Criterion Software Group

Name

Criterion Software Group

Legal name

Criterion Software Group

Website

https://criteriongames.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Video Game Sales: Revenue generated from sale of video game titles developed by Criterion Games, sold as full-game purchases or through digital distribution platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Criterion Software Group (operating as Criterion Games) is a video game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes video game titles, with a specialization in racing and action games. The studio produces full-game titles for console platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo) and PC (Steam, EA app, Epic Games Store), distributed globally through its parent company Electronic Arts' publishing infrastructure.

Product overview

Criterion Games is a single video game development studio operating under Electronic Arts. The studio, located in Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, focuses on developing video game titles. This source does not detail specific game titles or individual product offerings beyond the studio itself.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Criterion Games Studio Video game development studio under Electronic Arts, based in Guildford, United Kingdom, that develops and publishes video game titles for gaming platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, PC).

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• BAFTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCriterion Games is listed as an official partner of BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), specifically through the BAFTA Young Game Designers programme. This partnership supports the development of emerging talent in the gaming industry.

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Direct peers

• Polyphony Digital: Sony-owned developer of the Gran Turismo franchise. Direct racing-game peer with similar proprietary-engine strategy and long franchise heritage.
• Turn 10 Studios: Microsoft-owned developer of the Forza Motorsport franchise. Direct competitor to Criterion in the simulation-leaning console racing category, with comparable single-studio focus and platform-owner backing.
• Playground Games: UK-based developer of the Forza Horizon series under Microsoft. Comparable as a UK-based racing studio with proprietary engine expertise and growing AAA scope.
• Codemasters: Racing-focused developer (DiRT, F1, GRID franchises), now part of Electronic Arts. Sibling studio under the same parent with overlapping racing expertise and direct internal competition for EA's racing roadmap.

Regional players

• Milestone S.r.l. Italian racing-game developer (MotoGP, MXGP, Hot Wheels Unleashed). Comparable as a European single-studio racing specialist, though primarily serving different regional and licensed-IP niches.

Broad incumbents

• Respawn Entertainment: Sibling EA studio developing Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Star Wars Jedi. Comparable as a wholly-owned EA internal studio with similar governance structure and access to the same publishing infrastructure.
• Ubisoft: Major third-party publisher with internal development studios (e.g., Ivory Tower for The Crew, a racing franchise). Comparable as a publisher-owner of racing IP competing in the same consumer segment.

Emerging players

• Slightly Mad Studios: Developer of Project CARS series and acquired by Codemasters (now EA). Smaller racing specialist with comparable simulation-leaning positioning and post-acquisition integration dynamics similar to Criterion's.
• Psyonix: Developer of Rocket League, owned by Epic Games. Comparable as a vehicle-focused competitive game studio absorbed by a large publisher, though focused on live-service rather than narrative racing.
• Sumo Digital: UK-based multi-project game developer (now part of Tencent). Comparable as a UK-headquartered mid-sized game studio with multi-platform capabilities, though broader in genre than Criterion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CriterionGames
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1451
• Instagraminstagram.com/criteriongamesea
• Facebookfacebook.com/criteriongames

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 Criterion Software Group