The 10 Richest Game Developers In The World
There are millions of gamers around the globe who come together to play in online contests or single-player mode. The gaming industry has been one of the most expansive and rapidly growing sectors because of the huge public demand for continuing sagas and new games to satisfy their need for this challenging form of entertainment.
While not all game developers get rich in this business, some have made mega fortunes. Who is the richest game developer on the planet today? Find out as we reveal the top 10 richest game developers in the world for 2021.
10. Ubisoft France Valuation: $3.03 billion
Ubisoft France is the tenth richest game developer in the world as of 2021. The company has a valuation of $3.03 billion. The French publisher was founded in 1986 by the Guillemot family.
The group began their business as a tech supplier for those who worked in the agricultural industry. The technology evolved to include game development with some of the most popular franchises in the world to its credit.
You might recognize some of Ubisoft’s titles including Tom Clancy’s “Rainbow 6 with 26 million copies sold, or Tom Clancy’s “Splinter Cell” selling 31 million copies. Its also the publisher of “Farcry with 50 million copies sold, “Just Dance” selling 70 million copies, and its top-selling product, “Assassin’s Creed” with sales of 140 million copies globally. Ubisoft is also planning to release five new titles shortly.
9. Konami Japan Valuation: $3.24 billion
Konami Japan is the ninth richest video game developer with a valuation that eclipses that of Ubisoft. Konami is a publisher and developer with its headquarters located in Japan. The company launched its operation in the arcade machine business, developing and selling the machines.
In 1981, Konami released its first video games. Titles included Super Cobra, Scramble, and Frogger. During its first few decades in business, Konami focused on console gaming, but in recent years it has been turning its attention to the mobile market. Konami is best known for “Yu-Gi-Oh,” selling 19 million copies, “Frogger” with 20 million copies sold, “Castlevania” selling 20 million copies, “Metal Gear” with 41 million copies sold and its most popular franchise “Pro Evolution Soccer” with 90 million copies sold globally.
8. Bandai Namco Valuation: $4.74 billion
Bandai Namco is a Japanese developer that was formed in 2005 when the Bandai company acquired Namco for a price of $1.7 billion. Bandai is known for its arcade classic “Pacman” which was one of the most popular older games the world has seen.
It also developed and sold “Tekken,” which was also a global best-seller. Bandai Namco is best known for its “Famista” franchise selling 15 million copies “Dark Souls” selling 25 million copies, “Pacman” its number three most successful franchise at 44 million copies, and its number one seller “DragonBall” which has sold 55 million copies throughout the world.
The developer has several more titles set for release shortly including “Elden Ring,” “Tales of Arise,” “The Last Kids on Earth and The Staff of Doom,” Digimon Survive,” and “Scarlet Nexus.”
7. Sega Valuation: $4.9 billion
Sega is the seventh richest game developer in the world today. Sega got its start in the arcade industry as a manufacturer of arcade machines. It evolved its product line to include home entertainment consoles and games with “Sonic” becoming its most valuable franchise with a massive 360 million copies of the game sold throughout the world.
Other successful franchises for Sega include “Puyo Puyo” selling 25 million copies, “Total War” with 20 million copies sold, “Megami Tensei” at 15.7 million, and “Warhammer” selling 1 million copies globally. Sega plans to release “Endless Dungeon” as their next new title in the future.
6. Nintendo Valuation: $20.11 billion
Nintendo has been in the gaming industry for decades and is one of the niche’s earliest pioneers. It started manufacturing cards but has evolved into one of the most successful video game developers in the world. Its current valuation lands it in sixth place among the richest developers. It’s a Japanese company known for its franchises “Super Mario Bros,” and the Nintendo Entertainment System consoles.
5. Electronic Arts Valuation: $22.90 billion
Electronic Arts is a brand that is more commonly known as EA. The company is headquartered in the United States and it is currently the sixth richest game developer. While some may be surprised to see EA on this list because of its controversies throughout the years, it’s one of the richest. EA was named the worst company in America by The Consumerist, in 2012.
The following year, Comcast followed suit, but the negative press had little effect on its ability to produce games that people across the world were happy to purchase. The most successful franchises for EA include “Battlefield’ selling a whopping 67 million copies, “Madden NFL selling 100 million copies, “Need for Speed” with 150 million sold, “The Sims,” which became one of the most popular games on the planet, with 200 million copies sold, and it’s the most valuable franchise, “FIFA” which sold more than 250 million copies across the globe.
Electronic Arts also has more games coming down its pipeline. In the upcoming title lineup for the mega-giant game developer, expect to see “Lost In Random,” “It Takes Two,” and “Mass Effect Legendary Edition,” in the months to come.
4. Blizzard Entertainment Valuation: $29.23 billion
Blizzard is the fourth richest game developer on the planet with a current valuation of $29.23 billion. The developer has sold some of the most popular gaming titles in the world. Its top-selling franchises include “Overwatch,” “Diablo,” “World of Warcraft,” “Destiny,” and “Call of Duty.”
3. Sony Entertainment Valuation: $45 billion
Sony is the third richest game developer in the world. It is one of the most well-known brands in the gaming industry. The company is known for its release of the PlayStation consoles and its four versions. Sony is also a game developer that owns many first-party games including “Uncharted,” “The Last of Us,” “Red Dead Redemption” and “Metal Gear Solid.”
2. Tencent Valuation: $48 billion
Tencent has grown to become the second richest game developer in the world today. The company has made multiple acquisitions of gaming companies including Riot Games known for “League of Legends,” Epic Games, and numerous others. If Tencent continues to buy up game development companies it may end up giving the leader of the industry a run for their money.
1. Microsoft Valuation: $1 trillion
Microsoft is the number one richest game developer in the world today. With a valuation of $1 trillion, it’s hard to catch up with the king of the gaming industry.
With all of the different product lines available it’s hard to separate what Microsoft has truly generated in the gaming niche alone, but it’s known for its development and sales of the Xbox console and associated games. It’s been going strong since the early 2000s and it’s by far the richest game developer in the history of the world.
You can also read:
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- The Top 20 Selling Video Games of All-Time
- The 10 Highest Grossing Video Games of All-Time
- The 10 Best Selling Video Game Consoles of All-Time
