These 10 game developers that changed the industry:
Traveller’s Tales (now TT Games)
Starting back in the mid-’80s, Traveller’s Tales has created a number of iconic games, but it’s their work on movie franchise adaptations that really revolutionised the industry. Beginning with the original Lego Star Wars back in 2005, Traveller’s Tales has been putting their own spin on popular movie franchises like Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Indiana Jones for years, and it’s hard to imagine a future without them.
Though some might argue that Traveller’s Tales’ games have been gradually declining in quality, there’s no denying the impact that the Lego games have had on gaming as a whole. They’ve shown that even the most boring and action-light movie franchises can be made into excellent games, and that games based on toy lines can be good, too.
Remedy, led by Sam Lake
Before the likes of Alan Wake and Quantum Break changed the way narrative-driven games were approached, Remedy laid the groundwork for modern gaming with the original Max Payne. It was the first game to really utilise the “bullet time” mechanic, which is now standard in games like Devil May Cry and more.
Remedy also has a tried and tested history of excellent, story-led games. With Sam Lake at the helm, Remedy has created a unique style of storytelling that’s both compelling and full of twists and turns. Games like Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and the upcoming Spirit of Vengeance are full of memorable characters, memorable stories, and an unforgettable world, too.
Capcom
Resident Evil is one of the most important series in gaming. Launching back in 1996, it laid the groundwork for the modern survival horror genre, and still has games that are considered among the best in the genre.
From the claustrophobic environments, to the limited supplies and ammo, to the classic zombies, Resident Evil created a unique and immersive world that has had a huge impact on games like Gears of War and Uncharted, as well as countless other horror games.
FromSoftware
FromSoftware is known for a number of excellent games, but their Soulsborne titles really changed the way people play games. From Dark Souls to Bloodborne, the Soulsborne titles have created a new genre of challenging, lore-rich games that have become hugely popular with gamers. From the excellent combat mechanics to the sprawling, mysterious worlds, there’s a reason why FromSoftware has inspired a new generation of developers, and why we’re still playing their games today.
BioWare
BioWare has long been known for its excellent storytelling and narrative-driven games, but it’s the studio’s LGBTQ+ romance options that have really changed the game. From Mass Effect’s Commander Shepard to Dragon Age’s Dorian and Krem, there are LGBTQ+ characters in BioWare games spanning several decades now, and that’s had a huge impact on the games industry as a whole.
Valve
Valve’s Half-Life and Portal games changed the FPS genre and introduced iconic characters. Half-Life, especially, is still widely considered one of the best games ever, bringing more immersive storytelling to the FPS genre, along with physics-based puzzles and combat.
Along with the Left 4 Dead games, Portal helped popularise narrative-driven games with branching storylines and a sense of replayability. Games like Life is Strange, Beyond Eyes, and the upcoming Ghost Song are just a few of the countless games inspired by the likes of Portal and Half-Life.
Epic Games
The Unreal Engine has had a huge impact on the games industry, with countless games using the engine behind it, from Fortnite to Halo: Infinite. But, arguably Epic’s most important contribution to gaming is the Battle Royale phenomenon Fortnite.
Since its release, the genre has exploded in popularity, with countless games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Halo: Infinite having their own take on the genre, and even developers like Ubisoft changing the way their games play with Siege Royale. Games like Halo Infinite wouldn’t be possible without Epic, and that’s quite an impact.
Telltale Games
Telltale Games made a name for itself by popularising narrative-driven games with branching storylines and replayability, inspiring countless games like Life is Strange, Beyond Eyes, and Ghost Song.
With games like The Walking Dead and Batman: The Enemy Within, Telltale has changed how we approach games, while also making a name for itself with games based on popular franchises like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Borderlands.
id Software
id Software laid the foundations for the entire FPS genre with Wolfenstein and Doom, and then kicked it into overdrive with the launch of the original Quake. With its fast-paced, frantic action and brutal, satisfying combat, Quake redefined what was possible in an FPS game.
From the excellent level design, to the creative use of gravity and movement, Quake created a blueprint that’s still used to this day.
