The video game industry is worth over $130 billion, and the industry’s landscape hasn’t changed much in the last decade. Those leading the pack are still leading in the year 2022 with the intention of getting bigger as players like Microsoft acquire Activision. We look at how much these companies are worth and what made them successful. We also explore some of their famous games to date and what new releases we can expect from them.
1. SONY
Founded in Prefecture Tokyo, Japan, the company launched its first PlayStation in 1994, becoming immensely popular. But the release of the Playstation2 was what put Sony on the gaming map. In five years, it became the fastest-selling console worldwide, selling an incredible 100 million units. And since then, Sony has been at the forefront of gaming consoles.
So what made Sony so popular?
• They worked with third parties to bring exclusive games onto their platform, games like Final Fantasy VII.
• They understand their customers; when the PS2 came out, you could still play your old PS1 games on them.
• They offer more story-driven games than any other console; their games are immersive and unique. Stories like God of War and The Last of Us stay with us long after the game has ended.
And it does not end there with its recent acquisition of the EVO; sony has filed a patent for an esports betting platform. Soon you will be able to place bets on your console just like at a Belgium casino and other betting sites.
2. Nintendo
Nintendo is one of the oldest video game developers around. It was founded in 1889 and remains the world’s biggest purely video game developer. It grossed an impressive $15.3 billion in the financial year 2021/22, thanks to the success of the Pokemon Legends: Arceus game. Nintendo’s mechanics approach to game design has made it globally successful. They have kept the game playing uncomplicated just think of Mario: Super Mario Bros.
The best Nintendo Games to play:
• Super Mario 64
• The Legend of Zelda (the whole series is great)
• Resident Evil 4
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
• GoldenEye 007
3. Microsoft
Founded in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, the company’s primary objective was to create software, and it did that successfully by becoming the leading software company in the world. The company also joined in when game development proved to be a lucrative business. And that has proven to be a worthwhile business for the corporation. The story is that Microsoft was willing to form a collaboration with Sony in order to enter the gaming industry, but Sony wasn’t willing.
Microsoft took that on as a challenge and developed the X-Box to rival Sonys’ Playstation. Today the Xbox console is over 20 years old, with a game library of over 800 games available on Game Pass. Microsoft has made $16.3 billion in profits with the Xbox Game Studios.
Microsoft’s most notable games to have been released include Minecraft, Fallout 3, and the legendary Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Last Word
These are, of course, not the only players in game development, but they are certainly the biggest in terms of revenue and popularity. What would be great to see is a newcomer to the gaming scene and shake things up a little at the top of the leaderboard. Maybe companies like Ubisoft and Bandai Namco could collaborate and give the leading pack a run for their money and give us something fresh and new to immersive ourselves in.