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Top Video Game Franchises That Shaped the Last Decade

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The gaming ecosystem is more extensive than most people imagine. Many “casuals” consider video gaming and gamers outcasts and unserious folks. However, video game fans grew this ecosystem larger than most other entertainment spaces. Fans are passionate about the titles they play, but which of them has the most dedicated and financially buoyant fan base? Let’s find out together.

PlayersUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)

Many people outside the gaming space may not know much about this game, but it ended up as one of the fastest-growing titles in history. PlayersUnknown’s Battlegrounds launched via Steam on December 20, 2017, and in over two years, it outsold all but two games. It’s incredible to know that this title had only two years to rack up sales during the period under review (2010s), but it sold at least 70 million units. PUBG took the world by storm when it launched, and its mobile version caught the fancy and attention of gamers globally like never before.

It’s not an easy feat to garner so many downloads to become the fifth (5th) highest-selling game in history a few years after its launch. The gaming growth expanded beyond the video gaming space; casino games also recorded incredible growth, making many people lots of money. One of the key drivers of casino gaming growth was the improvement of online casino games. People could stake and win on their favorite casino games on platforms like Spin City from anywhere in the world. The user experiences weren’t great in the beginning, but it’s better than it has ever been in 2024.

Grand Theft Auto (V)

Rockstar Games created one of the most impactful and successful franchises in entertainment history. Many Gen Zs and Millenials grew up playing at least one of the GTA installments. The latest iteration of this wildly successful franchise was released in September 2013 to unbelievable fanfare and pomp. The game generated almost $1 billion in sales during the first three days. Before its launch, there was no doubt about its success; the only question was whether it could eclipse its previous records (when adjusted for inflation). Suffice to say that GTA V did not disappoint its makers financially.

It has been 11 years since GTA V’s launch, and although it’s a great game, loyal fans want something newer and more exciting. Fans have never had to wait this long between games, suggesting a shift in Rockstars priorities and business goals. GTA VI has been in the works for too long, but if Rockstar ends up getting their act together by releasing it soon, it will most likely eclipse all previous sales and revenue records. Studios fully accepted micro-transactions in the 2010s, opening up an incredible revenue source they were never able to access. It might not make much financial sense to invest in new games anytime soon.

Minecraft

Minecraft successfully evolved from a game to a cultural phenomenon. Minecraft being the most successful video game in the 2010s was not unexpected, but it seems counter-intuitive. Many video games invest in having the best storylines, graphics, gameplay, and interconnectivity, but Minecraft spends a lot to maintain its blocky 1990s feel. As a non-gamer, you might find it hard to believe that the most successful entertainment product during the last decade was Minecraft. There are millions of people globally who swear by this title. Entire digital cities have been built on this game; there are digital countries and all sorts of virtual mega-projects that require millions of hours of human power over a few months or years.

When Mojang released this game in 2011, few expected it to sell more than 200 million units by the end of the decade. Minecraft is the highest-selling video game of all time, and it’s not close. The gaming ecosystem isn’t complicated — there’s something for everybody. You’ll be spoiled by the sheer number of titles available to enjoy for free. This game promises to be among the top sellers in the 2020s.

Honorable Mentions

Here are some of the best-selling games by units sold in the last decade. You might be surprised!

  • Mario Kart 8: This game sold more than 44 million units during the last decade.
  • Red Ded Redemption 2: RDD2 has sold 37 million units since its release in 2018.
  • Terraria: It launched in 2011 and sold 35 million units.
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Another unexpected entry in the list sold 32.5 million units in the 2010s.
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Launched on September 11, 2011, and shipped over 30 million units.
  • Diablo III: Launched in 2012 and sold over 30 million units.

What’s Next for Gaming?

The video game industry hasn’t shown signs of slowing its growth anytime soon. The next generation of titles will be “free-to-play” but “play-to-earn” as most studios fully embrace in-game micro-transactions. The sales numbers from the 2020s are on course to eclipse those from the 2010s.