I wold say the topmost tier of video game developers needs to be a company that has created more than just one series of games (e.g. Firaxis, Bethesda) since it shows true talent to span the breadth of genres and still come out on top. With that in mind, I think I'd have to say the top developers in my book are:
VALVe - I credit them with never making a bad game, even if I'm not a big Counterstrike/TF2 kind of guy. Not only that, but the Half-Life 2/Episodes 1 and 2 series is hands-down what I consider to be the best game continuum of all time. No other title has perfectly matched story and ambience to gameplay to intrigue to level design to art direction. Literally a perfect series, or as perfect as any game has managed to be thus far.
BioWare - I know a lot of people are knocking BioWare, but I think you all should dial it back a bit and really look at the games they're producing. The only reason people (myself included) are harsh on games like Mass Effect 2 at all is because despite their overall objective excellence, they do not quite measure up to the relative flawlessness of their earlier titles (e.g. KOTOR). I think they still have yet to make an objectively *bad* game... Dragon Age 2 is more polarizing than people let on - some folks really enjoyed it! And remember, Pixar is still considered one of the best, if not the best, film studio right now and they made both Cars *and* Cars 2.
Blizzard - Again, I am certainly not a fan of all of Blizzard's efforts - I was never able to get into StarCraft or its sequel and I'm not really a fork-your-money-over-monthly MMO kind of guy. Having said that, Blizzard has *never* made a bad game. Ever. They're pretty much perfect. Also, Warcraft III has a special place in my RTS-loving heart as it was the first major game I ever really got sucked into.
Rockstar - I might not have included Rockstar a few years ago since they didn't used to really match my criteria, but since they've started branching out with games like LA Noire and the absolutely breathtaking Red Dead Redemption, I'd say Rockstar has solidified itself as a top-tier studio. If you've played a Rockstar game, you know the incredible thought, wit, and design that goes into any one of their titles. They're absolutely impeccable game creators.
ThatGameCompany - I know they've only released two games so far, but I feel TGC is probably the most *important* developers thus far, and they get top-tier status for being the only small indie studio to truly break gaming conventions in the most meaningful way possible. flOw was an interesting experiment with ambient games that provided some challenge matched with solid gameplay and emotion. Flower was one of the greatest, most emotional, and most revolutionary experience I've ever had with a game - it literally changed my view of the medium. Playing God of War, my favorite series, and following it up with Flower, is a true mindf***.
And with Journey on the way, I fell they are only going to continue this trend.
Modifié par kimonoko, 06 janvier 2012 - 05:30 .
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