Game Developer Magazine's Top 20 Publishers For 2008 is a fascinating look at the best of the games industry. Every year the CMP site collates its numerous survey responses into a whole, given readers a sense of which companies are truly the best of the lot. The positions of the companies are weighted carefully based on first-hand feedback from survey participants. The companies on the list, the article says,
"seems to have been influenced somewhat by which companies could adapt with the times, and capitalize on the so-called 'emerging markets' of casual and online games." The MMO industry is well-represented on the list, with several major players cracking that top 20. Here they are:
- 2. Electronic Arts - Publisher and owner of EA Mythic and BioWare, the company already plays host to two big-name MMOs. Their adoption of casual and online titles, without a doubt, keeps them nailed near the top of this list.
- 10. Square Enix - The FFXI developer has been on the list for quite some time; strong console and handheld offerings will likely ensure it stays there.
- 12. Vivendi Games - Blizzard, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi, likely had just a little bit to do with the company's place on this list. In fact, feedback on the company basically indicated that Vivendi had little to offer outside of World of Warcraft prior to the merger - a moot point now.
- 15. NCSoft - The only all-MMO company on the list, here's hoping they stay on the list; user feedback was indicative of the big changes and transitions at the company.
- 18. Codemasters - Primarly known for non-MMOs, this EU company acts as the 'across the pond' publisher for a number of US MMOs.
It's worth noting that Activision and Vivendi are listed as seperate entities for the purposes of this list. To be sure, Activision/Blizzard will almost certainly be near the top of this list come 2009. Read on through to the Gamastura site for
full analysis of these mighty game makers.
