Most Important Game Companies..and how the industry has changed.

[TheSource]

I based the most important companies on how much they contribute to the awesome content of the generation. Sega, whether you like them or not, still pops out amazing games. Last generation we saw Panzer Dragoon Orta, Shinobi, 2k sports games, PSO, Jet Set Radio Future. This generation..my gut just says Nights 2 will be great. Sonic is not beyond restoration...and I think they can come up with some new IP. Capcom has been awesome lately - Resident Evil 4 is pretty much the best game of the last generation. Okami, Viewtiful Joe, Monster Hunter, Megaman, Street Fighter, 1942, Red Dead Revolver (the wildwest game..am i thinking of the right game?), Resident Evil, are all among the best games I have ever played in their respective eras as new IP. I sincerely doubt Capcom won't come up with new IP this generation. Consider also that it is Capcom that is helping Microsoft above just about any Japanese (Lost Planet) in winning the West...Keep in mind too that as a publisher, Capcom introduced GTA pretty well into Japan. As for THQ, Activision, Namco-Bandai...they all produce regional, and specific console hits...but they are not really pushing the boundaries. THQ lives off its liscences (like the WWE games) which fund more expensive games that are new IP. Namco is trying to become a western game maker...but I would say the direction isn't working real well so far. Bandai is partially owned by Nintendo and Namco...so I didn't include it in consideration. Activision is good for producing mass-market games, but it isn't the kind of company that forces the industry forward with real innovative games (look at Guitar Hero...the design is pretty similar to DDR, except you strum instead of moving your feet)