SMG Studio
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2013
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 4
About SMG Studio
SMG Studio is an Australian video game developer creating original and licensed games for console, PC and mobile platforms. Founded in July 2013, the studio develops cooperative multiplayer experiences, physics-based puzzles, action games and arcade titles. Its work spans independently conceived game worlds and adaptations of established entertainment and tabletop properties.
The company began as a gaming division within digital agency Soap Creative before joining Dentsu through the acquisition of both businesses in 2015. It continues to operate as a game development studio within the group, with a distributed presence across Australia and the United States. Its Australian development operations are complemented by a US branch supporting publishing relationships and international partner coordination.
Original games and licensed worlds
Early releases included OTTTD: Over The Top Tower Defence and One More Line, both released in 2014. The studio subsequently developed games including Thumb Drift, Death Squared, No Way Home and SP!NG, extending its portfolio across mobile devices, subscription gaming services, computers and consoles. These projects encompass tower defence, minimalist arcade play, cooperative puzzles and action adventures.
Its cooperative moving simulator Moving Out was co-developed with Swedish developer DevM Games and published by Team17 in 2020. The collaboration continued with Moving Out 2 in 2023. SMG Studio also develops and maintains RISK: Global Domination, the official digital adaptation of Hasbro’s board game, supporting multiplayer play across mobile and PC.
In 2025, the studio worked with The LEGO Group and publisher Fictions on LEGO Party!, a four-player party game supporting cross-platform play.
Development capabilities
The studio’s production capabilities cover game design, prototyping, engineering, level design, art direction, character modelling and animation. Its technical work includes cross-platform multiplayer architecture, networking and console porting. Alongside complete game production and external development collaborations, SMG Studio supports released titles through maintenance, community engagement and content expansion. Its background in digital advertising also informs work involving brand integration and licensed intellectual property.
More about SMG Studio
Leadership and design approach
- Ashley Ringrose is identified as the studio’s founder and Studio Head.
- The studio describes its internal design philosophy as D.A.F.U.Z.: Dynamic, Addictive, Fun, Unique and Zany.
Development support and operating model
- Early development was supported by Screen Australia’s Games Enterprise programme.
- Following the 2015 acquisition, the studio retained creative independence to develop commercial, original and licensed game intellectual property.
- LEGO Party! received support from VicScreen, Screen NSW and Screen Queensland.
Recognition and milestones
- Moving Out won Game of the Year at the 2020 Australian Game Developer Awards. The award recognised the game, co-developed with DevM Games.
- Moving Out sold more than one million copies, while the earlier mobile title One More Line reached millions of downloads.
Notable credits
16 creditsOffices
Where SMG Studio is based
- Suite 4.06, 22–36 Mountain Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007, AustraliaSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney office
HeadquartersOverall company headquarters and founding office.
- Level 2, 549 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Brisbane office
Direct development and playtesting branch.
- Level 7 / Level 8, 510 Church Street, Cremorne, VIC 3121, AustraliaMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne office
Development studio co-located within the Dentsu Melbourne facility in Cremorne, also described as Richmond.
- Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles office
North American satellite branch supporting international co-development, publisher relationships and US-based talent.
Open roles
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