15. Disney

FY08 Revenue: $2,593M (consumer products segment), +19% (Rank: 6)
FY08 Operating Profit/Loss: $702M (Rank: 2)
Titles in Global Top 100: 6 (Rank: 5)
Units in Global Top 100: 7M (Rank: 7)
Review Average: 61% (Rank: 18)
 

Explanation of Ranking: Disney's game development and publishing is contained within its consumer products division, which makes evaluation of the videogame segment more difficult. We have taken into consideration external criteria like the data in our global top 100, where Disney accounted for six titles for a total of 7 million software units. (Note: Disney's fiscal year ends on 31 December, but the results given here report their revenue and operating profit computed as if the fiscal year ended on 31 March, for easier comparison with other companies.)

Disney Interactive Studios publishes many games which tie in with the larger Disney Corporation's various properties in other media. Blockbuster movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End generate enough interest on their own to ensure at least a modest success for the licensed videogame version. On top of that, Disney Interactive Studios has been produced several High School Musical and Hannah Montana games which appeal to consumers outside the hardcore demographic, especially on systems like the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

In 2007 Disney Interactive Studios produced its first in-house original property, Spectrobes. Both as a new title and a third-party game in the crowded Nintendo DS software market, Disney's role-playing game sold well. In November 2007 it even warranted republication in the form of a collector's edition. The studio has also published original titles from Q Entertainment, most notably Lumines and Lumines II and Every Extend Extra.

In 2008 Disney Interactive Studios published its first true next-generation title, Turok, using the Touchstone Games brand (borrowed from the Touchstone Pictures film label).

An apparently leaked memo has hinted at the studio's future: the Walt Disney Internet Group and Disney Interactive Studios will merge to form the Disney Interactive Media Group. How this will affect game publication and development going forward is yet unknown, as the Disney Corporation has made no comment on the leaked memo or possible internal changes.