In this article we take a look at some of the biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. You can skip our detailed analysis of the gaming industry and go directly to see 5 Biggest Gaming Companies in the World.
Gaming industry is one of the most innovation and important industry in the technology world today. This includes console gaming, PC gaming, cloud gaming, VR/AR gaming and mobile gaming. The gaming industry had a market value of $198.40 billion in 2021. This revenue expects to reach $339.5 billion by 2027. Continuous development and technological advancements have helped the gaming industry prosper and grow. In the past three years, the gaming industry has also increased half a billion players with 2.7 billion people globally. A report by Accenture, shows that by the end of 2023, 400 million new players are expected to join. Game developers are continuously working on enhancing the gaming experience for console gaming such as Xbox, PlayStation and Windows PC. Moreover, with a rising use of internet and smartphones the demand for gaming market has increased globally. According to a GSMA report, 170 mobile companies launched 5G services as of November 2021 which further increased the scope for the gaming industry. Further, leveraging the cloud technology would likely drive engagement and demand of players for different games in the gaming industry. Pandemic gave a rise to the gaming industry and many new and existing gamers launched games and consoles during pandemic. The gaming industry expanded by 26% from 2019 to 2021. Perfect time launches especially during the lockdown gave games a boost. For example, Nintendo Co., Ltd’s (TYO:7974.T) Animal Crossing: New Horizons was launched in March 2020 and sold 13.4 million units in first six weeks. However, according to Harvard Business Review, working from home during lockdown added creative challenges for the developers. The delays cost few companies millions of dollars.
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As the gaming industry continues to grow the social aspect attached to it is increasing too. According to a survey done by Accenture, 84% of the respondents say that playing video games helps to connect with different people with similar interests. Furthermore, gamers spend six hours per week interacting with people in game communities and forums.
A few of the biggest gaming companies in the world are Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) and Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK). Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is popular in the industry because of its Xbox console. The company also introduced project xCloud in 2019, which was a video game streaming service allowing users to stream Microsoft Xbox games to PCs and other devices. Expanding the market, increase in video game merchandise and technical innovations have led the gaming industry to rise.
In this article we have used credible websites such as company websites, Mckinsey and eMarketer to list 10 biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue as of 2021.
Biggest Gaming Companies in the World by Revenue
- Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (JPX:7832.T)
Revenue – $2.0 billion
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (JPX:7832.T) has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan being at 10th in the list of biggest gaming companies in the World by Revenue. Its digital business includes planning, development and sales of video games. They target children, their parents and collectors of video games in their 20s till 30s. Considering diversified customer needs Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (JPX.7832.T) provides variety of content for PCs and mobile devices. Within the Japanese digital game market, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. had a 63.9% share in 2021. The mid-term plan for the company includes promote connections among the new fans and the current fans, as well as between the communities of fans. Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. is planning to focus on the quality of connections keeping it as in integral part of the mid-term plan from April 2022 to March 2025. They are aiming to meet the needs of group employees, communities, business partners and IP fans around the world and to promote deep and broad connection among them. Moreover, their major long-term initiative is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from group business sites by 35% as compared to the fiscal year ended March 2020.
- Ubisoft Entertainment SA (PAR:UBI.PA)
Revenue – $2.5 billion
Ubisoft Entertainment SA (PAR:UBI.PA) publishes and distributes video games for portable and home consoles, smartphones, PC and tablets in both online and physical formats. The product portfolio includes Far Cry, Just Dance, The Crew, Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Rayman, Imortals Fenyx, Star War and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon. Ubisoft Entertainment SA (PAR:UBI.PA) focus on creating games for all kinds of personalities that allow people to grown and learn while having fun. In 2022, Ubisoft Entertainment SA (PAR:UBI.PA) announced Ubisoft+ subscription to PlayStation and took over Tencent Holdings Ltd.. They are continuously producing new entries and experimenting with new franchises like Riders Republic. Ubisoft Entertainment SA (PAR:UBI.PA) has a market share of $5.31 billion as of 2022.
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO)
Revenue – $3.4 billion
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) is a leading publisher, developer and marketer of video games for consumers around the globe. They have developed and published for smartphones, PCs and tablets. Further, they develop and publish the products through Private Division, Zynga, Rockstar Games and 2K. One of the largest franchise for Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) is Grand Theft Auto (GTA). They recently updated it for Xbox and PlayStation to keep it as one of the best-selling video games in the world and to add more consumers. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) acquired Zynga in January, 2022 to increase mobile net bookings as it is the fastest growing segment. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) had a profit of $589 million as of April, 2022.
- Epic Games, Inc.
Revenue – $5.1 billion
Epic Games, Inc. is an interactive entertainment company and provides 3D engine technology. They rank 7th in the list of 10 biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. One of the world’s largest games, Fornite, is operated by Epic Games, Inc. with around 350 million accounts and 2.5 billion connections. Further, Epic Games develops Unreal Engine, which provides an end to end digital ecosystem for creators and developers to build, operate and distribute games. In 2022, Epic Games, Inc. announced a $2 billion funding to facilitate the company’s vision and continuous growth. Therefore, the company now values at $31.5 billion.
- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA)
Revenue – $5.6 billion
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) rank 6th on the list of 10 biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. It is a leading publisher of games on interconnected mobiles, personal computers and consoles. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) caters to around 600 million active players around the globe through their powerful technologies, cutting-edge games and innovative services. A few of the most recognized games for the company are Battlefield, EA sports, FIFA, Need for Speed, Titanfall and F1. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) has a market share of 2.29% as of July 2022. Further, the company had net bookings for the next 12 months of $7.478 billion showing a 22% year-on-year increase. For the year ending March, 31 2023 the net revenue is expected to be $7.6 to $7.8 billion.
- Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI)
Revenue – $8.8 billion
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) creates interactive games and entertainment experiences. They help to create social platforms that bring people together. The goal for Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) is to make every day more fun. A few of the most recognized games for the company are Call of Duty, Overwatch, Candy Crush, World of Warcraft and Hearthstone. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) had 361 million monthly active users as of June 30, 2022. Moreover, as of June 30, 2022, the net bookings for the company were $1.64 billion. Activation Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) ranks 5th on the list of 10 biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. However, on January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) for $95 per share closing the deal by June 30, 2023.
- Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK)
Revenue – $13.9 billion
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK) is based in China with a revenue of $13.9 billion ranks at 4th on the list of 10 biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. Their primary focus is on mobile and online games. One of the most famous games of Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK) is PUBG. Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK) owns the American video game studio, Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends. They also of shares in other video game companies such as, 5% in Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) and 40% in Epic Games, Inc. Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700.HK) is strengthening the intellectual property franchise and development capability of the overseas game studios.
- Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T)
Revenue – $15.3 billion
Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) is a Japanese gaming company with $15.3 billion revenue in 2021. These sales were majorly driven from Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Nintendo Switch console. The mission of Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) is to put smiles on everyone’s faces. The main products for the company are game machines like console and portable games and software. At the end of 2021, Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) had 32 million subscribers and are continuously growing. Moreover, the biggest plan for Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) is to move outside the gaming industry and expanding into video entertainment and theme parks. Currently, four Super Nintendo Worlds are being planned to open around the world in an agreement with Universal Studios. Furthermore, Nintendo Co., Ltd (TYO:7974.T) has planned to come out with a new gaming hardware in the next years.
- Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Revenue – $16.3 billion
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) ranks 2nd in the list of biggest companies in the world by revenue. The revenue of $16.3 billion in 2021 was majorly generated by Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) new Xbox series sales. One of the most popular game for the company is Minecraft. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in 2022, has planned to acquire Activision Blizzard, Ltd (NASDAQ:ATVI) for $68.7 billion. This would be the most expensive acquisition in the gaming industry. Globally. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) had 18% yearly increase in the revenue from 2021 to 2022. Later in 2022, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has planned to let its game subscribers bring their own games to Xbox cloud gaming.
- Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY)
Revenue – $24.9 billion
Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) with a revenue of $24.9 billion as of 2021 ranks 1st on the list of biggest gaming companies in the world by revenue. One of the main products for Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) is PlayStation and its services and family of products. As of March 2022, PlayStation network’s monthly active users were 106 million. Moreover, the subscribers for PlayStation plus as of March 2022, were 47.4 million. Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) is planning to introduce games for smartphones and personal computers to further grow in the gaming industry. According to Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) by 2025, almost half of the games will be either for mobiles or personal computers.
See also 30 Best PC Games of All Time and 10 Best Mobile Gaming Stocks to Buy.
