Support NeoGAF

[RetroGamingUK]

There’s been a lot of talking and arguing about the state of first party publishers this last couple of years.

Nintendo are on fire as always, Sony have dipped slightly due to the GaaS push, and no one knowns what to make of Microsoft and its acquired studios.

But what about third parties?

Note 1: Apologies if your choice wasn’t in the poll, I tried to include the biggest ones so there may be a few smaller indie ones missing

Note 2: While owned by Microsoft, I included Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda as they have released many games independently this generation

 

[RetroGamingUK]

My top 3


1. Capcom

What can I say, Resident Evil 4 remake is probably my game of the generation and Resident Evil Village isn’t too far behind. Street Fighter has had a fantastic return to form. With Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil IX, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Okami 2 on the way they could be on course to have their best generation yet.


2. Bandai Namco

Elden Ring (developed by FromSoftware) seems to be a lot of people’s pick for game of the generation. As for me, it’s Tekken 8 as my most played game this generation thanks to the series finally getting a great online mode that tipped the scale for me. Can’t wait for Ace Combat 8


3. Square-Enix

Half way through the generation and already two fantastic Final Fantasy games that have, after 2 generations of being ignored by myself have bought me right back into the series. Can’t wait for Kingdom Hearts 4.


Runners up: Sega/Atlus, Konami

 

[Hollowpoint5557]

 

[Mibu no ookami]

It's going to be very interesting to see a large number of people say Capcom despite only doing sequels, cross-gen games, and remakes.

 

[TintoConCasera]

 

[Interfectum]

Xbox.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Xbox.

Did think about including them, but as far as I’m aware those games have been published under either the Activision label or the Bethesda label.

Of course if you want to vote for “Xbox” then I’d suggest voting for Activision-Blizzard, Bethesda, or both.

 

[Doom85]

Larian even if it’s for only one title.

Capcom comes in a very respectable second place.

 

[Hudo]

Sega, I'd say.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Seeing a lot of votes for them.

Could we have some clarification from you guys as to whether or not this is down to the Atlus developer RPGs please?

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Ubi cause they made Prince of Persia.

 

[Camreezie]

Capcom/ Sega and the rest are nowhere near close

 

[TintoConCasera]

Seeing a lot of votes for them.

Could we have some clarification from you guys as to whether or not this is down to the Atlus developer RPGs please?

Atlus makes my favorite JRPGs, but there's also Yakuza and the Vanillaware games.

There's probably more stuff but for me, those are enough to consider them the best.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Ehhh I always think it's weird to 'like' a publisher, outside of the platformholders, I suppose.
Never care about who publishes a game, really.

But for 3rd party I suppose Square-Enix and Activision, as I bought and enjoyed multiple games from them this gen.

Other than that it's mostly various 3rd party games from various publishers, or self-published afaik.

 

[Aenima]

Sega/ Atlus:

- LaD: Infinite Wealth
- Metaphor: Refantazio
- Unicorn Overlord
- Many other games and many more to come.

 

[nial]

I don't know, quite nothing to write home about. I didn't vote for Larian, but I think they would be the best overall when accounting for quality.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Easily Sega/Atlus in my case: SMTV:V, P3R, P5R, Metaphor, Lost Judgement, Yakuza LaD, 13 Sentinels and Unicorn Overlord (Vanillaware titles that were published by Atlus). I've also put a shitton of hours across FM 21 - FM 24 which is another Sega published series.

 

[nial]

Easily Sega/Atlus in my case: SMTV:V, P3R, P5R, Metaphor, Lost Judgement, Yakuza LaD, 13 Sentinels and Unicorn Overlord (Vanillaware titles that were published by Atlus). I've also put a shitton of hours across FM 21 - FM 24 which is another Sega published series.

13 Sentinels and Yakuza 7 are PS4 games from late 2019/early 2020, so I'm not sure if they would count? Yakuza 8 and Unicorn Overlord (which you did mention) are better choices.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

13 Sentinels and Yakuza 7 are PS4 games from late 2019/early 2020, so I'm not sure if they would count? Yakuza 8 and Unicorn Overlord (which you did mention) are better choices.

Looks like I'm getting old my man. Some of these release dates are starting to blend together since I've played all of them on current-gen machines.

 

[nial]

Looks like I'm getting old my man. Some of these release dates are starting to blend together since I've played all of them on current-gen machines.

 

[MadchesterManc]

Only D3 is giving us Earth Defense Force

 

[MayauMiao]

I can't think of any bigger impact than Capcom with this gen's Resident Evil 4 Remake, Street Fighter VI, Monster Hunter.

 

[ungalo]

I voted Capcom and i'm not even fond of what they're putting out lately so...not much competition.

I think Sega is on the right path but i can't say their releases excite me, yet. It might be different when all the revivals, Virtua Fighter etc. come out and it feels like Sega again.

 

[Hudo]

Most disappointing is EA, as always. Mainly because they barely put out any games. And if they actually manage to put out a game, it's mediocre at best. And they sit on a ton of awesome IPs with which they don't do anything.

 

[Sebastian1295]

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I voted Capcom and i'm not even fond of what they're putting out lately so...not much competition.

I think Sega is on the right path but i can't say their releases excite me, yet. It might be different when all the revivals, Virtua Fighter etc. come out and it feels like Sega again.

If Virtua Fighter 6 comes out this gen and is anything like this they could end up number 1 for me (providing Jet Set Radio 3 is great too)

 

[Gambit2483]

Stays winning, and Are the 3rd party lifeblood of this industry.

 

[_Ex_]

 

[Cakeboxer]

I say other: Microsoft, because although different labels Bethesda and Activision belong to them. Capcom is second.

 

[Mr Moose]

From the games I've played this gen, probably Activision and Square for me.

 

[Hollowpoint5557]

Most disappointing is EA, as always. Mainly because they barely put out any games. And if they actually manage to put out a game, it's mediocre at best. And they sit on a ton of awesome IPs with which they don't do anything.

Dead Space Remake says hi. It's so good I almost voted EA just for that 1 game.

 

[HogIsland]

nintendo won't make it to this generation before 2035

 

[Windle Poons]

CTRL F 'Microsoft'

Hmmm...

 

[XXL]

Larian.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Excellent choice but outside of Japan their games are published by Bandai-Namco

 

[ExtendEmbraceExtinguish]

Msft due to combo of publishers.
If forced by list: actibliz due to cod hours

 

[Lionel Richie]

Sega, with Capcom a close second ONLY if we count DMC V SE.

 

[Hudo]

Dead Space Remake says hi. It's so good I almost voted EA just for that 1 game.

Yes. Dead Space Remake is indeed good. So is Command & Conquer Remastered Collection (EA made a far better remaster/remake than Blizzard ever did. Let that sink in.) But given EA's size, these kinds of releases are embarrassingly rare.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Xbox

 

[Astray]

Has to be Sega.

Consistent output with a coherent strategy and good collaboration with platform owners to promote games (Xbox for P3 Reload and Fantazio, PS for Sonic Generations).

If it weren't for Hyenas they'd have a near-perfect record.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Stays winning, and Are the 3rd party lifeblood of this industry.

 

[Danjin44]

 

[snapdragon]

Complete bias

Sega especially when VF6, JSR3 and Frontiers 2 comes out

 

[SmokedMeat]

I’d say Sony has been great. I’ve enjoyed Returnal, Ratchet and Clank, and Ghost of Tsushima.

Microsoft may take that spot though.

 

[Sephimoth]

Xbox

Beat me to it

 

[hemo memo]

Capcom, and it's not even close.

 

[Roman Empire]

Capcom and it's not even close.

 

[Loomy]

Capcom, and it's not even close.

 

[od-chan]

My first instinct was Bamco... but then I remembered they cancelled that MMO I was looking forward to, they messed up that one Tales remaste recently and haven't really provided much which I would appreciate them for. Yeah, Elden Ring, but that's like thanking Sony for funding Ghost of Yotei - it's guaranteed money.

Atlus... well, no, fuck Atlus for various reasons. I hate them more than I hate Square Enix even. Don't get me wrong, I love their creative people, I just hate everything about them as a corporation.

Capcom though, Capcom honestly did AMAZING this last couple of years. They actually managed to make Resident Evil great again, both Monster Hunters were awesome and they even made a Dragon's Dogma 2, even if the final game turned out to be not what everyone was hoping for. In that case I actually think that's more on Itsuno than on Capcom, so yeah, easily, hands down, Capcom.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Any generation:
CAPGODS