The focus of this category is on video game developers and publishers, which are similar but not synonymous terms.
A video game developer is a business or individual who creates video games, while a video game publisher is responsible for manufacturing and marketing the products. Most publishers maintain their own development studios, but they are nevertheless known as publishers because publishing is the company's primary activity. Often, a publishing company's development studios will be operated as subsidiary development companies.
Some developers specialize in creating games for specific types of gaming systems, such as the PlayStation or the Xbox, while others specialize in particular types of games, such as role-playing games or single-shooter action games. Most game development firms are small, as compared to publishing companies. However, some have hundreds of employees and several locations. Others consist of only one or two people, creating games for the web or for mobile game applications.
There are three main types of game developers: small independents, third-party developers, and in-house developers. Larger companies may employ a staff of game designers, programmers, sound engineers, producers, and game testers, while smaller companies might outsource some of these functions or include people who wear several hats.
Independent game developers are not owned or employed by any single publisher, although they sometimes market their games to console manufacturers. Some independents self-publish their games, marketing them online. When a game from an independent developer begins to gain traction, it is not uncommon for a publisher to buy out either the game or the development studio.
Third-party developers enter into contracts with publishers to develop a title or a series of games. In return, the development firm receives royalties on sales. Large development firms might have several teams working on different games for different publishers, although most third-party developers tend to be small. Successful developers are often bought out by publishers, becoming in-house developers.
In-house development firms often operate autonomously, with separate work practices and in their own building. Third-party firms that have been bought out often continue to operate much as they did prior to the buy-out, except that they now develop games for a single publisher.
Most video game publishing companies tend to be much larger than development firms, operating their own development firms or employing an in-house team. They manufacture the game, conduct market research, and market the game, often handling the distribution as well. Publishers generally finance the development of games that they intend to publish, either by employing their own developers or through advances on royalties.
The larger game publishers are associated with companies known for producing game hardware as well as software, such as Sony Interactive Entertainment, Apple, Nintendo, and Microsoft Xbox Game Studios. Electronic Arts are the only third-party publisher in the Fortune 500.
Websites representing video game developers and publishers are appropriate for this category, whatever the size of the company.
Recommended Resources
Anonymous Game Developers Interactive is a group of game developers and programmers determined to revive the adventure game genre, initially be remaking classic Sierra On-Line adventure games, enhancing them to modern standards, then offering them to players as free downloads. Its history and goals are discussed, development news and its games are highlighted, with links to additional information and purchase or download page. Community forums are included.
http://www.agdinteractive.com/
Founded in 1972, Atari was a pioneer in home computers, video game consoles, and arcade games. In 1984, the original company was split, rejoined in 1996, and was acquired by Hasbro in 1998. Today, the company owns more than two hundred games, the Atari VCS, a modern gaming and video computer system, each of which is highlighted and made available for purchase online. Several free games may be played online, sorted by game genre.
https://www.atari.com/
The Japanese multinational video game developer and publisher were formed in 2006 as a result of a merger between NAMCO and BANDAI. BNE is the chief development area of the company’s strategic business unit and the main video game branch of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings, publishing such titles as Ace Combat, Gundam, Pac-Man, Soul Caliber, Tales, and Tekken. Game development news, company updates, and a calendar of events are put forth.
https://www.bandainamcoent.com/
Bigpoint GmbH is a German video game developer that creates and publishes stand-alone browser games and social network games. Its site serves as a gaming portal, offering an overview of the company, career opportunities, and contacts, as well as a collection of browser-based MMORPGs that it has produced, which includes desktop and mobile games, as well as its browser-based games. All of its games are free to play, with optional in-game purchases.
https://www.bigpoint.net/
Based in Alberta, Canada, BioWare is a video game developing company founded by physicians in 1995, and currently owned by Electronic Arts. The company specializes in role-playing video games, including massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Its products include console, PC, and online RPGs, which may be accessed through its portal. Its locations, contacts, and career information are presented. An online store offers games, sorted alphabetically and by genre.
http://www.bioware.com/
Established in 1994, the California-based developer and publisher are primarily involved in the development and publishing of video game software, such as the Warcraft series, the StarCraft series, and the Diablo series of games. An overview of the company is set forth, including employment opportunities, press information, and legal documentation. Its games are highlighted, with descriptions, cinematic trailers, and an online store where they can be purchased.
https://www.blizzard.com/
Based in Bellevue, Washington, Bungie is a video game developer. The company concentrated on games for the Macintosh computer in its early years but was acquired by Microsoft in 2000. In 2007, the company again became independent. Its products include Destiny and Destiny 2, produced for Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, and Xbox One. Its products may be purchased online, and other topics include informational articles, a support forum, and game guides.
https://www.bungie.net/
A division of Electronic Arts, EA Sports develops and publishes sports video games, with no ties to a single platform, but are released for the bestselling active platforms, particularly the PlayStation console and, more recently, online gaming platforms. Its games include FIFA, Madden NFL, NHL, NBA Live, and EA Sports UFC. An EA Account subscription allows players to sign into EA games on console, PC, mobile devices, and desktop computers.
https://www.easports.com/
EA is a US-based video game company founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins, an Apple employee. Now the second-largest gaming company in North America and Europe, the company operates several gaming studios, including BioWare, Criterion Games, DICE, Ghost Games, Industrial Toys, Motive Studios, PopCap Games, and Respawn Entertainment. Its games are featured online, some of which are free-to-play, and a profile and history of the company are included.
https://www.ea.com/
Established in 1998, the US-based company develops, publishes, distributes online games. This website provides a vast collection of online games on a wide range of genres including action, arcade, puzzle, jigsaw, board, card, word and a lot more. This website allows you to play and enjoy their game offerings and also provides game downloads for the Mac, PCs, and mobile platforms. The website also allows you to search for new game addition.
http://www.gamehouse.com/
Only compatible with the Windows operating system, HeavyGames features hundreds of action, adventure, strategy, role-playing, and racing games, as well as some others, which are free to download and play, although a premium membership removes advertisements from the games. HeavyGames is affiliated with iWin, a distributor and publisher of casual games. Game selections include BioShock, Blind Legend, Civilization, Defense Grid, Frontline, and Pirates.
https://www.heavygames.com/
Based in Delaware, Himalaya Studios is a video game development studio that focuses on adventure games. The history and a profile of the company are set forth, including a statement of its goals. Available games are featured, with a synopsis and screenshots of each, a list of features, system requirements, a downloadable demo, and links to places where the game can be purchased. Other features include support information and an online community forum.
http://www.himalayastudios.com/
Headquartered in Singapore, IGG is a global publisher of mobile games, offering free-to-play mobile games in twenty-one languages, boasting hundreds of millions of registered players worldwide. Its games include Brave Conquest, Castle Clash, Craft Legend, Lords Mobile, Mobile Royale, and Sea Fortress. Games may be accessed through its portal. Promotional apparel and other products may be purchased online. Support services and career information are included.
https://www.igg.com/
Formerly known as Imagine Games Network, IGN is a US-based online video game and entertainment media company, and a subsidiary of Ziff Davis. Online since 1996, the site focuses on video games, films, television, comics, and technology topics. The network of websites is also distributed on mobile devices, on console programs, FireTV, Hulu, Roku, Snapchat, Twitch, and YouTube. Game wikis are included, along with reviews, and industry news.
https://www.ign.com/
The British video game developer and publisher. Founded in 1999, Jagex is best known for its RuneScape and Old School RuneScape games, one of the largest free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing games, which may be accessed through its site or mobile. Employment opportunities with the company are outlined, including the benefits offered, and a description of its products as living games. Its products, partners, and charitable efforts are defined.
https://www.jagex.com/en-GB/
The US-based mobile, PC, console, and online game company was founded in 2006 and operates a web gaming portal with more than hundred-thousand free online games, its portfolio spanning a wide range of game genres, with a focus on mid-core games, including several idle/clicker games. Game developers may upload Adobe Flash, HTML 5, JavaScript, Shockwave, Java, or Unity games. Membership information, conduct guidelines, and job opportunities are posted.
https://www.kongregate.com/
Pixel Press is a video game technology company, headquartered in Saint Louis, that develops game platforms that simplify the process of creating video games. Its current product is Bloxels, a build-and-play game tool that uses brightly colored building blocks to create and share games. Its products and services are defined, along with an overview and history of the company, including earlier products. Its team is introduced, and contact data is published to the site.
http://www.projectpixelpress.com/
Formed in 2005, RPC designs and produces fantasy novels and role-playing computer games that are creative, original and fun, but which also communicate the spiritual themes of the Christian faith. The company also publishes books that draw upon the heritage of Bunyan, CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and others, and Christian music. Announcements of upcoming titles are published to the site, and available products may be purchased from its online store.
http://www.therebelplanet.com/
From developers of family-friendly computer games for the PC, the site allows players to download or play retro games online. Available games are mostly simple, light-hearted action games sorted by genre, which includes action, arcade, break out, card, hidden object, puzzle, shooting, strategy, and word games. Several games are available as free downloads, while others may be purchased through the site, for digital download after payment. Discounts and special offers are featured.
http://www.retro64.com/
Sega Games Company is an international video game developer and publisher with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1960, the company developed its first coin-operated game, Periscope, in the late 1960s, releasing its video game consoles in the early 1980s. Sega produces large-scale game franchises, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, and Yakuza, and also operates amusement arcades. Its games may be purchased or pre-ordered through its site.
https://www.sega.com/
Originally spelled as Ubi Soft Entertainment, the French video game company has development studios throughout the world. Its monthly MVP Club offers exclusive prizes for completing in-game objectives, hundreds of character outfits, weapon skins, and consumables, and access to playing advice, community videos, personal gaming statistics on iOS or Android mobile devices. PC games, clothing, and collectibles may be purchased from its online store, and its UPlay program allows for online play.
https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us
Founded in 2000, Webzen is a South Korean developer and publisher of video games, particularly mobile and PC MMORPG games, which include MU, MU Origin, MU Origin 2, MU Legend, Continent of the Ninth Seal, Flyff, and Rappelz, as well as Qube Town, First Hero, Hit the Five, Shot Online, Shot Online Golf, and Pool Time. New players may register on its game portal, which includes company information, an IP franchising list, and business partnerships.
http://www.webzen.com/
Published by WildTangent Game Studios, a US-based game distribution network that provides game services for several PC manufacturers, and has installed billions of apps on Windows and Android devices since its founding in 1998. Its game portal charges a monthly fee, which allows for unlimited play on its more than two thousand online titles, ad-free gaming, and discounts on rentals and purchases of thousands of games from several genres.
https://www.wildtangent.com/
Based in Canada, XGen Studios is a video game development studio founded in 2001, developing titles for console devices, mobile devices, and the web. Its online games include multiplayer games, RPG, adventure, defense, simulation, platform, action, physics, strategy, launch, and puzzle games. PC games, which include those for Windows, Mac, and various console platforms, may be purchased from its online store. Discussion forums are included.
http://www.xgenstudios.com/
The game publisher and developer presents online games from several genres, but is known for its arcade and classic games, many from the early days of Y8, including older Flash games. Other popular genres include games for girls, gun games, ninja games, and games using the WebGL and HTML 5 platforms. Games are sorted by genre. A video section includes cartoons. Registration allows players to take part in the Y8 social community.
https://www.y8.com/
