Best AA Studio — 25 verified

AA studios sit between solo indie and big-publisher AAA — 20-100 person teams shipping commercial titles with mid-budget production values.

• Psyonix — California. Founded 2000 in San Diego. Developers of Rocket League (2015), acquired by Epic Games in 2019 but continuing to operate as its own studio focused on Rocket League live ops. Based in San Diego, Califor
• Telltale (LCG Entertainment) — California. Telltale Games relaunched in 2018 by LCG Entertainment after the original Telltale closure. Malibu HQ. Currently working on The Wolf Among Us 2 and The Expanse: A Telltale Series. Based in Malibu, Cal
• Pipeworks Studios — Oregon. Founded 1999 in Eugene by Dan White and Dan Duncalf. Shipped 125+ games including the Godzilla fighting trilogy, console ports of Terraria, and Prince of Persia ports. Based in Eugene, Oregon. AA stud
• Studio Wildcard — Washington. Redmond indie founded 2014 by Doug and Susan Kennedy. Made ARK: Survival Evolved (2017) and ARK: Survival Ascended (2023). Self-published with 35M+ copies sold. Based in Redmond, Washington. AA studio
• PopCap Games — Washington. Seattle studio founded 2000 (EA-owned since 2011) but indie-rooted. Made casual classics Bejeweled, Peggle, Plants vs. Zombies, and Zuma. Based in Seattle, Washington. AA studios sit between solo indi
• ProbablyMonsters — Washington. Bellevue studio holding founded 2016 by Harold Ryan (ex-Bungie). Houses Cauldron Studios, Firewalk Studios (Concord), and others. Based in Bellevue, Washington. AA studios sit between solo indie and b
• Iron Galaxy Studios — Illinois. Founded 2008 by Dave Lang in Chicago. One of the largest US independent developers, with additional offices in Orlando FL and Nashville TN. Lead-developed Killer Instinct seasons 2-3 and Rumbleverse p
• Velan Studios — New York. Troy NY studio founded 2016 by Guha and Karthik Bala (Vicarious Visions founders). Created Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020) and Knockout City (2021). Based in Troy, New York. AA studios sit betwee
• Stoic Studio — Texas. Austin indie founded 2012 by ex-BioWare devs. Created The Banner Saga trilogy (2014-2018) and is developing Towerborne with Xbox Game Studios. Based in Austin, Texas. AA studios sit between solo indie
• Airship Syndicate — Texas. Austin studio founded 2014 by ex-Vigil Games staff including Joe Madureira. Made Battle Chasers: Nightwar (2017), Darksiders Genesis (2019), Ruined King (2021), and Wayfinder (2023). Based in Austin,
• Certain Affinity — Texas. Austin's largest independent developer (founded 2006). Co-developed Halo Infinite, Doom Eternal, Call of Duty multiplayer, and Last Stop. Also developing original IP. Based in Austin, Texas. AA studio
• Armature Studio — Texas. Austin indie founded 2008 by Retro Studios veterans. Co-developed Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Resident Evil Revelations, Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate, and Until Dawn for PC. Based in Austin, Te
• Robot Entertainment — Texas. Plano studio founded 2009 by Ensemble Studios alumni. Made Age of Empires Online, the Orcs Must Die series, and ReadySet Heroes. Based in Plano, Texas. AA studios sit between solo indie and big-publis
• Gearbox Software — Texas. Frisco TX independent (now part of Take-Two) founded 1999 by Randy Pitchford. The Borderlands franchise, Brothers in Arms, and Battleborn. Based in Frisco, Texas. AA studios sit between solo indie and
• Hi-Rez Studios — Georgia. Founded 2005 in Alpharetta by Erez Goren and Todd Harris. One of the largest Southeast studios. Creators of SMITE, Paladins, Tribes: Ascend, and Rogue Company. Based in Alpharetta, Georgia. AA studios
• Tripwire Interactive — Georgia. Roswell GA developer/publisher founded 2005 by John Gibson and Alan Wilson. Made Red Orchestra, the Killing Floor series, Rising Storm, and Maneater. Based in Roswell, Georgia. AA studios sit between
• Demiurge Studios — Massachusetts. Cambridge studio founded 2002. Co-developer for Riot, Epic, and EA, plus own titles like Marvel Puzzle Quest. Currently part of Saber Interactive. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. AA studios sit bet
• Dire Wolf Digital — Colorado. Denver studio of 100+ designers, artists and engineers. Built Pokemon TCG Online, Elder Scrolls: Legends, Eternal, Clank! Legacy, and Dune: Imperium digital. Based in Denver, Colorado. AA studios sit
• IllFonic — Colorado. Founded 2007 with studios in Lakewood CO, Tacoma WA, and Austin TX. Developed Friday the 13th: The Game, Predator: Hunting Grounds, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space.
• Iron Galaxy Nashville — Tennessee. Iron Galaxy's Nashville office (25,694 sq ft at 333 Commerce, leased 2024). One of three Iron Galaxy locations alongside Chicago and Orlando. Based in Nashville, Tennessee. AA studios sit between solo
• Stardock — Michigan. Plymouth MI indie founded 1991 by Brad Wardell. Made the Galactic Civilizations series, Sins of a Solar Empire, and Ashes of the Singularity. Based in Plymouth, Michigan. AA studios sit between solo i
• Shiver Entertainment — Florida. Miami studio founded 2012. Specializes in Switch ports and original work, including the Mortal Kombat 1 Switch port (2023). Acquired by Behaviour Interactive in 2024. Based in Miami, Florida. AA studi
• Iron Galaxy Orlando — Florida. Iron Galaxy's Orlando office — one of three IG locations (Chicago HQ, Orlando, Nashville). Based in Orlando, Florida. AA studios sit between solo indie and big-publisher AAA - 20-100 person teams ship
• Sumo Tampa — Florida. Sumo Digital's Tampa office. Co-developed Crackdown 3 and Hood: Outlaws and Legends. Embracer-owned but operates indie-style. Based in Tampa, Florida. AA studios sit between solo indie and big-publish
• Something Wicked Games — Maryland. Independent RPG studio founded by creative leads from Fallout 3, New Vegas, Fallout 4, Skyrim, and The Outer Worlds. Based in Towson, Maryland. AA studios sit between solo indie and big-publisher AAA

Frequently asked