If you know anything about Hispanics, you know their culture is rich, and there is not a moment of boredom. So, you can guess what it means when you see a Hispanic name behind a video game.
As a Latino, I always felt very proud when I noticed a Latino game development studio. In fact, I would do everything in my power to play the game and advocate it for others. Later, I realized Hispanic game development studios do not actually need any introduction. They are not only flourishing and thriving but also making the best games.
Recently, I came across some of the best Latino gaming studios. Although most of these gaming studios are quite popular in the industry, however, it is also notable that they generally invest in indie games that are quite fun but are not as well-known as the big leagues.
So if you also love unappreciated and rare games, you must know about the gaming studios. Within this write-up, we will focus mainly on the Latino game development studios so you can explore their work.
Top Latino Gaming Studios to Know About
Before we jump straight to the list, it is worth noticing that gaming is not the only industry where Hispanics are flourishing. From music to fashion and even tech, more businesses are accepting and accommodating Latinos. Take Optimum, for example. This internet service provider in the US offers support Optimum en español, so their Hispanic customers can seek service in their preferred language.
Gaming studios, in particular, have seen a significant rise in terms of talent, creativity, and inclusivity. Let’s take a look at some of the inspiring ones:
Dreams Uncorporated
Origin: Colombia
When it comes to Colombia, most people never associate it with video games. However, the land of Pablo Escobar has the potential to shock you in the best possible way. This Latino game development company, Dreams Uncorporated, is basically known for the game Cris Tales. Released in 2021, this game mainly offers a very old-school JRPG view. This game attracted a lot of attention because Asia is more famous for this style of gaming. However, Cris Tales opened up an avenue for similar Latino games in the region.
Ace Team
Origin: Chile
One of the longest-running Latino American studios, Ace Team, is known for some of the best gaming titles that are loved by all. This studio was founded by two Hispanic brothers, Andrés, Carlos, and Edmundo Burdeau, in the year 2002. Although the studios have developed some of the best games already but they earned their first big break in 2009 after launching Zeno Clash. The game was especially popular because it was released for both PC and Xbox 360.
Another game that further contributed to their journey was Rock of Ages. This was a unique game where players had to use a giant rock to destroy the castles. Since the release of these games, Ace Team has gained a lot of attention for its aesthetics and overall gaming concepts. Moreover, their distributors, Atlus and Sega, also made them popular worldwide.
Aquiris Game Studio
Origin: Brazil
If you are an avid video gaming fan, there is a high chance that you know about this gaming studio already. Aquiris Game Studio was founded in 2007, and since then, it has developed some of the best games for the biggest brands.
For instance, they released and designed a cartoon based on the biggest cartoon brand, i.e., Cartoon Network. From Looney Tunes to some of the other titles, they proved their work was exceptional.
However, their biggest and most notable success so far is Horizon Chase. This arcade-based game has a touch of ’90s classics like Out Run and Top Gear. While it was originally a mobile-based game, it was soon released for other mediums like PS5 and PlayStation 4 as well.
HyperBeard Games
Origin: Mexico
When it comes to Latino mobile games, no other gaming studio has earned the same reputation as Hyperbeard Games. This studio was launched in 2014, and it soon gained a lot of attention, especially for its aesthetics and creative mobile gaming concepts. The studio became especially popular for its video gaming style.
Moreover, the gaming studio did not just focus on creating its own game; instead, it also helped other, much smaller studios to come up with ideas, publish their work, refine their profile, and later localize their games. Overall, they boast bigger gaming profiles filled with mobile games with basic mechanisms. Their simplicity has won hearts, helping them gain recognition from the audience worldwide.
Ironhide Game Studio
Origin: Uruguay
Ironhide Game Studio might be a new name for a few, but it has surely earned its place. Although a small gaming studio, it has worked for more than a decade in the shadows. However, if you are familiar with the Rush franchise, there is a high chance that you do not need to know more about Ironhide Game Studio. The Rush franchise was released as a flash game and became popular after its availability on the phone. The studio also signed an agreement with Apple to create the popular Apple Arcade service.
Simply put, Hispanics have long been considered outsiders in the gaming industry. However, slowly and continually, we are noticing more names popping up with exceptional work. As a gaming enthusiast, it is safe to say that the future of Latino video gaming is bright.
