Top 5 most dependable publishers
Intro
There are upwards of 50 major video-game publishers in the world that identify, finance and sometimes develop the best new games. As a whole, these publishers and their "friends" released more than 2,000 titles last year. That's a lot of games.
While it's important to evaluate individual games on their own merit — especially since they're made by different people — it's helpful to know who publishes them. Granted, these companies are often more concerned with commercial opportunities than creative ones. But on average (and I stress the word "average"), the following are the publishers you can most depend on to produce fun games.
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EA Sports
"Madden"
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No. 5: Electronic Arts
As the most prolific and active publisher, Electronic Arts has a bumpy past. For a while there, the company seemed to release anything that came across its desk. But in the last couple of years, Electronic Arts has become not only one of the most frequent publishers, but one of the best. And that deserves recognition.
From proven favorites such as "Madden," "Sims" and "Burnout" to fresh games such as "Rock Band," "Dead Space" and "Alice," there's a lot to like in their catalog.
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Valve
"Team Fortress"
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No. 4: Valve Corporation
Founded in 1996, Valve hasn't released a lot of games to date. In fact, they've released only six franchises if you count notable spin-offs ("Half-Life," "Portal," "Left 4 Dead," "Counter-Strike," "Team Fortress" and "Day of Defeat"). But man, does this calculated little company have the Midas touch. Their no-nonsense approach to design and pricing — not to mention the way they enable user-generated content — are positively modern. When Valve releases a game, take serious note.
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Valve
"Team Fortress"
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No. 4: Valve Corporation
Founded in 1996, Valve hasn't released a lot of games to date. In fact, they've released only six franchises if you count notable spin-offs ("Half-Life," "Portal," "Left 4 Dead," "Counter-Strike," "Team Fortress" and "Day of Defeat"). But man, does this calculated little company have the Midas touch. Their no-nonsense approach to design and pricing — not to mention the way they enable user-generated content — are positively modern. When Valve releases a game, take serious note.
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Rockstar Games
"Grand Theft Auto IV"
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No. 3: Rockstar Games
I'll let you in on a little secret: "Grand Theft Auto" would be just as fun were it renamed "Sandbox City" and given a G-rating. It wouldn't sell as much without the shock value. It wouldn't be able to parody the ugly side of America like it does. And it certainly wouldn't let you run over pedestrians.
But it would still be a living, breathing, and incredibly polished game, like all of Rockstar's other hits, including "Max Payne," "Midnight Club," "Red Dead Revolver" and "Bully." The most controversial video-game publisher ever is also one of the most talented.
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Sony
"Shadow of the Colossus"
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No. 2: Sony Computer Entertainment
It was only natural for Sony to start making games in 1995. They dominated music. Through acquisitions, they had become a major film studio. And they knew electronics. So they released the PlayStation. Then they supported it with all manner of in-house awesomeness, from "Gran Turismo," "Ratchet and Clank" and "SOCOM" to recent hits such as "God of War," "Shadow of the Colossus" and "Uncharted." Where Nintendo is playful, Sony is sophisticated.
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Nintendo
"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess"
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No. 1: Nintendo
_______________ Decent LIST but how are R* & Valve "publishers"....just wondering overall ana ccurate list imo, I'd put square-enix in there though
Surprise! Who did you expect at no. 1? Having published nearly 700 games in its storied history, Nintendo's library reads like the "Who's Who" of video games: "Donkey Kong," "Super Mario Bros.," "Zelda," "Punch-Out," "Kirby," "Mario Kart," "Pokemon," "Wii Fit," "Nintendogs," "Metroid," "Wii Sports." I could go on.
Sure they release a lot of sequels and an occasional stinker. And they don't get the best marks from die-hard gamers these days. But no one publisher is more innovative, forward-thinking and inviting than Nintendo when it comes to game design.
