Online gaming has emerged as one of the most lucrative businesses in the entertainment industry, while the top 12 online gaming companies are in lead. The transition from consoles to digital platforms has resulted in the building of the industry’s first fund dedicated to gaming – GAMR.
Top 12 online gaming companies powering this globally lucrative industry in 2018
1. Microsoft
A force to reckon with in the gaming world, Microsoft has some of the coolest online games. Though its Xbox Live was initially dismissed by industry analysts, today the company dominates the core gamer market, make it one of the world’s largest online gaming companies.
Net worth: US$402.06 Billion
What’s New?: Apart from updating the Xbox One and Xbox 360 Games with Gold releases for January 2018, the gaming giant is reportedly developing a new big-budget Fable game.
Read: How Advertising Plays an Important Role in the Success of Video Games
2. Tencent
This Chinese video gaming company earned the distinction of being the largest gaming company in the world, it is also one of the world’s top online gaming companies in terms of revenue. The supporters of one of the most successful MOBA League of the Legends, Tencent holds the credit of bringing China’s local games onto the global platform.
Net worth: US$197.4 Billion
What’s New?: Recently, the company signed a deal with the Danish toymaker Lego to develop online games. Plans for Lego Boost – a building and coding set that lets children turn their brick creations into moving objects – is also part of the deal.
3. Activision Blizzard
Perhaps one of the best partnerships in gaming history, Activision Blizzard plays host to Destiny, Call of Duty series, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. The five operating units of the company are Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, King Digital Entertainment, Major League Gaming, and Activision Blizzard Studios.
Net worth: US$29.93 Billion
What’s New?: Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch league launched earlier this month in collaboration with Fusion. The company’s value in the stock market has skyrocketed since then.
4. Sony Computer Entertainment
Whether it’s electronics or video games, Sony is one of the largest producers of video game consoles in the world. Its PS2 has been one of the longest selling consoles of all time. One of the prime competitors of Microsoft in the video games market, industry experts are always looking to find out which brand will release bigger and better versions of games.
Net worth: US$17.49 Billion
What’s New?: From Bloodborne 2, Knack III, to PS4 remasters of LocoRoco 1 & 2, Sony Computer Entertainment is all set to make 2018 a year full of action.
5. Apple
To the surprise of some industry experts, Apple is among the most profitable gaming companies in the world. Its App Store gained immense popularity with the introduction of iPhone. Through the store, Apple commissions a royalty for the sale of every game app, like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Kings.
Net worth: US$526.82 Billion
What’s New?: Apple has created its first ever gaming robot named ‘MekaMon’, which can be connected to your smartphone and is capable of augmented reality warfare.
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6. Electronic Arts
One of the oldest names in the gaming industry, Electronic Arts, aka EA, has to its credit the annual release of games like FIFA, NBA, and NFL. The American video game company has acquired DICE – the developers of Battlefield franchise. EA has also collaborated with Disney to be the sole distributor of all Star War games.
Net worth: US$22.90 Billion
What’s New?: This February, the company plans to roll out its new adventure platform named Fe. The game will be launched for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Origin.
7. King
The social games development company, King, ventured into mobile games in 2011. Candy Crush, Diamond Digger, and Farm Heroes are some of its most popular games. King has earned millions from just one of its games, proving how lucrative the video game industry is.
Net worth: US$5.69 Billion
What’s New?: The company plans to stick to its strategy of the simple mechanics of a match three game type in forthcoming years.
Read: Could Social Games Replace Console Games in the Next Decade?
8. Nintendo
One of the major names in the gaming industry, Nintendo began as card manufacturers and gradually became a leading name in the gaming industry. The brand literally revived the video games industry after its crash in 1982, through the release of the original Super Mario Bros. Star Fox, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda are some of Nintendo’s major franchises. The company has collaborated its core franchises with consoles like Wii and Gamecube.
Net worth: US$20.11 Billion
What’s New?: Recently, Nintendo decided to bring back the NES Classic Edition to make the most of the interest generated from Nintendo Switch.
9. Ubisoft
The French video game publisher Ubisoft has made a place for itself in the top gaming companies through strategic acquisition of some of the most talented development studios. The company has a rich portfolio of renowned brands like Just Dance, Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rayman, and Watch Dogs.
Net worth: US$ 4.5 Billion
What’s New?: Ubisoft and Yoozoo Games announced a partnership that will bring Assassin’s Creed characters to Legacy of Discord.
10. Sega
“Sonic the Hedgehog” gave this Japanese multinational company immense success both in terms of revenues and popularity. Sega did experience major losses after its decision to discontinue its hardware business and focus on third party software development. However, since 2005, Sega has been going strong in the gaming industry.
Today, Sega is not only among the topmost companies in Japan, but throughout the globe.
Net worth: US$ 4 Billion
What’s New?: Post success of Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania, Sega is planning to work on SXSW in 2018.
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11. Zynga
A leading developer of the world’s most popular social games, Zynga is a San Francisco based company. Farmville, Empires and Allies, Crazy Kitchen, and Solitaire are some of its most sought-after games.
The pioneers of social games, Zynga acquired NaturalMotion – the creators of CSR Racing and Clumsy Ninja, in 2014.
Net worth: US$ 4.5 Billion
What’s New?: In a major move to gain a monopoly over the mobile card games market, the company acquired the copyrights of Turkish game designer Peak Games for US$100 million.
12. Square Enix
One of the most successful companies of all time, Square Enix is known for games like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Hitman. The Japanese company, earned huge revenues through the Final Fantasy series, especially Final Fantasy 7.
Net worth: US$ 1.26 Billion
What’s New?: Square Enix has announced the launch of a new “high-speed competitive action” game named Starwing Paradox in 2018.
Conclusion:
Online gaming holds immense potential for developers as well as investors. The above list makes it apparent that online gaming has emerged as a major segment of the entertainment industry. With mobile games, pay-to-play games, and free-to-play (F2P) games becoming even more creative, it is expected that the global online gaming market will grow at an immense rate.
