How an outside idea reaches a company, in its own words · checked 2026-10-29
How to pitch a video game
Valve, Devolver Digital, PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox and others have a door anyone can use. Every other company here says no, or says nothing. Each one in its own words, with what you give up by sending it something.
“Take-Two Interactive closed the Gearbox Software acquisition on June 12, 2024. [ 6 ] [ 7 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2023
Devolver Digital · System Era Softworks (Astroneer) from its founders
“…In November of the same year, Devolver acquired Washington -based indie studio System Era Softworks, known for Astroneer, whom Devolver had attempted to acquire the publishing rights to years ago but failed.…” en.wikipedia.org
2022
Microsoft Xbox · Activision Blizzard from its shareholders $68.7 billion
“On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal, or approximately $95 per share.” en.wikipedia.org
2022
PlayStation · Bungie (Destiny) from its owners $3.6 billion
“Sony Interactive Entertainment completed its acquisition of Bungie in July 2022, valued at $3.6 billion, with Bungie remaining a multi-platform studio and publisher.…” en.wikipedia.org
2022
PlayStation · Haven Studios from founder Jade Raymond
“Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Jade Raymond 's Haven Studios in March 2022 and incorporating it as part of PlayStation Studios, making the studio Sony's first development team in Canada. [ 115 ]” en.wikipedia.org
“Take-Two Interactive announced in January 2022 its intent to buy Zynga for $12.7 billion. [ 20 ] The deal was completed in May 2022. [ 21 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Devolver Digital · Nerial (Reigns), Firefly Studios (Stronghold), Dodge Roll (Enter the Gungeon) from their founders
“…Subsequently, the company bought developer Nerial (the developer of the Reigns series) in April, Firefly Studios (Stronghold series) in June, and Dodge Roll (Enter the Gungeon) in July 2021.…” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Nintendo · Next Level Games from its owner-directors
“In January 2021, Nintendo announced that it had purchased Next Level Games after "A number of owner-directors recently determined that the time is right for them to sell their shares, and NLG therefore began exploring potential sale transactions".…” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Electronic Arts · Codemasters from its shareholders $1.2 billion
“"Codemasters Group Holdings plc" was the holding company of Codemasters, which was publicly traded and owned Codemasters until being purchased by EA in 2021 for $1.2 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Electronic Arts · Glu Mobile from its shareholders $2.4 billion
“As of April 2021, [ update ] Electronic Arts' largest acquisition is the purchase of Glu Mobile, for $2.4 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Epic Games · Mediatonic / Tonic Games Group (Fall Guys) from its founders
“Bailey and Croft established Tonic Games Group as a parent company for Mediatonic, The Irregular Corporation, and Fortitude Games, moving 35 employees to Tonic Games Group, while Mediatonic had a staff of 230.…” en.wikipedia.org
“In November 2021, Epic Games acquired Harmonix, a music game developer, for undisclosed terms.…” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Roblox · Guilded (chat platform) from Guilded, Inc. $90 million
“Guilded was a VoIP, instant messaging, and digital distribution platform designed & developed by Guilded, Inc. and was bought by Roblox Corporation on August 16, 2021, for $90 million with it now being considered an independent product group.…” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Devolver Digital · Croteam (Serious Sam) from its founders, long-time publishing partner
“Croteam employed approximately 40 people in 2020 and was acquired by its long-time publishing partner Devolver Digital in October 2020.” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Microsoft Xbox · ZeniMax Media (Bethesda) from its owners $7.5 billion
“In September 2020, Microsoft announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire ZeniMax and its subsidiaries for $7.5 billion.…” en.wikipedia.org
2019
PlayStation · Insomniac Games (Spider-Man) from its owners $229 million
“This would make Insomniac the 14th internal studio with Sony's SIE Worldwide Studios division.…” en.wikipedia.org
2019
Epic Games · Psyonix (Rocket League) from its owners
“On May 1, 2019, Epic Games announced its acquisition of Psyonix to undisclosed terms.” en.wikipedia.org
2017
Electronic Arts · Respawn Entertainment (Titanfall, Apex Legends) from its founders US$ 151 million in cash and up to US$164 million in equity
“In November 2017, Electronic Arts acquired the company for US$ 151 million in cash and up to US$164 million in equity. [ 21 ] The acquisition was completed on December 1, 2017. [ 22 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2016
Activision Blizzard · King (Candy Crush Saga) from its shareholders US$ 5.9 billion
“King was acquired by Activision Blizzard in February 2016 for US$ 5.9 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
“…On December 31, 2015, it was reported that "substantially all" of Major League Gaming's assets would be acquired by Activision Blizzard.…” en.wikipedia.org
2016
Ubisoft · Ketchapp (mobile games publisher) from its founders
“When Ketchapp was acquired by Ubisoft in September 2016, the company had more than 700 million downloads across their portfolio of games. [ 1 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2014
Microsoft Xbox · Mojang (Minecraft) from Markus Persson, Jakob Porsér and Carl Manneh $2.5 billion
“Microsoft announced its agreement to purchase Mojang for $2.5 billion on 15 September 2014.…” en.wikipedia.org
2012
Devolver Digital · Hotline Miami (publishing deal) from Dennaton Games (Jonatan Söderström and Dennis Wedin)
“The first playable version was created within the first week of development after Söderström assembled the basics, including a temporary soundtrack.…” en.wikipedia.org
2010
PlayStation · Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet) from its founders
“On March 2, 2010, video game developer Media Molecule, developers of the PlayStation 3 game LittleBigPlanet, was acquired by SCEI as part of Worldwide Studios.…” en.wikipedia.org
