In the last several decades, the popularity of home consoles and other gaming devices has grown exponentially. Back in 2020, the global video gaming industry generated gross revenues of around US$165 billion. Back in 2020, there were around 2,7 billion gamers, while today, over 3,2 billion people across the globe play video games.
Over the years, many different brands emerged on the scene, including Sony Group Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo Co. Ltd., Activision Blizzard Inc., Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, and Riot Games. These are the biggest video game brands that we discuss in the following sections.
Sony Group Corporation
Founded in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, Ltd., Sony Group Corporation is one of the most successful companies of this kind. Today, the company operates as a member of the Sony Group, alongside Sony Financial Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Sony Pictures.
Some of the most popular games released by Sony Group Corporation are Lode Runner from 1983, Time Crisis II from 1997, Ring King from 1985, Juno First from 1983, and Bloodborne from 2015. Some of the most popular Sony video games inspired iGaming content developers and if you are interested in exploring iGaming options, make sure you check this list of promo codes.
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation was founded in April of 1975 by Paul Allen and Bill Gates. According to the company’s annual financial report from 2021, the company generated gross revenues of over US$161 billion in the twelve months of 2021. Its operating income for 2021 was over US$70 billion, and its net income went over US$60 billion.
Over the years, Microsoft Corporation released quite a few iconic games, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 4 and 5, Age of Empires, Minecraft Dungeons, and many others. The company made over US$16 billion from its Xbox Game Studios. Mojang, which developed Minecraft, was purchased by Microsoft in 2014 for around US$2,5 billion.
Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Nintendo Co. Ltd. is a Japanese company founded in 1989 by Fusajiro Yamauchi. Back in 2021, the company collected over US$13 billion in revenues and over US$4,9 billion in operating income. The company’s net income for 2021 was over US$5,3 billion.
Nintendo Co. Ltd. has released a number of iconic video games over the years, including Mario Kart Tour in 2019, Dragalia Lost also from 2018, The Legend of Zelda in 2017, and Fire Emblem Warriors in 2022, and Super Mario Run in 2016. The company is also known for its retro games, including The Legend of Zelda from 1986, Super Mario All-Stars from 1993, and Journey to Silius from 1990.
Activision Blizzard Inc.
Activision Blizzard Inc. was founded in July of 2008. In 2021, the company generated gross revenues of over US$8,8 billion. Activision Blizzard is best known for its Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo series. Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk’s series, Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Skylanders, Heroes of the Storm, and Hearthstone are also Activision Blizzard gaming products. Today, the company is in the process of getting acquired by Microsoft, which would only make it bigger and better than ever.
Riot Games
When discussing the biggest video game brands, we have to mention Riot Games. The company was founded in 2006 in California. Today, the company has over twenty offices and employs over 2,500 individuals. Riot Games is best known for the League of Legends series. Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and Legends of Runeterra are also Riot Games products.