Lemon Sky Studios

Last updated
Lemon Sky Studios
Company typePrivate
Industry Art Outsourcing, game development, 3D animation
Founded2006
Headquarters Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Number of employees
500
Parent iCandy Interactive Limited
Website lemonskystudios.com

Lemon Sky Studios is a computer-generated imagery studio that produces art for animation and video game titles, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company is best known for outsourcing computer animation and art project for major video game titles such as Final Fantasy VII Remake , Resident Evil: Resistance , Warcraft III: Reforged , StarCraft: Remastered , Uncharted: The Lost Legacy , Marvel's Spider-Man, and Gears of War 5. [1] The studio also involved in animation series such as TruckTown [2] and Nickelodeon's Middle School Moguls . [3]

Contents

Organization

Lemon Sky's production team is made up of over 450 artists and production staff. [4]

The studio's headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with an additional branch located in the city of Penang.

The studio was acquired and is currently fully owned by ASX-listed game studio, iCandy Interactive Limited. [5]

The studio's co-founders, Cheng-Fei Wong and Ken Foong, were given a management contract to serve the studios post acquisition, but they left early ahead of the expiry of the management contract.

In November 2024, Lemon Sky Studios, via its parent company iCandy Interactive Limited, announced that Lemon Sky Studios had initiated legal action against Cheng-Fei Wong and Ka King Foong, the former executives of Lemon Sky Studios. The lawsuit, filed in the High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alleges several breaches of fiduciary duties, breaches of trust, and other unlawful actions. [6]

The legal action stems from an internal review and forensic audit conducted by Lemon Sky Studios The investigation revealed suspicious transactions involving an undisclosed privately held Malaysian company called Momodica Sdn. Bhd., which was allegedly majority-owned by Wong and Foong. [7]

According to iCandy Interactive, Wong and Foong allegedly arranged for Lemon Sky Studios to pay Momodica RM1,505,750 (approximately A$524,542) irrespective of the quality or quantity of sub-contracting work undertaken. [8]

Amidst controversies and facing legal actions, Wong and Foong started a Malaysian studio called Spiky Things Studio immediately after leaving Lemon Sky Studios.

Milestones

2006

2008

2010

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2024

Video game projects

Sources [24] [25]

TitleRelease YearDeveloperPublisher
Go Vacation 2011Bandai Namco EntertainmentNintendo, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
The Sims FreePlay 2011Maxis, Firemonkeys Studios, EA Mobile, Blue Tongue EntertainmentElectronic Arts
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 2012 Sumo Digital SEGA
SimCity 2013MaxisElectronic Arts
Shadow of the Eternals 2013Quantum EntanglementQuantum Entanglement
War of Legions2013AteamAteam
Outrace2013Yubi GamesYubi Games
Game of War: Fire Age 2013Machine ZoneMachine Zone
FIFA 14 2013Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
NBA 2K14 20132K Sports2K Sports
Call of Duty: Ghosts 2013Infinity WardActivision
Dead Rising 3 2013 Capcom Microsoft Studios
Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition 2014CapcomCapcom
Soulcalibur: Lost Swords 2014Project SoulBandai Namco
Omega Quintet 2014Idea FactoryIdea Factory, Compile Heart
Dark Souls II 2014FromSoftwareBandai Namco
MLB 14: The Show 2014San Diego StudioSony Computer Entertainment
NBA 2K152014Visual Concepts2K Sports
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin2015FromSoftwareBandai Namco
Bloodborne2015 FromSoftware Sony Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward2015Square EnixSquare Enix
World of Tanks2015WargamingWargaming
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition2015 The Coalition, Epic Games Microsoft Studios
Tales of Zestiria2015Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
NBA 2K162015Visual Concepts2K Sports
WWE 2K162016 Yuke's 2K Games
Need for Speed: Edge2015EA KoreaTencent, Nexon, Nexon Korea
Disney Magical World 22015Bandai NamcoNintendo, Bandai Namco
Big Bang Galaxy2015Ateam Inc.Ateam Inc.
Vega Conflict2015KIXEYEKIXEYE
Dark Souls III2016FromSoftwareFromSoftware
NBA 2K172016 Visual Concepts Entertainment 2K Sports
Valkyrie Connect2016Ateam Inc.Ateam Inc.
Pirates: Treasure Hunters2016Virtual ToysVirtual Toys
Tales of Berseria2016Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
WWE 2K172016Visual Concepts, Yukes2K Sports
Gears of War 42016The CoalitionMicrosoft Studios
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization2016AquriaBandai Namco
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare2016Infinity WardActivision
Dead Rising 42016CapcomMicrosoft Studios, Capcom
Gravity Rush 22017 Project Siren, Sony Interactive EntertainmentSony Interactive Entertainment
Tales of Berseria2017Bandai NamcoBandai Namco
Mario Sports Superstars2017Bandai Namco, Camelot Software PlanningNintendo
MLB The Show 172017San Diego StudioSony Interactive Entertainment
The Elder Scrolls: Legends2017Dire Wolf Digital, Sparkypants StudiosBethesda Softworks
Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire2017Machine ZoneMachine Zone, Epic Action LLC
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood2017Square EnixSquare Enix
Tekken 72017Bandai Namco StudiosBandai Namco Entertainment
StarCraft: Remastered2017Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy2017Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K182017Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Sports
Marvel's Spider-Man2018Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment
WWE 2K192018Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Games, 2K Sports
Diablo III: Eternal Collection (Nintendo Switch)2018Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Mist Gears2018Tri-AceAlim Co.Ltd.
The Grand Tour Game2019Amazon Game StudiosAmazon Game Studios, Heavy Iron Studios
Anthem2019BioWare, Bioware Austin LLCElectronic Arts
Mortal Kombat 11 2019NetherRealm Studios, Shiver Entertainment, QLOC, ShiverWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers2019Square EnixSquare Enix
Teppen2019GungHo OnlineGungHo Online
Gears 52019The Coalition Xbox Game Studios
WWE 2K202019Yuke's, Visual Concepts2K Games, 2K Sports
Warcraft III: Reforged [26] 2020Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Resident Evil: Resistance [27] 2020Capcom, NeoBards Entertainment Ltd.Capcom
Final Fantasy VII Remake [28] 2020Square EnixSquare Enix
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection [29] 2020Lemon Sky Studios, Petroglyph GamesElectronic Arts
The Last of Us Part II 2020Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
Wasteland 32020inXile EntertainmentinXile Entertainment
Marvel's Avengers2020Crystal DynamicsSquare Enix
Baldur's Gate III2020Larian Studios NVLarian Studios NV
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit - Remastered2020Stellar Entertainment SoftwareElectronic Arts
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales2020Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment America
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered2020Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment America
Demon's Souls2020Bluepoint GamesSony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio
Marvel Strike Force2021ScopelyScopely
Overwatch 22021Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition2021Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 2021Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment
Diablo II: Resurrected2021Blizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes2022Intelligent Systems, Omega ForceNintendo
Rumbleverse2022Iron GalaxyEpic Games
Saints Row2022Volition Deep Silver
The Last of Us Part 12022Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
Gundam Evolution2022Bandai Namco OnlineBandai Namco Entertainment
Star Ocean: The Divine Force2022tri-Ace Square Enix
Warlander2023ToylogicPlaion
Forspoken2023Luminous ProductionsSquare Enix
Hi-Fi Rush2023Tango GameworksBethesda Softworks
The Settlers: New Allies2023Ubisoft Düsseldorf Ubisoft
Wild Hearts2023Omega Force Electronic Arts
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty2023Team Ninja Koei Tecmo
The Sandbox2023TSB Gaming TSB Gaming 
Monopoly Go2023ScopelyScopely
Redfall2023Arkane AustinBethesda Softworks
Street Fighter 62023CapcomCapcom
Final Fantasy XVI2023Square EnixSquare Enix
Exoprimal2023CapcomCapcom
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon2023FromSoftwareFromSoftware, Bandai Namco Entertainment
Baldur's Gate 32023Larian StudiosLarian Studios
Marvel’s Spider-Man 22023Insomniac GamesSony Interactive Entertainment
The Last of Us Part II Remastered2024Naughty DogSony Interactive Entertainment
Rise of the Rōnin2024Koei TecmoSony Interactive Entertainment
What If…? – An Immersive Story2024ILM Immersive, Lucasfilm LtdMarvel Studios, ILM Immersive, Apple
Stormgate2024Frost Giant StudiosFrost Giant Studios

Animation projects

TitleRelease YearPublisher
Buzzy Bee and Friends2009TV 2 (New Zealand)
Surfer Girl 2013Surfer Girl
Sydney Sailboat 2014ABC 4 Kids (Australia), 3e (Ireland), Tiny Pop (UK), Raydar Media
TruckTown2014Treehouse TV (Canada), Tiny Pop (UK)
Gummandos2015Spin Master
Pumpkin Reports 2015Nickelodeon, Qubo, Rai Gulp
Future-Worm! 2016Disney
Ocean Groove with Maestro Ning2018Genting
AstroLOLogy2018Lemon Sky Animation
Tinpo 2018American Greetings Entertainment
Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya 2019Toei Animation
Middle School Moguls 2019Nickelodeon
Spookadilly2019Genting
Big City Greens 2020Disney
Santiago of the Seas 2020Nickelodeon
Battle Kitty 2022Netflix
Not Quite Narwhal2023 Dreamworks Animation (Netflix)
Pokémon: Path to the Peak2023The Pokémon Company
Playdate with Winnie the Pooh 2023Disney Junior
Mighty Monsterwheelies2024 Dreamworks Animation (Netflix)

Controversies

In March 2021, game journalist Chris Bratt from People Make Games interviewed 19 current and former employee from Lemon Sky Studios and Indonesia-based animation studio Brandoville regarding working conditions. The testimonial from employees revealed that Lemon Sky Studios allegedly put its artists through unpaid overtime and had them work weekends to meet tight deadlines from triple-A clients. [30] [31] The higher-ups allegedly used passive-aggressive methods to pressure Lemon Sky artists to work overtime. [30] Lemon Sky Studios denied the allegations as "factually and legally inaccurate" and "are surprised that such allegations are targeted at Lemon Sky", stating they abide all Malaysian employment laws. Lemon Sky Studios also stated they will "take appropriate measures in response", include "obtaining feedback from all of our employees regarding their individual concerns". [32]

References

  1. ↑ "Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  2. ↑ "Trucktown". Lemon Sky Studios. Archived from the original on 2020-03-07. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  3. ↑ Middle School Moguls (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb, archived from the original on 2019-09-20, retrieved 2020-04-28
  4. ↑ "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  5. ↑ Astle, Aaron (2021-11-19). "iCandy acquires Lemon Sky Studios for $32.4 million, raises $29.1 million". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  6. ↑ Kakuchopurei (2024-11-06). "iCandy Files Lawsuit Against The Founders Of This Prominent Malaysian Game Studio; Here's Why | Kakuchopurei" . Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  7. ↑ Adlan, W. Amirul (2024-11-06). "iCandy Sues Former Lemon Sky Heads For Allegedly Stealing Money - 尼未亞 | Nmia Gaming" . Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  8. ↑ "[EN] ICI initiates legal action on former lemon sky executives". iCandy Interactive. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  9. ↑ "Igloo Digital Arts Sdn Bhd".
  10. ↑ "Project Timeline".
  11. ↑ "About Us".
  12. ↑ "Bandai Namco Singapore and Lemon Sky signs MoU". 12 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "Malaysian CGI Animation Studio Lemon Sky Celebrates 10 Years". 6 June 2017.
  14. ↑ "Malaysia Focus: A Look 3 Animation IPs That Reveal The Country's Burgeoning Creative Talent". 18 December 2020.
  15. ↑ "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer".
  16. ↑ "Paying tribute to the nation's top exporters".
  17. ↑ "AstroLOLogy Celebrates 1 Million Subscribers!".
  18. ↑ "Australian game publisher buys over Lemon Sky Studios, for RM135mil".
  19. ↑ "Export Excellence Awards".
  20. ↑ "Metal Genesis Has Landed!".
  21. ↑ "Export Excellence Awards 2022 Winners" (PDF). The Star.
  22. ↑ "iCandy Subsidiary Lemon Sky Studios Leadership Transition".
  23. ↑ "iCandy Commences Legal Action on Former Lemon Sky Executives".
  24. ↑ "Lemon Sky Animation Sdn Bhd". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  25. ↑ "Project Timeline". Lemon Sky Studios. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  26. ↑ "Lemon Sky's eventful journey together with Blizzard in 'reforging' "Warcraft III"". Facebook. January 28, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Helped Bring Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil Resistance To Life". IGN Southeast Asia. 2020-04-16. Archived from the original on 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  28. ↑ meckronos (2020-04-15). "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios Contributed On Final Fantasy VII Remake And Resident Evil Resistance". Gamer Matters. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  29. ↑ "Malaysia's Lemon Sky Studios part of project to remaster Command & Conquer | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  30. 1 2 "Southeast Asia's Lemon Sky & Brandoville Studios Allegedly Put Its Artists Through Unpaid Crunch [Update] | KAKUCHOPUREI.COM". kakuchopurei.com. 2021-03-05. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  31. ↑ How Game Publishers Buy Crunch Overseas, 4 March 2021, archived from the original on 2021-12-07, retrieved 2021-12-07
  32. ↑ Bashir, Dale (2021-03-08). "Malaysian CGI Art Studio Lemon Sky Denies Allegations Staff Undergo Crunch Without Pay". IGN Southeast Asia. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
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