Bangers After Bangers
Game companies come and go, but rarely do you find one that can truly stand the test of time. Although quite a lucrative market, video game development has gotten very costly in recent years, making for a far more competitive and cutthroat industry. As easy as it is to dunk on these titans of the industry when they make one too many missteps, it’s also important to bear in mind the successes and achievements that cemented their status as industry leaders in the first place.
1. Electronic Arts (EA)
You may be thinking to yourself, “Wait, did I accidentally click on ‘The 20 Least Reputable Game Companies We Don’t Trust’?” Nope, you’re in the right place. Whether or not we’d like to admit it, EA is a globally recognized force in the industry for its extensive range of games, including massively popular sports titles like FIFA, Madden NFL, and NHL. Besides cornering the sports gaming marketplace, EA also has a foothold in several key gaming genres with widely successful franchises like The Sims, Battlefield, Apex Legends, and Need for Speed.
2. Sony Interactive Entertainment
The video game landscape as we know it was forever changed in 1995 with the release of Sony’s first foray into the home console market: the PlayStation. The rest, as they say, was history. Sony’s stronghold over the console gaming market has remained steadfast ever since, much to the chagrin of its competitors Microsoft and Nintendo. After five iterations of the PlayStation console and a robust library of first-party games, Sony has guaranteed its spot in the pantheon of all-time great game companies.
3. Microsoft Xbox
With heavyweights like Sony and Nintendo to contend with, Microsoft made a bold move with its expansion into the console market but has nonetheless grown into a significant player in the deeply competitive industry. Luckily, with their attention to detail, innovative hardware, and a strong emphasis on online gaming services through Xbox Live, Microsoft was able to prove itself as a venerable competitor in the console race and one of the most reputable companies in the business.
4. Ubisoft
Ubisoft is often cited as one of the most prominent third-party game developers in the industry. Famous for its rich, narrative-driven games and impressive open-world titles like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, the company has remained a key player in the video game industry by continually innovating gameplay mechanics, expanding on its open-world designs, and providing players with reliable franchises that continue to break the mold year over year.
5. Valve Corporation
Valve has been a powerhouse in gaming since the late ’90s. After the release of their smash hit, Half-Life, Valve has not only put out a slate of releases the likes of which include Counter-Strike, Portal, and Left 4 Dead, but they’ve also expanded their horizons by creating Steam, the largest digital distribution platform in PC gaming. Valve's influence in the industry by way of hardware, software, and digital distribution makes it one of the most innovative and versatile companies in the industry.
Long Zheng from Melbourne, Australia on Wikimedia
6. Square Enix
Along with being a household name among fans of Japanese role-playing game franchises like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts, Square Enix has also made large strides in establishing itself as a noteworthy third-party game publisher. With several acquisitions under its belt, the company has managed to successfully branch out from its narrow (but successful) beginnings to deliver a multitude of IPs to audiences worldwide.
7. Capcom
With world-renowned franchises like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Monster Hunter in its fold, Capcom has proven itself as one of the most iconic and enduring game companies in the industry. Known for their deep gameplay mechanics and strong narratives, Capcom's games have set a high bar for some of gaming’s most contentious genres, particularly story-driven action and fighting games.
8. Bethesda Softworks
Thanks to the universal success and acclaim of franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, Bethesda Softworks has established itself as the company to look for when it comes to immersive role-playing experiences. Praised for its depth, extensive modding community, and engaging content, Bethesda has been at the forefront of gaming for almost two decades — and with a new Elder Scrolls game on the horizon, this streak shows no signs of waning.
9. Rockstar Games
Best known for creating the Grand Theft Auto series and Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar Games has cemented itself as a critical and commercial powerhouse not to be reckoned with. Celebrated for their vast open worlds, narrative depth, and poignant critical commentary on American culture, Rockstar Games has set the standards by which all other open-world action games are measured.
10. SEGA
Although a household name in the Japanese gaming market since the ’70s (particularly arcades), SEGA truly made its iconic mark in the world of gaming with the Sega Genesis. Ever since, they have continued to influence the industry with beloved franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Yakuza, and the arcade classic Virtua Fighter. SEGA's diverse range and ever-expanding library of games has made it an enduring force in the industry, despite its failures in the hardware market (RIP Dreamcast).
11. FromSoftware
Known for creating some of gaming’s most beloved and commercially successful action role-playing games (a subgenre they helped pioneer), FromSoftware is a mainstay in today’s current gaming ecosystem. Esteemed (and sometimes despised) for their challenging gameplay, intricate world design, and deep lore, games like the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro have made FromSoftware one of the most prominent and imitated developers in the industry.
12. Naughty Dog
One of the more enduring qualities of the PlayStation is its robust library of exclusive games. Naughty Dog, having produced some of the most acclaimed titles for the PlayStation (Uncharted and The Last of Us), has played a huge role in maintaining the dominance of Sony’s home console. Universally recognized for its compelling storytelling, deep character development, and cinematic quality, Naughty Dog has developed an unwavering reputation as one of gaming’s most consistent developers.
13. Insomniac Games
Similar to Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games has been instrumental in establishing Sony’s stranglehold over the gaming market. With monumental franchises like Ratchet & Clank and Spider-Man, Insomniac Games has successfully made its mark on gaming by consistently producing a compelling blend of engaging gameplay mechanics, vivid worlds, and dynamic storytelling.
14. CD Projekt
CD Projekt, the parent company of CD Projekt Red, has certainly made a name for itself with incredibly lucrative and renowned releases like The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077. But they’ve also successfully followed in Valve’s footsteps by creating GOG.com, a game distribution service known for its extensive DRM-free policy. Gamers worldwide have echoed the praises of CD Projekt for its contributions not just as a developer but also as a distributor that values complete asset ownership and accessibility.
15. Bungie
With Halo, Bungie managed to single-handedly redefine console first-person shooters, in turn paving the way for over two decades of success for Microsoft’s once-burgeoning foray into the competitive gaming console market. But Bungie wasn’t satisfied. After parting ways with parent company Microsoft, Bungie went on to develop Destiny, a benchmark title in the looter-shooter genre, proving once again that they have a firm grasp on multiplayer FPS experiences.
Sergey Galyonkin from Raleigh, USA on Wikimedia
16. Mojang Studios
From humble beginnings to impossible heights, Mojang Studios has firmly established itself as one of the most important and successful developers of recent years. With the runaway success of Minecraft (one of the best-selling games of all time), Mojang Studios has taken the gaming industry by storm due to their popularization of the sandbox genre, offering players of all ages a vast world to create and explore.
17. Obsidian Entertainment
Widely celebrated for its expertise in role-playing games, Obsidian Entertainment has established itself as a developer that gamers can consistently count on to produce high-quality, immersive entertainment. With notable titles like Pillars of Eternity, The Outer Worlds, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II under its belt, Obsidian Entertainment has become a pillar of the role-playing genre due in large part to its deep, narrative-driven games that offer meaningful choices and complex character development.
18. Double Fine Productions
Led by industry darling Tim Schafer, Double Fine Productions has made a name for itself over the years for its quirky and creative approach to game design. With inventive titles like Psychonauts and Brütal Legend, Double Fine has distinguished itself from other developers by incorporating humor, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a unique art style, making them a fan favorite among gamers.
19. Epic Games
Epic Games is undoubtedly one of the most influential and recognizable names in gaming. Besides introducing the world to gaming phenomena like Fortnite and Gears of War, Epic Games is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, one of the most powerful and widely used game development tools in the industry. Their impact on gaming technology and interactive media is as enduring as it is profound and has only grown exponentially in recent years.
20. Nintendo
Nintendo is by far the most recognizable pioneer in the gaming industry. With a massive roster of iconic franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon, Nintendo has maintained a long-standing reputation for creating family-friendly entertainment in tandem with groundbreaking hardware innovations like the Wii and the Switch. Nintendo has proven to be one of the most enduring and beloved companies in the industry, with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
