Gaming is one of the world’s most profitable industries. Within the world of entertainment, companies are more focused on meeting gamer needs than ever before. Some of the biggest names in gaming have been around for decades, including Nintendo and Microsoft. Given their legacy within the industry, they steer some of the biggest projects today.
But these huge names don’t have a stranglehold on the industry. In other words, though they’re hugely important, there are millions of gamers continually searching for the next ‘big thing’. And when it comes to the world’s most influential gaming developers, there are dozens of innovative groups. Let’s explore some of the most prominent from each gaming category.
Casino Industry: Pragmatic Play
The iGaming industry is one of the world’s most expansive within gaming. When it comes to slots, in particular, there are a handful of highly influential developers. For example, one of the most prominent developers is Pragmatic Play games, which specializes in online slots and live dealer games.
In fact, the company has even ventured into new territory with its game show games. These titles combine elements of online slots with live casino titles, including Sweet Bonanza CandyLand. This game includes a real-life dealer who spins a large wheel that includes dozens of unique prizes.
Mobile Gaming: Jam City
Most of the biggest names in video gaming are also prominent within mobile gaming. In other words, legacy developers like Nintendo, EA, and Ubisoft all have a strong presence within mobile gaming. Still, there are a few others you may not know.
Jam City has been around for a while and recently teamed up with Disney. But before it signed that blockbuster deal, Jam City made its name by creating hit games from the Family Guy and Harry Potter franchises. The latter project, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, is critically acclaimed.
Console: Hideo Kojima/Kojima Studios
Within the realm of console gaming, let’s shift our focus toward game designers rather than developers. While designers need to work with a developing company to bring their vision to life, these types of creatives take a directorial role in game creation.
In PC gaming, there are a few major designers. Sid Meier, for example, was a pivotal name from the 1990s. Today, however, one of the biggest names in PC game design is Hideo Kojima. Kojima made his name with the Metal Gear Solid franchise starting back in the 1990s. This made him a pioneer within the realm of stealth games.
Back in 2005, he launched Kojima Studios to more closely bring his visions to life. In 2015, Kojima officially parted from Konami, then began work on Death Stranding, which was released in 2019. The game received critical acclaim for its voice acting and soundtrack, along with its unique storyline and gameplay.
PC: CD Projekt Red
Typically, video game developers focus on either console or PC, as porting to mobile is usually an easier task. In the realm of PC gaming, one of the most influential studios is Poland’s CD Projekt. This studio launched The Witcher franchise based on the books of Andrzej Sapkowski.
As any PC gamer knows, the success of The Witcher 3 has led to new projects, including the highly successful GWENT: The Witcher Card Game. This hugely successful franchise helped put this series on the map—and even helped spur the recent Netflix Witcher series.
On top of its work with The Witcher, CD Projekt also released Cyberpunk 2077. Though the project originally hit obstacles with players, recent patches have turned the tide of public opinion on this project. It’s now considered one of the most innovative projects to be released in recent years.