Hi-Rez Studios

What Hi-Rez Studios does

Hi-Rez Studios is a private, Alpharetta, Georgia-based video game developer founded in 2005, operating exclusively in the multiplayer free-to-play ("games-as-a-service") segment. The studio maintains four core titles: SMITE (a 2012 mythological MOBA that has accumulated 70+ million players across PC, console, and mobile), SMITE 2 (a ground-up Unreal Engine 5 sequel in closed alpha since August 2024), Paladins (a class-based fantasy first-person shooter), and Rogue Company (a tactical shooter). Its revenue model is freemium across all live titles, monetized through in-game cosmetic purchases, gem currency, battle passes, and event items, with SMITE 2 layering in a one-time Founder's Edition (Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate) available on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, and PlayStation.

The studio's core technical proposition is cross-play and cross-progression: a Primary Account system synchronizes player identity, inventory, and purchases across Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck. This infrastructure is reinforced by the Divine Legacy rewards system, which converts SMITE 1 spend (1:1 Legacy Gems) into SMITE 2 entitlements to retain paying users across the franchise transition. A public SMITE API with Developer Guide extends the platform to external creators. The company markets through organic social (X, LinkedIn, YouTube), Discord community channels, the Paladins Partner Program, Twitch Drops integrations, and PR.

Hi-Rez Studios is privately held, founder-controlled, has no disclosed parent company, and reports operating "at a reasonable profit." Headcount is 51-100, leadership includes CEO Stewart Chisam, Chairman Erez Goren, VP of Operations Adam Goren, and directors for Game Operations and Player Experience. The studio operates globally through digital storefronts with regional anchoring in Alpharetta, Georgia, where it holds a seat on Tech Alpharetta's Strategic Board of Directors.

Name

Hi-Rez Studios

Legal name

HI-REZ STUDIOS, INC.

Website

https://hirezstudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hi-Rez Studios is a private Alpharetta-based multiplayer game developer operating four free-to-play titles (SMITE, SMITE 2, Paladins, Rogue Company) across PC and console, monetized through in-game cosmetics and Founder's Editions, with cross-play infrastructure spanning Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and Steam Deck.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Games

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)

Keywords

• Free-to-play games
• Multiplayer online battle arena
• Cross-platform gaming
• Video game development
• Games as a service

Headquarters

HQ city

Alpharetta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Free-to-Play In-Game Purchases: Games are free to download and play. Revenue is generated through in-game purchases including character skins, gems, in-game currency, battle passes, and event items. SMITE 2 upon full release will follow the same F2P model with purchasable cosmetics and passes.
2. Founder's Edition Purchases: SMITE 2 offers three Founder's Edition tiers (Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate) available on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, and PlayStation. These provide early access, exclusive skins for both SMITE 1 and SMITE 2, and bonus Legacy Gems when purchased.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hi-Rez Studios develops and operates free-to-play, multiplayer online games under a games-as-a-service model. The core offering consists of four live titles: SMITE, SMITE 2 (in alpha), Paladins, and Rogue Company, all distributed across PC, mobile, and console platforms with cross-play and cross-progression enabled. Revenue is generated through in-game purchases of cosmetics, currency, and battle passes, plus one-time Founder's Edition purchases for early SMITE 2 access.

Product overview

Hi-Rez Studios is a video game developer specializing in multiplayer free-to-play games operating under a games-as-a-service model. The company's portfolio includes four main titles: SMITE (a MOBA featuring mythological gods), SMITE 2 (the true sequel rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5), Paladins (a fantasy class-based first-person shooter), and Rogue Company (a tactical shooter). All games support cross-platform play and cross-progression across PC, mobile, console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), with Steam and Epic Games Store distribution. The company also provides a SMITE API for developers. SMITE 2 is currently in alpha development, while SMITE, Paladins, and Rogue Company are actively supported live games.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMITE: A MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game featuring mythological gods as playable characters
• SMITE 2
• Paladins
• Rogue Company

Products and services

• SMITE Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game featuring mythological gods from various pantheons in third-person perspective gameplay. Free-to-play and played by more than 70 million people worldwide on PC, mobile, and console.
• SMITE 2 True sequel to SMITE, fully modernized and rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. A MOBA featuring mythological gods with third-person gameplay. Free-to-play upon full release; currently in alpha testing with cross-play and cross-progression enabled.
• Paladins Free-to-play fantasy class-based first-person shooter set in a fictional Realm. Features 4 character classes (Damage, Flank, Frontline, Support), 5 players per team, and game modes including Siege, Ranked, Onslaught, Payload, and Team Deathmatch.
• Rogue Company Free-to-play tactical shooter game featuring cross-progression through account linking. Players can link external accounts across platforms including Xbox Live and Steam to access progress and exclusive rewards like Twitch Drops.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70+ million players have played Hi-Rez games worldwide on PC, mobile, and console

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tech AlpharettaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Tech Alpharetta appointed a senior executive from Hi-Rez Studios to its Strategic Board of Directors, which supports the growth of the technology ecosystem in Alpharetta, Georgia. This reflects a strategic focus on innovation and growth in the region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Epic Games: Owns Fortnite and Unreal Engine (the engine powering SMITE 2). Competes broadly in cross-platform F2P shooters and influences Hi-Rez's distribution via the Epic Games Store and engine economics.
• Ubisoft: Operates Rainbow Six Siege/X and other multiplayer titles. Broad incumbent in F2P and live-service multiplayer gaming with comparable LiveOps and cross-platform ambitions.
• Blizzard Entertainment: Developer of Overwatch 2 and Heroes of the Storm. Competes directly with Paladins in the hero-shooter category and previously competed in MOBAs, with comparable F2P and cross-platform strategies.
• Electronic Arts (EA): Operates Apex Legends and other F2P multiplayer titles via EA's broader portfolio. A broad incumbent competing for the same F2P multiplayer shooter wallet share.

Direct peers

• Riot Games: Developer of League of Legends (the dominant MOBA) and Valorant (hero shooter). Directly competes with Hi-Rez in both flagship genres, sharing the F2P model, cross-platform ambitions, and cosmetics-driven monetization.
• Valve Corporation: Developer of Dota 2, the second major Western MOBA and the most direct competitor to SMITE/SMITE 2. Shares F2P, Steam-first distribution, and competitive gameplay emphasis.
• Respawn Entertainment: Developer of Apex Legends, a F2P cross-platform hero/tactical shooter. Direct competitor to Paladins and Rogue Company in the F2P multiplayer shooter category with comparable seasonal content cadence.
• Psyonix: Developer of Rocket League, a F2P cross-platform multiplayer title. Closely comparable as a mid-sized F2P multiplayer studio (now under Epic Games) that pioneered cross-play and was acquired for its strong community.

Emerging players

• Embark Studios: Developer of The Finals, a F2P cross-platform multiplayer shooter. An emerging competitor in the cross-platform F2P shooter space targeting similar casual-to-competitive multiplayer audiences.
• Behaviour Interactive: Developer of Dead by Daylight, a F2P/multiplayer title with strong cross-platform play and live-service operations. Comparable as a mid-sized studio successfully operating long-running multiplayer games.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hirezstudios
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hirezstudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hi-rez-studios
• Facebookfacebook.com/smitegame

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hi-Rez Studios