangling the studio and the state government of South Australia. In an industry where huge game development studios like Activision Blizzard and Riot Games stand accused of fostering a culture of sexual harassment and discrimination, Mighty Kingdom had become an example of what game development should look like. More seriously, allegations of IP theft, fraud and unjust treatment have been leveled against Mighty Kingdom by creatives who worked with the studio to help build and publish their video games over the last five years. Its recent quarterly reports paint a worrisome picture of a company propped up by government subsidies and tax rebates, burning through cash at an unsustainable rate. In June, it hit an all-time low of just 2.1 cents (3c AUD). After raising an impressive $12.7 million ($18 million AUD) at 18 cents (26c AUD) per share when it first listed on the ASX, Mighty Kingdom has seen its stock price tumble as investors grow concerned. Its first major console title, Conan Chop Chop, sold poorly upon release in March. Since then, it's struggled with development delays, slow game sales and increasing staff expenses.
In April 2021, in an attempt to cement its success and take advantage of the pandemic-induced video game boom, Mighty Kingdom listed on Australia's stock exchange, the ASX. In short, Mighty Kingdom has had a fairy tale run and more than lived up to its impressive name.īut behind the scenes, there's been a growing turmoil. It has been praised by all corners of the gaming community, applauded for its diverse hiring policy, four-day work week and mental health support. The company is seen as a major success story, championing talent in Australia, building a successful graduate intake program and working alongside many of the world's biggest brands, including Lego and Disney. Within the walls of this castle lies Australia's largest independent games studio: Mighty Kingdom.įrom humble beginnings in 2010, Mighty Kingdom has grown to employ an army of over 160 game developers, artists, engineers and designers. But when the sky darkens with storm clouds, the same glass projects a heavy gloom over the street below.
Depending on the angle, you might catch sunlight sparkling off the exterior. In the bustling heart of Adelaide, South Australia, stands a castle made of glass.
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