Trickstar Games

Trickstar Games Pty Ltd was an Australian video game development company based in Melbourne. It was established in November 2009 by former members of Transmission Games, including Mike Fegan and Tony Parkes, shortly after Transmission Games closed in October of the same year. The new studio inherited or continued work associated with several Transmission-related properties and became involved in development for Nintendo and Sony platforms, as well as Microsoft Windows-based computers. The company’s formation reflected the movement of experienced Australian game developers into a successor studio after the shutdown of an earlier Melbourne developer. Rather than being identified with a single long-running consumer franchise, Trickstar operated as a project-based development company working across sports and action-oriented licensed or established intellectual properties. Its known work included International Cricket 2010, JASF: Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters, and Ashes Cricket 2013. These projects placed the studio in the console and PC publishing ecosystem, with development work spanning cricket simulation and military aviation themes. In April 2010, Trickstar announced that it had acquired Sector3 Games, another Australian casual-game development studio. The transaction expanded Trickstar’s development organization and connected it with additional local production capacity. Publicly documented information does not establish the purchase price, the precise structure of the acquisition, or the extent to which Sector3’s technology and staff were integrated. Trickstar later became associated with Ashes Cricket 2013, a cricket title that encountered significant problems after release. The game was taken off sale in November 2013, an event that became one of the most visible episodes in the company’s short history. Available reference material identifies the removal from sale but does not provide a complete account of the commercial arrangements, customer remedies, or the respective responsibilities of the developer and publisher. The company’s later financial position appears to have deteriorated. An application to wind up Trickstar Games was lodged on 12 May 2015. The available reference material does not state the final legal outcome in detail, but Trickstar is generally treated as a defunct studio. No current corporate website, public listing, successor operating brand, or continuing product business is established by the supplied sources.

Trickstar Games Pty Ltd emerged from Melbourne’s game-development community in late 2009. The studio was founded in November by former members of Transmission Games, including Mike Fegan and Tony Parkes, following Transmission’s closure the previous month. Its establishment provided a new home for developers with experience in console and PC production and positioned the company as a successor to some Transmission-associated work. The studio developed content for Nintendo and Sony platforms and for Microsoft Windows-based computers. Its documented portfolio covered several genres rather than a single proprietary brand. International Cricket 2010 connected the company with cricket simulation, while JASF: Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters represented a military aviation project. Trickstar was also involved with Ashes Cricket 2013, a cricket game that later became the company’s most controversial release because it was taken off sale in November 2013. On 8 April 2010, Trickstar announced that it had acquired Sector3 Games, another Australian studio known for casual game development. The acquisition was an important early corporate move, although the available material does not specify its financial terms, staffing arrangements, or the precise integration process. It nevertheless indicates that Trickstar sought to expand beyond a small successor team and build additional development capacity. Ashes Cricket 2013 was released into a difficult reception and was removed from sale on 28 November 2013. The supplied references confirm the withdrawal but do not provide enough information to state the complete technical, contractual, or financial background. A contemporary interview with director Mike Fegan addressed the game and offers evidence that the title was a significant public issue for the studio. The company’s final documented phase was marked by insolvency-related proceedings. An application to wind up Trickstar Games was lodged on 12 May 2015. The available reference material does not give the final court disposition or a detailed account of creditor proceedings. No evidence in the supplied material indicates that Trickstar continued operating as an independent development company after this period, and the brand is therefore recorded as defunct.

• 2015

  Winding-up application lodged

  [1]Trickstar Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  An application to wind up Trickstar Games was lodged on 12 May 2015.

• 2013

  Ashes Cricket 2013 removed from sale

  [1]Trickstar Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The cricket title was taken off sale on 28 November 2013 following release problems.

• 2010

  Sector3 Games acquisition announced

  [1]Trickstar Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Trickstar announced on 8 April 2010 that it had acquired Sector3 Games, an Australian casual-game development studio.

• 2009

  Trickstar Games is founded

  [1]Trickstar Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Former Transmission Games members, including Mike Fegan and Tony Parkes, founded Trickstar Games in Melbourne in November 2009.

An Australian contract and original-development game studio focused on console and PC projects, including sports, military aviation, and casual games.

• Sports video game · 2010

  International Cricket 2010

  A cricket simulation associated with Trickstar’s early portfolio and its work on sports-focused game projects. The available reference material identifies the title but does not provide sufficient detail about its platforms, publisher, sales, or reception.

• Military aviation video game

  JASF: Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters

  A military aviation game developed in the period when Trickstar was producing content for console and PC platforms. The supplied material identifies it as one of the titles connected with the studio but does not establish detailed development or commercial information.

• Sports video game · 2013

  Ashes Cricket 2013

  A cricket game developed by Trickstar that became the studio’s most publicly documented release. The title was taken off sale on 28 November 2013. The available sources do not fully document the release arrangements, technical issues, customer remedies, or financial impact.

• 2013

  Withdrawal of Ashes Cricket 2013Other

  Background

  Ashes Cricket 2013 faced release problems and became the subject of public discussion involving the developer.

  Action taken

  The game was taken off sale on 28 November 2013.

  Aftermath

  The withdrawal became a defining event in Trickstar’s public history. The supplied material does not establish the full contractual, financial, or customer-support consequences.

  Source

• 2010

  Acquisition of Sector3 GamesM&A

  Background

  Trickstar sought to expand its Australian development capacity after its formation by acquiring Sector3 Games, a casual-game studio.

  Action taken

  The company announced the acquisition on 8 April 2010.

  Aftermath

  The available sources do not specify the transaction value, integration arrangements, or subsequent operational contribution of Sector3 Games.

  Source

1. 1Trickstar Gamesen.wikipedia.org