4a Games
4A Games is a Malta-headquartered, privately held AAA game studio originally founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2005. It develops narrative-driven post-apocalyptic first-person shooters, primarily the Metro franchise, published globally by Deep Silver across console and PC platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersKyiv, Ukraine
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What 4a Games does
4A Games is a privately held, multinational video game development studio founded in 2005 in Kyiv, Ukraine by industry veterans, with headquarters relocated to Malta in 2014 (domiciled as 4A-Games Limited). The company specializes in narrative-driven, atmospheric AAA first-person shooters, with its portfolio anchored on the Metro franchise based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel series — Metro 2033 (2010), Metro: Last Light (2013/2014), Metro Redux remaster (2014), and Metro Exodus (2019) — plus the VR-exclusive ARKTIKA.1 for Oculus Touch (2017). Its fourth mainline title Metro 2039 was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase in April 2026 with a launch window for Winter 2026 / February 2027.
The studio's core technology is a proprietary game engine tuned for atmospheric, realistic graphics and immersive first-person stealth-action gameplay, with environmental storytelling as a domain specialization. Headcount sits in the 101-250 range, with development operations continuing in Ukraine alongside the Malta headquarters despite disruption from the Russian invasion of Ukraine since 2022.
4A Games monetizes through one-time game license sales distributed globally via publisher Deep Silver across physical retail, PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, Steam, and GOG. Metro 2039 introduces platform exclusivity mechanics via Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Game Pass, adding subscription-based exposure to a primarily one-time-purchase model. The customer base is mass-market console and PC gamers, with secondary appeal to post-apocalyptic genre fans such as those awaiting Fallout remasters, served through events-led go-to-market (Xbox showcases), publisher channel relationships (Deep Silver), and platform marketing (Xbox wishlists and Game Pass promotion).
4a Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 4a Games
- Legal name
- 4A-Games Limited
- Website
- https://4a-games.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- 4A Games is a Malta-headquartered, privately held AAA game studio originally founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2005. It develops narrative-driven post-apocalyptic first-person shooters, primarily the Metro franchise, published globally by Deep Silver across console and PC platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
4a Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL), Game Engines (General-Purpose & Real-Time 3D) (MPAFAFAA)
Keywords
Where 4a Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kyiv
- HQ country
- Ukraine
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
4a Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Video Game Sales: One-time purchase model for full game releases across PC and console platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X/S. Games sold through digital storefronts and retail.
- Game Bundles and Re-releases: Bundle offerings of multiple game titles (Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light Complete Edition) and updated/redux versions of existing games.
- Platform Exclusivity Revenue: Revenue from Xbox Play Anywhere partnership and Game Pass availability, with timed exclusivity windows and platform-specific releases.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
4a Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
4A Games develops and designs AAA-quality, narrative-driven first-person shooter video games for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Its core franchise is the post-apocalyptic Metro series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novels, complemented by the VR-exclusive title ARKTIKA.1. Games are sold globally as one-time digital and physical purchases through publisher Deep Silver and platform storefronts, with newer titles offered via Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass.
Product overview
4A Games is a multinational video game development studio with offices in Malta and Ukraine that creates AAA-quality games. Their portfolio centers on the Metro series of post-apocalyptic first-person shooter games, including Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, Metro Redux (remastered editions), Metro Exodus, and the upcoming Metro 2039. They also developed ARKTIKA.1, a VR-exclusive title for Oculus. The games are based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel series and are known for deep immersion, atmospheric environments, realistic graphics, and narrative-driven gameplay. Metro 2039 represents their next major release, announced for Winter 2026/February 2027.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Metro 2039 The fourth mainline installment in the post-apocalyptic Metro video game series, a narrative-driven first-person shooter set six years after Metro 2033 in Moscow's underground Metro tunnels. Built for PC and current-generation console gamers seeking immersive, atmospheric AAA single-player experiences.
- Metro Exodus The third mainline entry in the Metro series, an open-world-influenced first-person shooter following a cross-country journey across post-apocalyptic Russia. Sold to PC and console gamers through publisher Deep Silver and platform storefronts.
- Metro Redux A remastered bundle containing Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements, sold to existing and new Metro franchise fans.
- Metro 2033 The first game in the Metro series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel, a first-person shooter set in post-apocalyptic Moscow's Metro tunnels. Sold to PC and console gamers as a standalone title and later as part of Metro Redux.
- Metro: Last Light The second installment in the Metro series, continuing protagonist Artyom's story in the post-apocalyptic Metro tunnels. Sold to PC and console gamers as a standalone title and later as part of Metro Redux.
- ARKTIKA.1 A highly immersive AAA first-person shooter designed exclusively for Oculus Touch VR. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where the planet has entered a new ice age, players protect a colony in the wastelands of old Russia as mercenaries for Citadel Security. Targeted at VR hardware owners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Metacritic score of 90 achieved by Metro 2033 Redux
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use 4a Games
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
4a Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
4a Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Deep SilvercoreDeep Silver is the publisher for the Metro series, handling global distribution, marketing, and sales. They partnered with 4A Games for Metro 2039 announcement and release.
- Microsoft XboxcoreMicrosoft Xbox serves as platform partner with Metro 2039 as Xbox Play Anywhere title. Game featured at Xbox First Look event and Xbox Games Showcase 2026, with Game Pass availability.
- Dmitry GlukhovskycoreMetro series author who collaborates with 4A Games on narrative development. Metro 2039 story developed in collaboration with Glukhovsky, who was sentenced to prison in absentia in 2023 for criticizing the war in Ukraine.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
4a Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
4a Games social profiles
Digital presence4a Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
4a Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
4a Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
4a Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 4a Games
What does 4a Games do?
4A Games develops and designs AAA-quality, narrative-driven first-person shooter video games for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Its core franchise is the post-apocalyptic Metro series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novels, complemented by the VR-exclusive title ARKTIKA.1. Games are sold globally as one-time digital and physical purchases through publisher Deep Silver and platform storefronts, with newer titles offered via Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass.
Is 4a Games a public or private company?
4a Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 4a Games founded?
4a Games was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 4a Games based?
4a Games is headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine, in the Europe region.
How does 4a Games make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Video Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are game Bundles and Re-releases and platform Exclusivity Revenue.
Does 4a Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for 4a Games.
What industry is 4a Games in?
4a Games's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console), with a secondary code of MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132.