Video games have surpassed the film and music industries to become one of the most popular kinds of entertainment today. These games offer a unique, immersive experience that cannot be replicated by any other entertainment medium. The biggest gaming companies, those at the top of this booming industry, make billions of dollars every year just from game sales.
Although the development of the video game industry has been slow-paced compared to previous years, it still exhibits a robust expansion. By 2023, the global gaming market will be worth 150 billion U.S. dollars. The giants leading this sector have remained relatively consistent, with this year’s list of the Top 10 largest gaming companies mirroring those of prior years.
In this article we are going to showcase the Top 10 largest video game companies worldwide in 2023, judged by their achieved gaming revenue in the last fiscal year. These powerhouses represent the gaming industry leaders, shaping trends and defining the future of interactive entertainment.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 Biggest Video Game Companies in the World
1. Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Gaming Revenue: $28.2 billion
- Founded in: 1946
- Founders: Akio Morita, Masaru Ibuka
- Headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
- Main industry: Electronics
In 2023, Sony stands as the biggest video game company globally, with gaming revenue of $28.2 billion. This success is largely due to the PlayStation 5, which was released in 2020 and has become the most popular next-generation console worldwide. Alongside, Sony’s creation of original video games like God of War and the Spider-Man series, developed by their owned studios Santa Monica Studio and Insomniac Games, highlights their innovation. Also, their portable console, the PlayStation Vita, plays an important role in securing Sony’s unrivaled position in the video game market.
2. Microsoft
- Gaming Revenue: $16.2 billion
- Founded in: 1975
- Founders: Bill Gates; Paul Allen
- Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, U.S.
- Main industry: Information Technology
As the world’s largest software company, Microsoft also shines as the second-largest video game company globally. Their gaming branch, Xbox Game Studios, pulled in an impressive $16.2 billion, with a significant portion stemming from the next-gen Xbox Series X/S console. But that’s not all; Microsoft’s influence extends to developing video games and owning dynamic studios, such as Mojang. This Swedish video game studio, a part of Microsoft’s portfolio, gave birth to Minecraft. Recently, this iconic creation has skyrocketed to become the most popular video game in history, further cementing Microsoft’s formidable presence in the gaming industry.
In 2022, Microsoft set a record for the most expensive acquisition in the video game industry when it announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion.
4. Tencent Games
- Gaming Revenue: $13.9 billion
- Founded in: 1998
- Founders: Ma Huateng, Daniel Xu, Zhang Zhidong, Zeng Liqing, Chen Yidan
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
- Main industry: Conglomerate
Chinese titan, Tencent Chinese multinational technology and entertainment conglomerate and holding company has reckoned with the video game sector. It has a boasting gaming revenue of $13.9 billion. Tencent’s success is rooted in its focus on online and mobile smartphone games, including flagship hits like PUBG: Mobile and Honor of Kings. But Tencent’s influence doesn’t stop at mobile gaming. With its ownership of global video game studios, it also plays a major role on the big screen. This represents Tencent’s ownership of Riot Games, creators of the massively multiplayer battle arena game League of Legends.
Furthermore, Tencent holds stakes in several other gaming giants, such as Epic Games and Activision Blizzard, as well as South Korea’s Krafton Game Union, and a 5% share in France’s Ubisoft. This diverse portfolio cements Tencent’s place among the largest gaming companies in the world.
3. Nintendo
- Gaming Revenue: $13.8 billion
- Founded in: 1889
- Founders: Fusajiro Yamauchi
- Headquarters: Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Main industry: Video Games and Electronics
Claiming the fourth spot in the Top 10 biggest video game companies in 2023 is Nintendo, a name synonymous with gaming heritage as the world’s oldest active video game company and largest pure video game developer. With gaming revenue of $13.8 billion in the last year, Nintendo’s success story continues to unfold. This success rests on two pillars: continued sales of the Nintendo Switch console and the evergreen Pokemon franchise. The latest installment in the Pokemon series once again reigned as Nintendo’s best-selling video game last year, underscoring the enduring appeal of this iconic brand.
5. Activision/Blizzard
- Revenue: $ 7.4 billion
- Founded in: 2008
- Founders:
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, California, US
- Main industry: Video Games
Securing the fifth position in the top 10 biggest video companies ranking of 2023 is Activision Blizzard, a prominent name born from the merger of American game companies Activision and Blizzard Entertainment in 2008. Operating out of California, Activision Blizzard had $7.4 billion in sales last year. This financial triumph largely hinges on their flagship game series, Call of Duty. Among the franchise’s line-up, the latest entry, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was once again the company’s biggest revenue driver. It’s a testament to the continued success and innovation of a series that has historically dominated the gaming landscape.
6. Electronic Arts
- Revenue: $ 7 billion
- Founded in: 1982
- Founders: Trip Hawkins
- Headquarters: Redwood City, California. US
- Main industry: Gaming
Electronic Arts (EA), a titan among the global video game companies, reigns supreme in the sports games segment of the video games market. It’s home to the world’s largest sports game brands, such as FIFA and Madden, which stand among the most triumphant video game franchises. But EA’s mastery doesn’t end with sports; they also pioneered successful non-gaming franchises, expanding their portfolio with adventure racing sensations like The Sims, Battlefield, Medal of Honor and Need for Speed. This combination of innovation and diversity demonstrates EA’s ability to deliver entertainment that appeals to large audiences.
7. Epic Games
- Revenue: $5.8 billion
- Founded in: 1991
- Founders: Tim Sweeney, Mark Rein
- Headquarters: Caty, North Carolina, US
- Main industry: Gaming
Securing the seventh spot in the global ranking of video game companies is Epic Games, a name that has come to resonate with innovation and success. Founded in the early 1990s as “Epic MegaGames”, it’s only in recent years that they’ve become a towering figure in the industry. Their meteoric rise can be attributed to their flagship title, the battle royale phenomenon Fortnite, released in 2017. This game has catapulted into one of the most beloved video games worldwide. Moreover, both Tencent and Sony have recognized Epic’s potential, investing in minority stakes in the company, solidifying its position as a formidable player in the gaming landscape.
8 Take-Two Interactive
- Revenue: $3.5 billion
- Founded in: 1993
- Founders: Ryan Brant
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Main industry: Gaming
Take-Two Interactive is the eighth-largest video game company in the world. Operating as a holding company, Take-Two owns multiple studios, crafting diverse video games under various brands. For instance, their 2K studio is behind the renowned NBA 2K series. But the real stars are the iconic Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, monumental franchises developed by its subsidiary, Rockstar Games. Both series have made history as the world’s highest-grossing video game franchises, reflecting Take-Two’s leadership in the gaming industry.
9. Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Revenue: $3.1 billion
- Founded in: 2006
- Founders:
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Main industry: Video Games
Primarily known as a toy manufacturer, Bandai Namco has impressively carved a niche among the world’s biggest video game companies. Founded in 2005 through the merger of Bandai and Namco, the company is known for developing classic first-generation video game franchises such as Pac-Man and Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as the popular fighting game series Tekken. Beyond these classics, Bandai Namco has thrived in the realm of anime video games with titles like Dragon Ball. Their innovation continues, as seen in recent hits like the RPG Elton Ring. This blend of timeless classics and fresh creativity fortifies Bandai Namco’s position as a significant player in the largest gaming companies list.
10. Ubisoft
- Revenue: $2.5 billion
- Founded in: 1986
- Founders: Christian Guillemot and more
- Headquarters: Saint-Mandé, France
- Main industry: Video Games
Among the biggest video game companies globally, Ubisoft is the largest video game company in Europe. With its roots in France, it has paved the way for international success in the gaming industry. Today, there is an array of great game franchises that resonate with gamers around the world. From the enthralling action-adventure worlds of Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed to the strategic thrills of the shooter series Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Ubisoft’s portfolio is both diverse and successful. Adding to its global footprint, the renowned Chinese conglomerate Tencent also owns a minority stake in Ubisoft, further cementing its position among the largest gaming companies.
Final Thoughts
In the ever-evolving world of interactive gaming, the Top 10 biggest video game companies in 2023 continue to define the future of gaming. From Sony’s PlayStation victories to Ubisoft’s enthralling action-adventure worlds, these powerhouses reflect a unique combination of creativity, legacy, and economic prowess. Their combined efforts not only drive a $150 billion business but also create trends and experiences that appeal to video game players all around the world. It’s a compelling testament to the boundless creativity and commercial success inherent in the video game industry today.
