Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Riot Sydney

Riot Sydney is an Australian software company, formed in 2002 by John De Margheriti. It was the developer of BigWorld, a middleware development tool suite for creating massively multiplayer online games (MMO) and virtual worlds. It was the first company that developed a middleware platform for the MMO market. In 2007, BigWorld was recognised by the UK's Develop magazine as an industry leader.

Last revised
Jun 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
548 w
Citations
23
Source
Riot Sydney
FormerlyBigWorld Technology (2002-2012)
Wargaming Sydney (2012-2022)
Company type
Subsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2002 (2002)
HeadquartersSydney, Australia
Key people
Steve Wang (CEO)
Simon Hayes (CTO)
Number of employees
~65 (2013)
ParentWargaming (2012-2022)
Riot Games (2022-present)

Riot Sydney (formerly BigWorld Technology and Wargaming Sydney) is an Australian software company, formed in 2002 by John De Margheriti. It was the developer of BigWorld, a middleware development tool suite for creating massively multiplayer online games (MMO) and virtual worlds. It was the first company that developed a middleware platform for the MMO market. In 2007, BigWorld was recognised by the UK's Develop magazine as an industry leader.1

On 7 August 2012, Wargaming – which had used BigWorld as part of the infrastructure for games such as World of Tanks – acquired BigWorld Technology for $45 million. Wargaming stated that it would continue to license and support BigWorld, and foresaw the possibility that it could offer its technologies with BigWorld for third-party licensors.23 The studio was operated as Wargaming Sydney. On 17 October 2022, Wargaming sold the studio to Riot Games for an undisclosed amount, renaming it to Riot Sydney; the sale excluded the BigWorld technology itself and the studio's publishing arm, which were retained by Wargaming.4

Awards

BigWorld Technology has received a number of business and technology innovation related awards:

  • 2007 Australian Export Awards – Austrade Arts, Entertainment & Design Award Finalist5
  • 2007 Finalist of Australian Technology Showcase Patrons Awards5
  • 2006 Cool Company Awards56
  • 2006 Finalist of the Secrets of Australian IT Innovation competition, Arts and Entertainment category57
  • 2005 Winner ACT Chief Minister's Export Award in Art and Entertainment Award58
  • 2005 Australian Game Developer Awards – Award for Outstanding Innovation9
  • 2005 Sumea Awards for Best Engine Technology5
  • Secrets of Australian IT Innovation 2005 Winner – 2nd Prize in Entertainment Category5
  • 2003 Winner ACT Chief Ministers Export Award in the Arts and Entertainment5
  • 2003 Winner of the Secrets of Australian IT Innovation competition in the Arts and entertainment category5
  • 2003 Australian Game Developers Awards – Award for Outstanding Innovation5
  • 2003 National Finalist of the Austrade Australian Export Award – Arts and Entertainment5
  • 2003 National Winner in the Panasonic Australia Business Award Category of the Telstra and Australian Government Small Business Awards5
  • 2002 National Finalist of the Austrade Australian Export Award – Arts and Entertainment5
  • 2002 Winner ACT Chief Ministers Export Award in the Arts and Entertainment5
  • 2002 Australian Winner of The Asia Pacific ICT Award (APICTA), Creative Digital Industries category5
References

References

  1. "MMO Engine Round-Up". Develop Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  2. Takahashi, Dean (7 August 2012). "Wargaming acquires BigWorld middleware firm for $45M (exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. "Wargaming acquires BigWorld for $45 million". Engadget. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  4. "Riot games acquires Wargaming Sydney Studio". GamesIndustry.biz. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  5. "Australia Training & Simulation Industry Capability Directory: BigWorld Pty Ltd". Australian Government/Simulation Australia. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  6. "Cool Company Awards 2006". Australian Anthill Magazine. August–September 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. "IT Secrets Competition Winners 2002-2005" (PDF). Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  8. "2007 Australian Export Awards". Austrade.
  9. "Australian Game Developers Conference 2005 Award winners". AGDC. 2005.
External links