Top 10 Modern Video Game Development Studios

Top 10 Modern Video Game Development Studios

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These game developers practically come with their own seal of approval. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Modern Video Game Development Studios. For this list, we’re not taking a look at game publishers, but developers that create games. These developers are still relevant today and have already shown exponential work, with priority given to companies that dare to try new genres and styles.

#10: Telltale Games

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Typically utilizing an episodic structure, this studio has set a new standard for video gamenarratives. Adapting stories based on popular characters, such as Homestar Runner and Sam & Max, Telltale received early praise for their clever humor and dialog. The studio grew even more on a storytelling level with “Tales of Monkey Island” and “Back to the Future,” mixing quirky comedy with touching, poignant moments. “The Walking Dead” in particular was the major turning point for Telltale. With powerful drama, compelling characters, and difficult choices, the story of Lee and Clementine is a true gaming landmark. Telltale continued to impress with “The Wolf Among Us” and “Game of Thrones,” leaving us eager to see what they’ll do with their biggest license yet: Batman.

#9: CD Projekt RED

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As you trivia buffs may know, “The Witcher” franchise started as a series of written works from Andrzej Sapkowski. Much like how “The Lord of the Rings” found a new audience on the silver screen and how “Game of Thrones” developed mainstream popularity on television, though, this fantasy epic now belongs to the gaming medium. The good folks at CD Projekt RED have adapted Sapkowski’s creation into a trilogy of exceptional role-playing games. Getting better with each passing title, “The Witcher 3” is arguably their magnum opus thanks to its enriching environment and multi-layered characters. In fact, the humility they showed fans during the development of that game alone makes them #1 in the books of many of todays gamers.

#8: FromSoftware

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FromSoftware gained early success through “King’s Field” and “Armored Core,” both of which launched enduring franchises. With “Demon Souls,” however, they emerged as one of this generator’s most prominent development studios. Known for its unyielding difficulty, this 2009 RPG challenged gamers everywhere, but in a good way. FromSoftware has maintained their reputation for difficulty and quality with spiritual successors like the “Dark Souls” trilogy and “Bloodborne.” Granted, if you have a short temper, keep in mind that their games may result in a couple broken controllers or at least a few hissy fits. FromSoftware isn’t afraid to push players to their limits, which is exactly why hardcore gamers can’t get enough of them.

#7: Bethesda Game Studios

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Whenever this development team comes out with a new game, you can pretty much clear your schedule for the next several weeks. In 2002, the developers from Bethesda Softworks reached their full potential upon moving to Bethesda Game Studios and making “The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.” With no shortage of content, “Morrowind” demonstrated just how immersive, detailed, and huge a 3D open world RPG could be. Bethesda refined “The Elder Scrolls” series in the equally addicting “Oblivion” and “Skyrim.” As if one hit RPG franchise wasn’t enough, Bethesda has also captivated games with “Fallout 3” and, most recently, “Fallout 4.” If only we had enough hours to play all of these games in their entirety. Sigh…

After Capcom dissolved Clover Studio, the Japanese development team behind “Viewtiful Joe” and “Ōkami,” several key employees were given another chance to blossom upon creating Seeds Inc. and merging with ODD Incorporated. This ultimately resulted in the conception of PlatinumGames, a company known for hack and slash titles, such as “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” and “Transformers: Devastation.” Of course if you want an adrenaline rush that pulls zero punches, look no further than “Bayonetta” and its exceptional sequel. With a reputation for delivering stylish graphics, over-the-top gameplay, and colossal boss battles, PlatinumGames throws everything they have at players. Most of all, Platinum aren’t afraid to try something new, be it with the unique jet powered 3rd Person Shooter Vanquish, the controversial Star Fox Zero, or their upcoming Open World RPG Scalebound.

#5: BioWare

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On the heels of the “Baldur’s Gate” and “Neverwinter Nights” franchises, BioWare established themselves as the modern masters of role-playing with “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.” Kind of ironic that a “Star Wars” video game had a better storyline than the prequel movies we were getting at the time. BioWare jumped from one galaxy far, far away to another upon developing “Mass Effect,” which went onto inspired a marvelous trilogy. The studio then took gamers to the enchanting realm of Ferelden in “Dragon Age: Origins.” Whether tackling the sci-fi or fantasy genres, you can always count on BioWare games to deliver multi-layered characters, rich lore, and a world you can completely lose yourself in.

#4: Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development Or Nintendo EAD

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Nintendo is to video games what Disney is to animation. There probably wouldn’t even be a gaming industry today without Nintendo, making them the original game changers. Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, which was formerly the company’s biggest division, kept classic franchises like “Mario” And “Zelda” relevant through innovative ideas, pioneering controls, and inventive gameplay mechanics. They’ve also given us some of the most revolutionary multiplayer games of the past decade, including “Wii Sports” and “Splatoon.” In 2015, Nintendo EAD merged with the company’s Software Planning & Development to create a single team. Here’s hoping that Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development can uphold the Big N’s legacy with their upcoming “Legend of Zelda” game for Wii U.

#3: Naughty Dog

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Naughty Dog helped put the Sony PlayStation on the map with a character named Crash Bandicoot. While the original “Crash” trilogy is still remembered today, the best was yet to come from this American developer. They turned in another wonderful platform game with “Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy” and injected some slick third-person shooting into its two sequels. Through the thrilling “Uncharted” games, the studio gave us the video gameequivalent to “Indiana Jones.” Then just when it looked like Naught Dog couldn’t possibly get any better, they topped themselves with “The Last of Us,” which has been hailed as one of the greatest games ever. Where can the company possibly go after that? We can’t wait to find out!

#2: Rockstar North

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“Grand Theft Auto III” is often seen as the first true installment in the “GTA” franchise. It also marked the end of DMA Design and the beginning of Rockstar North, the developerbehind antiheroes like Tommy Vercetti, Carl Johnson, and NikoBellic. With every new “GTA” title, Rockstar North has preserved the same basic ingredients while continually upping the ante. “Grand Theft Auto V” in particular may be the most ambitious game the studio has ever made, complete with multiple playable characters, diverse missions, and a sandbox that practically feels alive. “GTA” isn’t the only achievement to Rockstar North’s credit, though. They’ve additionally collaborated with other studios on stellar titles like “L.A. Noire,” “Max Payne 3,” and “Red Dead Redemption.” Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Bungie Insomniac Games id Software

#1: Blizzard Entertainment

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The wizards at Blizzard Entertainment have truly put a spell on the gaming community, gluing players to their computer screens for days on end. Sucking us in with vast environments and addictive gameplay, Blizzard has developed one hit franchise after another, from “Warcraft,” to “Diablo,” to “StarCraft.” Of course the studio’s most significant contribution to the industry is a little game you might have heard of called “World of Warcraft.” Currently the most-subscribed MMORPG in the world, not to mention one of the highest-grossing video games ever, “WOW” continues to dominate even over a decade after its initial release. That alone was more than enough to secure Blizzard’s place at the spot of this list. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite modern video game development studio? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.