10 Biggest Gaming Companies in the World [2024]

Summary: Despite some supply chain issues and reputational challenges, the gaming industry is one of the most profitable sectors, with the global market expected to grow to more than $600 billion by 2030. In this guide, we’re taking a look at the 10 biggest gaming companies to invest in on investment platforms such as eToro.

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What are gaming companies?

Gaming companies are businesses that develop, publish, and distribute video games and gaming equipment. As such, they are involved in various aspects of video game development, from designing storylines and gameplay to coding, art, and music creation, as well as testing and delivering copies to digital and physical stores. Additionally, they may manage the marketing and financing of games. 

Some gaming companies focus on developing hardware like consoles, PCs, and various peripherals, while others specialize in mobile gaming, online gaming services, or virtual reality (VR). Being so diverse, these companies play a crucial role in driving innovation in the entertainment and technological sectors.

In this guide, we’ll focus more on companies involved in game production and publishing, as well as companies devoted to console development. 

What is the current state of the gaming industry

A couple of years after the COVID pandemic, the gaming industry is seeing stabilization in revenues, with mobile gaming growing at a CAGR of 17.1%. Despite developer layoffs and recent studio shutdowns, there’s still optimism, as investment trends are shifting towards indies and startups. 

The industry is also addressing diversity issues, recognizing the need for a more inclusive environment. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is reshaping the market, offering opportunities for direct player connections and better insights. Generative artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technology, and the metaverse are seen as future game-changers, promising improvements in content creation, distribution, and player engagement.

The video games market is poised for rapid growth with the adoption of VR and AI technologies, offering unprecedented levels of engagement and realism. These innovations will undoubtedly broaden the target audience, attracting both veteran gamers and those less inclined towards traditional gaming. Additionally, the increasing preference for online gaming has boosted demand for Free-2-Play (F2P) and multiplayer online (MMO) games, a trend expected to continue.

North America still boasts some of the world’s largest game publishers, but the Asia Pacific region dominates the industry with over 50% market share, driven by its vast consumer base. As the Asia Pacific region is expected to maintain its lead, fueled by rising disposable incomes and urbanization in countries like China and India, potential investors will likely have a chance to explore foreign markets. 

New trends in the gaming industry

Mobile gaming is expected to continue thriving, its growth driven by the convenience and accessibility of smartphones, which open gaming to a vast audience. Cross-platform play will further boost this trend. 

The rise of independent app stores, prompted by regulations like the Digital Markets Act in the EU, gives publishers more control over monetization strategies and allows them to sell in-app purchases and subscriptions through their own stores. 

Subscription-based models are likewise gaining momentum, offering curated game selections under a single subscription. Services like Netflix Games Subscription and Xbox Game Pass provide players access to a diverse gaming portfolio. 

Consequently, developers can integrate subscriptions into their business models, offering benefits like ad-free experiences and exclusive content. This trend is likely to align with broader industry patterns of increasing subscription adoption across various other sectors.

Where to buy gaming stocks?

Gaming stocks are readily available for purchase on a vast number of online trading platforms. Our go-to platform for gaming stocks remains eToro, a major brokerage with millions of active daily users and a host of useful trading features, such as:

• Commission-free stock trading;
• Access to over 2,000 stocks from 17 different exchanges;
• Charting tools;
• The option to purchase fractional shares.

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• Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.

• 0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

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• eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

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Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

10 biggest gaming companies in the world

The 10 biggest gaming companies in the world are:

1. Sony Interactive Entertainment (NYSE: SONY);
2. Tencent Interactive Entertainment (HKEX: 700);
3. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT);
4. NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES);
5. Sea Limited (NYSE: SE);
6. Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY);
7. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA);
8. Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO);
9. Embracer Group (NASDAQ: EMBRAC);
10. Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX).

Sony

Sony is a Japanese multinational technology conglomerate renowned for its electronics and entertainment products. The company has been a leader in the gaming industry for decades, with its lines of PlayStation gaming consoles and exclusive titles such as Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls.

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Tencent

Established in 1998, Tencent is a Chinese multinational conglomerate with significant influence in the technology and entertainment sectors. While primarily known as a majority owner of Fortnite and Epic Games, Tencent has a diverse portfolio, operating in social media, gaming, e-commerce, and digital advertising. With flagship products like WeChat and Tencent Games, the company has solidified its position as a global tech leader.

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Microsoft

While primarily an IT company, Microsoft has become a major player in the gaming industry with its popular Xbox consoles. Moreover, Microsoft is increasingly using artificial intelligence to improve gaming experiences. For instance, the company made a substantial $10 billion investment in ChatGPT, its primary AI asset. This investment is notable, given that generative AI is still in its early stages.

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NetEase

NetEase is one of the world’s largest video game publishers. Its lineup includes titles such as the Westward Journey series, and the company had also partnered with Blizzard to operate Chinese versions of their games, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Overwatch, from 2008 to 2023. Last year, NetEase launched a new US studio led by veterans from Bethesda and BioWare.

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Sea Limited

Sea Limited, simply sea, is a tech conglomerate headquartered in Singapore. Sea functions as the holding company of Garena, distributing titles such as League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth, the online football (soccer) game FIFA Online 3, the first-person shooter game Point Blank, etc.

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Nintendo

Nintendo is an iconic name in the gaming world, renowned for creating franchises like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Its handheld-docked hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch, has been a major success, outselling even newer competitors and ranking as the third best-selling gaming platform ever, despite being six years old. While Nintendo may not be as tech-oriented as some competitors, its strong brand and loyal fan base make it one of the most profitable gaming companies globally.

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Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (EA) is a top game developer known for its popular franchises, including FIFA, Madden NFL, The Sims, and Apex Legends, which continue to lead their respective genres, indicating promising prospects for the company. 

With revenue of $7.59 billion in 2023 and more expected growth in 2024, EA presents a potential opportunity for investors interested in long-term performance, albeit with some associated risk until EA provides more information about its performance.

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Take-Two Interactive

Take-Two Interactive is a prominent American video game publisher and developer. It quickly gained recognition in the gaming industry and has an impressive track record, being responsible for some of the most successful video game franchises, including Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption series, as well as 2K Sports; NBA 2K franchise.

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Embracer Group

Embracer Group AB (formerly known as Nordic Games Licensing AB and THQ Nordic AB) is a Swedish video game and media holding company headquartered in Karlstad. The company comprises 11 operational groups: Amplifier Game Invest, Asmodee, CDE Entertainment, Coffee Stain, Dark Horse Media, Deca Games, Easybrain, Freemode, Gearbox Entertainment, Plaion, and the well-known THQ Nordic.

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Roblox Corporation

Roblox Corporation is an American company best known for creating Roblox, an extremely popular online game platform where users can design and play games using the programming language Lua. 

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Pros and cons of investing in gaming companies

Pros

• High growth potential: The gaming industry is growing rapidly, especially mobile gaming. The growth potential can, in part be attributed to the rise of esports and new technologies like virtual reality, so investing in gaming can be an opportunity to explore other sectors as well; 
• Global market: Gaming is a global industry, allowing companies and investors alike to reach a wide audience;
• Innovative technologies: Gaming companies are developing innovative technology, such as cloud gaming, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality;
• Demand: Gaming companies tend to attract wide user and fan bases, generating constant demand for new titles and products.

Cons

• High competition: The gaming industry is highly competitive, with conglomerates such as Microsoft and Sony competing for market share;
• The market can be volatile: Success in the gaming industry often hinges on the unpredictable popularity of certain titles, so companies may face financial losses or bankruptcy if a game fails to meet expectations;
• Supply chain and tech issues: Gaming companies rely heavily on technology, meaning they can perform poorly if there are shortages in, for example, console components. This also makes them vulnerable to disruptions like server outages.

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.

FAQs about the 10 biggest gaming companies

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• Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.

• 0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

• Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

• eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users

Get Started

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD