Game Developer Magazine has released its annual Top 20 Publishers report. The report is a highly respected indicator of the current best game publishers in the world.
The research comprises of factors such as profitability, release counts, average review scores as well as anonymous feedback from development partners. Data was gathered between August 08 and July 09.
World publisher top 20 2009
1. Nintendo
2. Electronic Arts
3. Activision Blizzard
4. Ubisoft
5. Take-Two
6. Sony Computer Entertainment
7. Bethesda Softworks
8. THQ
9. Square Enix
10. Microsoft
11. Konami
12. Sega
13. Capcom
14. MTV Games
15. Namco Bandai Games
16. Warner Bros. Interactive
17. Disney Interactive
18. Atari
19. Atlus
20. LucasArts
Unsurprisingly, Nintendo took first place again. This is largely due to solid profit margins, regular releases and improved review feedback.
EA managed to hold on to second place, with stiff competition coming from Activision Blizzard who is responsible for respected franchises such as World of Warcraft, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Starcraft and Call of Duty. With big releases scheduled for most of its biggest franchises over the next year, it seems likely that Activison Blizzard will displace EA in 2010.
Bethesda Softworks enters the list for the first time, largely thanks to the critical and commercial success of Fallout 3.
Surprisingly, Sony came in higher than Microsoft. Sega dropped five places from last year as its games continue to see dwindling sales and poor review scores. THQ somehow manages to remain in the top ten despite challenges, from recent releases such as Dawn of War II and UFC 2009.
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