Considering Atlanta is known for its status as a burgeoning entertainment capital, it’s no surprise that the city boasts a large number of gaming professionals. According to reports, the video game market in America was estimated at $17.69 billion in 2016, with the global market valued at $75 billion that same year. Esports in particular have increased in popularity, leading to the rise of games like Fortnite, League of Legends and Overwatch.
In truth, Atlanta has been at the heart of the world’s growing love for interactive entertainment. The city even hosts the world’s largest digital festival, DreamHack, which attracts over 39,000 players each year. Atlanta is undoubtedly a mecca for serious gamers and developers, which is why it’s no surprise that the city is home to numerous gaming companies. From hosting amateur tournaments to developing multiplayer games, these companies are keeping the gaming tradition alive and innovative. Here’s a look at gaming companies in Atlanta making an impact on interactive entertainment.
Gaming Companies In Atlanta To Know
- Skillshot Media
- Blue Mammoth Games
- Hi-Rez Studios
- Thrust Interactive
- Dragon Army
- Tripwire Interactive
- Brikym Game Studio
- Launch Media Network
Founded: 2015
Focus: Fantasy Sports
What they do: PrizePicks operates a fantasy sports gaming platform based on professional sports leagues like the NBA and NFL. Bringing together the well-known practices of sports betting and fantasy leagues with new statistics and betting technologies, the company allows customers to choose specific athletes and place bets on their over/under game performances, statistics and totals, playing for real money.
Founded: 2013
Focus: Mobile Game Development
What they do: Founded by Jeff Hilimire and Ryan P. Tuttle, Dragon Army develops games specifically for mobile devices. Boasting a team of developers, designers and marketers, the company seeks to create powerful experiences that deepen emotional connections and amplify impact. Dragon Army works with a diverse range of brands including Coca-Cola, the American Cancer Society, Delta Airlines and United Way.
Founded: 2005
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Tripwire Interactive is an entertainment software developer and publisher that creates multiplayer games. The company’s portfolio of games includes “Man Eater,” “Chivalry II,” “Killing Floor: Incursion,” “Espire 1: VR Operative” and “Road Redemption.” Located in Roswell, Tripwire Interactive announced a new publishing division in 2018 designed to help other independent studios bring their games to market.
Founded: 2013
Focus: Networking for Gamers
What they do: Launch Media Network empowers gamers to create their own gaming content, connecting game developers with publishers. The company’s publishing platform, GameSkinny, enables industry experts to share their knowledge with the gaming community, while Gamer Launch serves as a social networking platform for gamers. Since its inception, Launch Media Network has acquired more than four million registered users.
Founded: 2005
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Located in nearby Alpharetta, Hi-Rez Studios is a video game studio that provides online interactive entertainment. The company’s collection of games include MOBA SMITE, Paladins, Realm Royale, Rogue Company and RPG SMITE Blitz. With the aim to be trailblazers of the cross-play movement, Hi-Rez Studios boasts more than 70 million players worldwide on PC, mobile and console.
Founded: 2019
Focus: Esports
What they do: Skillshot Media conducts online and offline video game competitions. The company operates a wide range of competitions, from grassroots amateur tournaments to professional global leagues and live arena events, supported by industry-leading video production and active community management. Skillshot Media has so far delivered over one billion esports video views.
Founded: 2009
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Founded by Lincoln Hamilton and Matt Woomer, Blue Mammoth Games is an independent game development studio that specializes in multiplayer video games. The company developed and published the free-to-play fighting game, Brawlhalla, which boasts over five million players. Blue Mammoth is guided by the aim to create faster, more casual multiplayer games.
Founded: 2003
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Persuasive Games is an independent developer of games for advertising, corporate learning, education and political outreach. The company has developed a variety of games such as Colorfall, a puzzle game that promotes cognitive health and physical activity, and Debt Ski, a game that teaches about savings and the consequences of debt. Persuasive Games’ client base includes CNN, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Royal Caribbean International and Turner Broadcasting.
Founded: 2008
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Backed by a team of game developers, behavioral designers and research scientists, Thrust Interactive is an independent game studio and third-party developer of mobile and online games. With over 100 product launches, the company is guided by a GameScience philosophy, which applies an outcome-based approach to create socially responsible games. Thrust Interactive’s collection of games includes Hemonauts, which teaches kids disease literacy and healthy habits, as well as Treks, a health management app for adults and kids.
Founded: 2019
Focus: Mobile Game Development
What they do: Lionheart Games is a mobile game studio that develops anime-focused games. Unlike other game developers, the company develops games in small, independent teams. Lionheart Games aims to create innovative, high-performance games that can be enjoyed by players for the long term.
Founded: 2011
Focus: Advergaming
What they do: Located in nearby Roswell, Gamelin Advergames creates online advergames and develops interactive marketing strategies. The company creates casual, online games with interactive content that can be effectively and economically adapted for various uses. Gamelin Advergames has developed games for a variety of clients including Macy’s, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Ford and Pfizer.
Founded: 1996
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: GamesThatWork specializes in developing games that help players improve performance in real-world challenges. Utilizing player-centric research, the company integrates the rewards and challenges of a game with its learning objectives, which has proven to be effective in various domains like engineering, entrepreneurship and intelligence analysis. The company’s client base includes Boeing, AT&T, Smithsonian Institution and the National Science Foundation.
Founded: 2007
Focus: Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Xaviant is a game design and development company that specializes in creating AAA games. The company is backed by various tech companies such as Crytek, Epic, Autodesk and AudioKinetic. Xaviant’s past games include “The Culling” and “Don’t Die, Minerva!”
Founded: 2005
Focus: Casino Entertainment
What they do: Located in the neighboring town of Duluth, AGS develops a diverse array of entertainment gaming experiences. The company specializes in social casino solutions for players and operators including slot games and cabinets and real-money gaming platforms and content. AGS is the second largest supplier of Class II games in the world.
Founded: 2009
Focus: Indie Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Located in the neighboring town of Acworth, Greater Good Games is an indie game development studio. The company raises funds for good causes by developing casual games, donating proceeds from every sale to the charity Doctors Without Borders. The company’s portfolio of games includes “It Hungers!” and "Break Blocks."
Founded: 2015
Focus: Mobile Game Development
What they do: Founded by Brain Ollison and Kym Pressley, Brikym Game Studio specializes in developing mobile games. The company is driven by the aim to inspire kids to pursue STEM careers, offering workshops that cover game development skills. Brikym has developed its own game, “The Kingdom of Kuru,” which is available on iOS devices.
Founded: 2012
Focus: Indie Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Established by Scott McCutchen, Soverance Studios is an independent game development company that also helps small businesses solve problems in the cloud. With a focus on the gaming industry, the company specializes in automated hybrid-cloud infrastructure design and deployment. Soverance Studios’ portfolio of games includes “Ethereal Legends,” “Endless Reach” and “CTF-Elemental.”
Founded: 2009
Focus: Indie Game Development + Publishing
What they do: Strange Games Studios is an indie game studio located just north of Atlanta. The company specializes in developing 3D games and has begun working on VR game production. Strange Games Studios initially produced games for the Xbox 360 and has since created games for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One.
