Chicago is home to a thriving game development industry, with many talented companies creating innovative and engaging games for players all around the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top five game development companies based in Chicago.
1. Epic Games
Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, is one of the most well-known game development companies in the world. With over 200 million registered players and counting, Fortnite has become a cultural phenomenon. However, it wasn’t always that way. In fact, Epic Games was founded in 1991 as EPIC Software, and it was not until 2017 that the company released Fortnite, which quickly became one of the most popular games in the world. Today, Epic Games is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, but they still have a strong presence in Chicago, where they maintain offices for business development and marketing.
2. High Moon Studios
High Moon Studios is another up-and-coming game development company based in Chicago. The company was founded in 2008 and has since released several successful games, including MadWorld and Saints Row IV. In fact, High Moon Studios’ parent company, Ubisoft, is one of the largest game development companies in the world. However, despite their parent company’s size, High Moon Studios remains a relatively small operation with only around 100 employees.
3. Zoetic Games
Zoetic Games is a newer game development company based in Chicago, founded in 2015 by a team of experienced developers who had previously worked on popular games like World of Warcraft and Diablo II. The company’s flagship game is a medieval fantasy adventure called "Eternal Exile," which has received positive reviews from both critics and players alike. Zoetic Games also recently released a mobile version of the game, which has been downloaded over 5 million times.
4. Playdom
Playdom was another Chicago-based game development company that made a big splash in the gaming world. Founded in 2008, Playdom quickly became one of the largest social gaming companies on Facebook, with games like FarmVille and CityVille reaching millions of players around the world. However, in 2011, Playdom was acquired by Disney for $763 million, and the company’s offices in Chicago were closed soon after.
5. Gigantic Games
Gigantic Games is a game development company that was founded in 2014 by a team of experienced developers who had previously worked on popular games like World of Warcraft and Diablo II. The company’s flagship game is "Overwatch," which has received critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay and engaging characters. Gigantic Games also recently released a mobile version of Overwatch, which has been downloaded over 5 million times.
In conclusion, Chicago is home to some of the most talented game development companies in the world. From Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, to Zoetic Games, a newer company with a strong focus on mobile gaming, these companies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the gaming industry. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just starting out, there’s no shortage of great games being developed right here in Chicago.