What VGM does

VGM (legal entity VGMarket LLC, Puerto Rico) is a full-service market and user research firm founded in 2004 that operates exclusively in the video game industry. It serves AAA publishers, mid-tier developers, and indies (named customers include Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft Xbox, EA, Activision, Blizzard, Epic Games, Ubisoft, TakeTwo, Tencent, NetEase, Roblox, Krafton, Supercell, Sega, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Capcom, and others) with services spanning the entire game lifecycle — concept testing, player experience and usability, market intelligence, monetization strategy, qualitative and quantitative research, custom recruiting, and strategic consulting.

The company's core technology stack is centered on VGMgo, a remote playtesting platform that combines secure game build distribution, a global player panel, and research data collection across iOS, Android, and PC. It is augmented by proprietary in-house features including Deck Builder (AI-assisted generation of executive-ready PowerPoint decks in approximately 30 minutes), CCTV AI Analysis (computer vision on playtest video at 30 frames per second), and the SLS (Significant Live Sample) methodology (a hybrid quantitative-qualitative research framework created in 2007 benchmarked against a proprietary normative database). In-person research is delivered through purpose-built focus suites in South San Francisco, New York City, and Brighton, UK, supported by biometric monitoring, one-way-mirror observation, and platform-agnostic secure build handling.

Commercially, VGM operates a dual revenue model: project-based custom research engagements sold via enterprise field sales (quote-based, project-by-project), and the VGMgo platform layer (likely quote/subscription-based for developers) with tester incentives distributed via Tremendous. The firm is privately held, founder-led (Michael Gluck), employs 101-250 people, and reports 60+ companies served and 400+ bespoke studies annually. Infrastructure is built on AWS (including CloudFront and CloudWatch), with Google Vertex AI and Gemini used for AI features, Rev.ai for speech-to-text, and AppsFlyer/Firebase/Mailchimp for mobile engagement and analytics.

Name

VGM

Legal name

VGMarket LLC

Website

https://vgm.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

VGM is a 2004-founded, founder-led market research firm that delivers custom playtesting, user research, and market intelligence exclusively to the video game industry. It serves AAA publishers and developers through in-person focus suites, its VGMgo remote platform, and proprietary SLS methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Market Research Services (Video Games)

NAICS

Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Quality Assurance & Testing Services (Functional, Compatibility, Compliance) (MPAFAKAA)

Keywords

• Video game market research
• Playtesting services
• Consumer research
• Focus group testing
• User experience research

Headquarters

HQ city

Hollywood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Market Research Services: Full-service market and user research for video game companies including playtesting, market intelligence, qualitative/quantitative research, and strategic consulting. Services are project-based and tailored to client needs across concept, development, and post-launch stages.
2. VGMgo Platform (Remote Playtesting): Remote playtesting platform subscription or usage-based model connecting game developers with players. Developers pay for access to player panel, test execution, and research deliverables. Testers receive incentive payments via Tremendous platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VGM provides full-service market and user research exclusively for the video game industry, combining qualitative and quantitative playtesting, concept testing, usability research, market intelligence, and strategic consulting. Core deliverables include the proprietary SLS playtesting methodology, the VGMgo remote playtesting platform, in-house focus suites in three global locations, custom recruiting from a proprietary global player panel, and AI-powered research analysis tools such as Deck Builder and CCTV AI Analysis.

Product overview

VGM offers a unified platform-plus-services model centered on VGMgo, a remote playtesting platform that works alongside their physical Focus Suites facilities and proprietary player panel. The portfolio includes VGMgo (the core digital platform), Deck Builder (a PPTX generation tool for research reports), and CCTV AI Analysis (video processing feature). These digital products integrate with VGM's full-service research capabilities including SLS Playtesting methodology, Player Experience & Usability services, Market Intelligence & Strategy, Custom Recruiting Solutions, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Specialized Consulting, and Custom Development & Technology. The company manages 100% of services in-house, combining proprietary technology with expert research services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VGMgo: The most advanced remote playtesting platform connecting game developers with real players worldwide for mobile, console, and PC games at all dev stages.
• VGM Deck Builder
• CCTV AI Analysis
• SLS (Significant Live Sample)

Products and services

• VGMgo Remote Playtesting Platform Remote playtesting platform connecting game developers with a global player panel for unmoderated and moderated testing of mobile, console, and PC games. Supports secure game build distribution, demographic and psychographic targeting, video/audio capture, survey collection, and AI-powered analysis. Available via Google Play and Apple App Store.
• Focus Suites and Testing Labs

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ video game companies served annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered operational and infrastructure.

• TremendousoperationalOthersIncentive payment processor for VGMgo playtester rewards. Handles distribution of compensation to testers in form of electronic funds transfers, gift cards, prepaid credit cards, and other methods. VGM pays testers through Tremendous platform for completed playtesting services.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)infrastructureTechnology or IntegrationCloud hosting, backend infrastructure, and content delivery (CloudFront CDN) for VGMgo platform. Provides on-demand cloud computing, data storage, infrastructure monitoring (CloudWatch), and email services (SES).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PlaytestCloud: Remote playtesting platform focused on unmoderated and moderated game testing with a distributed tester panel. Most direct head-to-head competitor to VGMgo on remote, self-serve playtesting for mobile and PC games.
• Quantic Foundry: Specialized games-market research firm producing gamer motivation and segmentation data, monetized via B2B reports and analytics subscriptions. Comparable to VGM's market intelligence and quantitative research line for video game publishers.
• Interpret: Market research consultancy with a dedicated games, media and tech practice running custom consumer research for entertainment clients. Comparable custom-research methodology and enterprise client base to VGM.
• Player Research: UK-based game user research studio offering playtesting, usability and focus group services to game developers. Closest functional peer to VGM's bespoke research practice, with comparable methodology depth but a smaller global footprint.

Emerging players

• Maze: Continuous product-research and usability-testing platform expanding into the games vertical via unmoderated study tooling. Emerging competitor to VGMgo's self-serve testing proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Sensor Tower: Mobile and digital intelligence platform providing app-store, advertising and usage data across games and apps. Competes with VGM for the market-intelligence wallet of mobile game publishers (e.g., Playtika, King, Supercell).
• UserTesting (UserZoom): Enterprise UX and human-insights platform used by game studios for usability studies and unmoderated tests. Horizontal incumbent whose gaming vertical overlaps with VGMgo on remote usability work.
• Newzoo: Global games market intelligence provider offering market sizing, consumer insights and trend reports (acquired by Savvy Games Group). Overlaps with VGM's Market Intelligence & Strategy service line at the publisher-customer level.

Regional players

• GameRefinery: Mobile game market research and benchmarking platform headquartered in Finland, providing feature-level competitive analysis. Comparable to VGM's quantitative mobile-games research line for European and global publishers.
• Niko Partners: Asia-focused games market research and consulting firm covering China and Southeast Asia. Relevant peer for VGM's growing Asian publisher client base, particularly where regional market sizing and player insights are required.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vgmarket
• Facebookfacebook.com/vgmarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vgmarket

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 VGM