Massively multiplayer online (MMO) games are videogames that allow players to participate online simultaneously. These games typically take place in a shared persistent world that can be accessed by a gamer after purchasing and installing the game software.
This world exists indefinitely even after the game has been exited. Also, any change made to the world state by its players is retained, and the characters are stored and reactivated whenever a player rejoins the game.
MMO games are designed to be played on different network-capable platforms such as video game consoles, smartphones, or PCs. They also permit players to interact with each other.
The Global MMO Game Market is expected to witness steady growth at a CAGR of 11.06 percent from 2013-2018. TechNavio analysts have identified the top 24 companies in the MMO game market expected to help fuel market growth during the forecast period:
Activision Blizzard Inc.
“Activision Blizzard is an American game software developer. It is the largest supplier of gaming software in North America and Latin America, and the second largest gaming company after Nintendo Corp. in the world. It develops and publishes some of the most successful and beloved entertainment franchises in any medium, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Skylanders, and Diablo®.”
Electronic Arts Inc.
“Electronic Arts is another American gaming software company. The company has segmented its revenue on the basis of its product and services. Some of the major products of the company are the Battlefield series, the FIFA series, the Need for Speed series, and the Dragon Age series.”
Giant Interactive Group Inc.
“Giant Interactive Group Inc. is a leading online game developer and operator in China in terms of market share, and focuses on massively multiplayer online role playing games. Currently, Giant operates multiple games, including the ZT Online 1 Series, ZT Online 2, Elsword, and Allods Online.”
NCSOFT Corp.
“NCSOFT is the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games. Established in 1997 in Seoul, South Korea, NCSOFT quickly became the leader in online games with the successful launch of its flagship product Lineage. Today, NCSOFT is well positioned for continued success in the Asian, North American and European markets by expanding its influence reach throughout the world with excellent products and franchises.”
Nexon Co. Ltd.
“Nexon is a worldwide leader in free-to-play online games. We pioneered the free-to-play gaming model and introduced our first game featuring virtual goods in 2001. Creativity and innovation are the cornerstones of our company, and creating rich, deeply immersive games is our mission. Our games appeal to a broad base of users, spanning a wide range of genres, demographics and geographies.”
Aeria Games and Entertainment Inc.
“With a rapidly growing community of over 45 million core players and a deep portfolio of development partners, Aeria Games is a leading destination for free-to-play online multiplayer games. Founded in 2006, Aeria Games publishes and develops high quality online games in nine languages – English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Turkish and Russian – covering more than 30 countries.”
Ankama Games
“Ankama is an independent digital creation group focused on the entertainment industry. Ankama’s development is based on a transmedia strategy; it creates detailed narrative universes (for example, the Krosmoz) which are further enriched by their portrayal over various media.”
CCP hf
“CCP is dedicated to the development of cutting edge massively multiplayer games. CCP is founded on the principle of pushing the envelope and breaking new grounds on all levels. CCP is not about making copycat products with compromised quality. CCP is about making dreams become a reality.”
Changyou.com Ltd.
“Changyou.com is a leading developer and operator of online games in China. We began operations as a business unit within Sohu.com Inc. in 2003, before our carve-out as a separate, stand-alone company in December 2007. We now operate one of the most popular MMOGs in China, two popular web games in China and have enjoyed strong growth in user data and revenues for our games. Changyou also owns and operates 17173.com, a leading game information portal in China.”
CipSoft GmbH
“CipSoft GmbH is an independent developer and operator of online games for various platforms. Our portfolio includes the MMORPG Tibia which ranks among Europe’s most successful online games, and TibiaME, the first online role-playing game for mobile phones.”
Cryptic Studios Inc.
“Cryptic Studios is a leading developer of massively multiplayer online role playing games, with a reputation for delivering profitable, on-time and on-budget titles. Cryptic developed the innovative and successful City of Heroes, as well as its subsequent expansion, City of Villains. Both titles garnered numerous awards from leading enthusiast press including GameSpy’s Game of the Year award in 2004.”
eGames Inc.
“Games has tons of addicting online games you can download and play. From quick, casual games like crosswords and solitaire to engaging adventure games with great graphics, eGames just can’t be beat. We have free trials for new games daily and are always online. Try one of our great addicting games today! At Egames we continually scour the Web for the best free online games.”
Webzen, INC. (gPotato)
“Webzen.com is the lead portal for online Video Games and Free To Play MMORPG in English! Play the best online client or browser MMO games 100% free! The worlds of Archlord 2, Age of Wulin, Flyff, Rappelz, MU, C9 and Terra Militaris (MMORTS) are all awaiting you for the greatest MMORPG Free to Play battles!”
Jagex Games Studio
“Our studio has a globally recognised reputation for developing hugely popular, accessible, free-to-play games and for providing an unbeatable community experience for our millions of players around the world. We have developed and self-published over 40 online titles, including the Guinness World Record-holding “Most Popular Free Multiplayer Online Game” RuneScape. Our passionate and dedicated teams are also currently developing a number of games including the highly anticipated TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE MMO.”
Joymax
“Since its establishment in 1997, Joymax has been developing quality games for the emerging game industry of the 21st century. Beginning with the game “Final Odyssey” in January 1999, Joymax published numerous titles for the PC platform. With its accumulated know how and development power, Joymax continues to produce game products for various platforms. Joymax’s first MMORPG “Silkroad Online” launched in November 2004 and has since grown to service not only Korea but over 200 international countries.”
NetEase Inc.
“NetEase provides online game services to Internet users, offering in-house developed games such as Fantasy Westward Journey, Westward Journey Online II, Westward Journey Online III, Tianxia III, Heroes of Tang Dynasty, Datang, Ghost, Soul of the Fighter and Kung Fu Master, as well as the licensed Blizzard Entertainment games World of Warcraft® and StarCraft® II.”
OGPlanet
“OGPlanet was first established in 2004 with the goal of bringing some of the most unique and exciting free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games to North American and European audiences. After months of preparation, the company established itself with the launch of the magical golf game Albatross18: Realms of Pangya in 2005. Albatross18 was well-received by players who enjoyed both the quirky theme of the game and the exciting events run by the OGPlanet staff.”
Perfect World Co. Ltd.
“Perfect World Entertainment is a leading North American online games publisher specializing in immersive free-to-play MMORPGs. Founded in 2008, Perfect World Entertainment has published 10 popular titles, including Blacklight Retribution, Forsaken World, Perfect World International and Star Trek Online.”
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
“Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited (“Shanda”) is a leading interactive entertainment media company in China that offers a broad variety of content from massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and advanced casual games, to social network games, e-sports, literature, film, television, music, and video etc. Shanda allows its users to interact with thousands of other users while enjoying some of the best entertainment content available in China today.”
Softnyx Ltd.
“Softnyx has developed various online games such as casual action game Gunbound, battle action game Rakion, and action FPS Wolfteam. Softnyx games have been loved by users from all over the world for a long time. Softnyx is the first company to enter to Central and South America market and has been leading the market ever since. Successful experiences in Global Service and Local Service are the biggest assets for Softnyx.”
Sony Online Entertainment LLC
“Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games and emergent gameplay. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises such as EverQuest®, EverQuest® II,PlanetSide®2, DC Universe™ Online, and the highly-anticipated H1Z1™, Landmark™ and EverQuest Next™, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms, while also collaborating directly with its players to provide tools for creating in-game items that can be sold in SOE game worlds for real-world money.”
Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.
“The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 92 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 53 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide, together with other well established products such as: DEUS EX, HITMAN, KANE & LYNCH, KINGDOM HEARTS, STAR OCEAN, and SPACE INVADERS. The Square Enix Group continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation by providing high-quality entertainment content, services and products.”
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
“Founded in November, 1998, Tencent, Inc. has grown into China’s largest and most used Internet service portal. In its ten-year history, Tencent has been able to maintain steady and fast-paced growth by always putting its users first. On June 16th, 2004, Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK 700) went public on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.”
Turbine Inc.
“Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online® , and Asheron’s Call®.”
