Texas, known for its vast landscapes and thriving tech scene, is also home to some of the top game development companies in the United States. These companies have played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming industry and have been responsible for creating some of the most popular and engaging games. Now, let's explore the best players in the niche one by one!
HitBerry Games
HitBerry Games is a prominent player in the gaming industry. With a global presence, this game development company has garnered attention for its diverse and engaging portfolio. Whether you're a fan of casual gaming experiences, hyper-casual thrills, or hybrid-casual adventures, HitBerry Games has something to pique your gaming interest.
What truly sets HitBerry Games apart is its impressive client base, which includes renowned brands such as Homa, Moonee, CrazyLabs, Gismart, Zplay, TapNation, and many others.
Popular Games: a touch-free game "Electrified Rush," a branded game "Burger Queen," an idle arcade "Pet Clinic," a tower defense/survival "Elemental Defense", and many others await your exploration.
Aspyr Media
Established in 1996, Aspyr Media has been a pioneer in bringing iconic games to Mac users. Collaborating with giants like Electronic Arts, Activision, and 2K Games, Aspyr has successfully ported hit games to the Mac platform.
Titles such as "BioShock," "Borderlands," "Call of Duty Series," and "The Sims 2" series have all been made accessible to Mac gamers thanks to Aspyr's efforts.
Unity
One of the standout names in the gaming industry is Unity. Founded in 2003, Unity has become a global force in game creation software. It is used by renowned companies such as Disney, EA, LEGO, Microsoft, and Warner Bros. Unity's technology empowers game developers, from large publishers to hobbyists, to create captivating gaming experiences.
Popular Games: Unity's powerful engine has been instrumental in creating games like "Monument Valley 2," "D.R.O.N.E.," and "Ghost of a Tale," captivating the hearts of gamers worldwide.
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, founded in 1994, holds a prestigious place in the gaming world. The company is renowned for its massively popular and award-winning "Warcraft" franchise. With a portfolio of 16 #1-selling games and millions of active players on its online service, Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment has created gaming experiences that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Blizzard's Austin office is one of its nine global locations.
Popular Games: Titles like "World of Warcraft," "Starcraft," and the "Diablo" series are household names in the gaming community.
Certain Affinity
Certain Affinity, founded in 2006, stands as Austin's largest independent video game developer. The company has contributed to several highly successful releases, including the "Call of Duty" and "Halo" series. With over 22 titles and 75 million units sold, Certain Affinity is a significant player in the gaming industry. In February, they announced plans to move into a new 55,000-square-foot home with a Play Test space open to the public.
Popular Games: The company's involvement in titles like "Mafia," "Call of Duty," and "Halo" has cemented its reputation as a game development powerhouse.
Electronic Arts (EA Austin)
Electronic Arts (EA) needs no introduction in the digital entertainment world. Established in 1982, EA is a global leader in game development, content creation, and online services across multiple platforms. With over 300 million registered users worldwide, EA has delivered a wide range of top-performing games for various consoles. The Austin office houses their BioWare, Mobile, and Sports divisions.
Popular Games: EA's portfolio includes hits like "The Sims," "EA Sports," "Madden NFL," "Battlefield," and "FIFA."
KingsIsle Entertainment
KingsIsle Entertainment, founded in 2005, specializes in creating family-friendly online games. With offices in both Austin and Dallas, the company recently launched "EverClicker," a mobile fantasy/sci-fi-themed role-playing game that has captivated players in a world full of misfit heroes.
Popular Games: "Wizard 101" and "Pirate101" are among the titles that have won over audiences looking for wholesome gaming experiences.
Owlchemy Labs
Owlchemy Labs, founded in 2010, is well-known for its virtual reality games that prioritize hand interactions and intuitive user experiences. Their breakthrough work on touch interactions led to Google's acquisition of Owlchemy Labs in May.
Popular Games: "Job Simulator" and "Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality" have set a high standard for virtual reality gaming.
Phaser Lock Interactive
Phaser Lock Interactive, based in North Austin, is a young AAA virtual reality game developer. The company's passionate team, with over 20 years of knowledge and experience, aims to create engaging and cinematic gaming experiences for VR enthusiasts.
Popular Games: Titles like "Twisted Arrow" and "Final Approach" showcase its commitment to the virtual reality gaming space.
Retro Studios
Retro Studios, a subsidiary of Nintendo, was founded in 1998. It's a result of a partnership between Nintendo and the founder of Iguana Entertainment. Retro Studios boasts a team of creative veterans who develop games for multiple Nintendo gaming platforms, including GameCube, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS.
Popular Games: The studio is behind hits like "Donkey Kong Country," "Mario Kart 7," and "Metroid Prime."
Rooster Teeth
Rooster Teeth, founded in 2003, is a digital content studio known for creating award-winning web series like "Red vs. Blue." They also produce "Immersion," an online comedy series that brings video games to life by testing whether the characteristics and material of video games are conceivable in the real world.
Popular Games: "Immersion" has entertained audiences by testing games like "Fortnite," "Mass Effect," and "Last of Us."
Virtuix
Virtuix, founded in 2013, is the creator of the Omni, an interactive motion platform for VR games. Users can fully immerse themselves in a virtual reality world, controlling their movements through physical activities like walking and running.
Popular Games: "Omni Arena" and "Travr: Training Ops & Shadow Ops" showcase the possibilities of immersive VR gaming with Virtuix.
Zynga
Zynga, founded in 2007, is known for its social games. Originally founded in San Francisco, Zynga has expanded with offices in Austin and worldwide. Zynga's games have been played by more than one billion people globally since its inception.
Popular Games: Classics like "Farmville" and "Words with Friends" have kept players engaged in social gaming.
Conclusion
Texas has proven to be a fertile ground for the gaming industry, with a diverse array of companies. From game creation software to virtual reality experiences and social gaming, these studious have shaped the gaming landscape on a global scale. So, whether you're a fan of virtual reality, family-friendly games, or blockbuster titles, Texas has something for you!