Microsoft Studios
History[edit] Microsoft Game Studios logo (2002-2011) 2006[edit] 2007[edit] 2008[edit] Microsoft Studios disbands casual games studio Carbonated Games.Microsoft Studios announces the formation of Xbox Live Productions to develop "high-quality digital content" for Xbox Live Arcade.[4]Microsoft Studios begins recruiting for 343 Industries to take over development of the Halo franchise after the former developer, Bungie, regained independent status. 343 Industries was first officially revealed as steward of the Halo series in mid-2009 with the announcement of the animated project, Halo Legends. 2009[edit] 2010[edit] 2011[edit] Microsoft Studios opens new development studios in Soho London, Redmond, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia.[10][11][12]Microsoft Studios acquires indie game developer Twisted Pixel Games, known for developing titles including 'Splosion Man and The Gunstringer.[13][14] 2012[edit] 2013[edit] 2014[edit] Software development studios[edit] Owned franchises and properties[edit]
Electronic Arts
History[edit] EA continued its shift toward digital goods in 2012, folding its mobile-focused EA Interactive (EAi) division "into other organizations throughout the company, specifically those divisions led by EA Labels president Frank Gibeau, COO Peter Moore, and CTO Rajat Taneja, and EVP of digital Kristian Segerstrale."[12] 1982–1991[edit] In February 1982, Trip Hawkins arranged a meeting with Don Valentine of Sequoia Capital[13] to discuss financing his new venture, Amazin' Software. Electronic Arts' original corporate logo, 1982–2000. For more than seven months, Hawkins refined his Electronic Arts business plan. He recruited his original employees from Apple, Atari, Xerox PARC, and VisiCorp, and got Steve Wozniak to agree to sit on the board of directors.[14] Hawkins was determined to sell directly to buyers. In December 1986, David Gardner and Mark Lewkaspais moved to the UK to open a European headquarters. 2000–2007[edit] EA is currently[when?] 2007[edit] 2008–present[edit]
Ubisoft
Company details[edit] Ubisoft is the third independent publisher of video games worldwide.[1] Ubisoft Entertainment S.A’s worldwide presence includes 29 studios in 19 countries.[1] The company has subsidiaries in 26 countries.[3] Ubisoft's largest development studio is Ubisoft Montreal in Canada, which employs about 2,100 people.[4] In Ubisoft’s 2008–2009 fiscal year, the company’s revenue was €1.256 billion, reaching the 1 billion euro milestone for the first time in the company’s history. Ubisoft created its own film division, called Ubisoft Motion Pictures, which creates shows and films based on the company’s games.[5] History[edit] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ubisoft committed itself to online games by supporting Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, The Matrix Online, and the European and Chinese operation of EverQuest. The company is noted for its teams of female game developers/testers, known as the Frag Dolls. Studios[edit] Current Defunct Games[edit] Uplay[edit] Controversies[edit]
Sega
Sega's head offices, as well as the main office of its domestic division, Sega Corporation (Japan), are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan. Sega's European division, Sega Europe Ltd., is headquartered in the Brentford area of London in the United Kingdom. Sega's North American division, Sega of America Inc., is headquartered in San Francisco, having moved there from Redwood City, California in 1999.[2][3] Sega Publishing Korea is headquartered in Jongno, Seoul, Korea. Sega's Australian & European operations outside of the United Kingdom closed on July 1, 2012 due to world economic pressures. Distribution of Sega products in Australia as of 1 July 2012 is handled by Five Star Games, made up of all the redundant employees from Sega Australia.[4] History Company origins (1940–1982) SEGA Diamond 3 Star Sega's roots can be traced back to a company based in Honolulu, Hawaii named Service Games, which began operations in 1940. Entry into the home console market (1982–1989) Expansion (1989–2001) Saturn
Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard headquarters (Activision's headquarters in Santa Monica) Activision Blizzard, Inc. is the American holding company for Activision and Blizzard Entertainment. In 2009 Activision Blizzard was the world's second-largest gaming company by revenue after Nintendo.[4] History[edit] In December 2007, Activision announced that the company and its assets would merge with fellow games developer and publisher, Vivendi Games. In April 2008, the European Commission permitted the merger to take place. Activision and Blizzard Entertainment still exist as separate entities.[8] The holding company does not publish games under its central name and instead uses its subsidiaries to publish games, similar to how Vivendi Games operated before the merger.[9] The merger makes Activision parent company of Vivendi Games' former divisions until July 24, 2013. Results of the merger[edit] Split from Vivendi[edit] Studios[edit] Current[edit] Defunct[edit] Sold[edit] References[edit] External links[edit]
The Big Players
