North Carolina may be known for its vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes, but underneath its surface, it’s a hub for innovation in the gaming industry, bolstered by both entrepreneurship and government initiatives. The sandy beaches, bustling cities, and rolling mountains scattered around North Carolina house a plethora of talented developers and designers—all trying to make their mark in the world.

Gaming companies in North Carolina have much to offer, from online marketplaces that sell WoW gold and gold pieces in OSRS to never-before-seen game engines that could inevitably change how we play video games. Let’s look at some of the best companies in NC that are making headlines in the gaming industry.

Epic Games

How can we not talk about one of the largest gaming companies in the world? Epic Games was founded in 1991 and is now a leading provider of 3D engine technology. CEO Tim Sweeney founded the company. Epic Games’ headquarters is located in Cary, North Carolina, and has more than 40 offices scattered around the world. They’re mostly famous for operating Fortnite—one of the world’s largest games in existence, with over 2.5 billion friend connections and 350 million accounts worldwide.

Another notable creation that Epic is famous for is its Unreal Engine, which boasts power enough to create the world’s leading games, including the likes of Dragon Quest 11, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Street Fighter 5, and many more. Unreal Engine has already been adopted across other industries, such as automotive, film, television, simulation, and architecture.

Epic Games’ success didn’t happen overnight, as one would assume it. It took 13 years before Sweeney received success with Fortnite. The company’s first game only made a paltry $100, and Tim developed it at his parent’s house. But despite the slow start, he and his team kept going until they unlocked the “secret.”

Epic's accomplishment with Fortnite and its Unreal Engine proves that even a small company can become a newsworthy sensation given the right strategy. Its first video game—ZZT—only made $100 in revenue. Heck, Epic Games wasn’t even a game company at the start; its initial focus was creating custom databases. It shows that you can roll with whatever you’re dealt with if you play your cards right.

Limited Run Games

Using the “Forever Physical” tagline, Limited Run Games is a curve ball amongst the other companies we’re taking a look at. For one, they’re (for the most part) publisher of physical games.

A video game distributor based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Limited Run Games was founded in 2015 by Douglas Bogart and Josh Fairhurst. The company specializes in limited physical editions of games that might not otherwise receive physical releases. They essentially bring some of your favorite digital titles to life on several consoles—including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, retro consoles, and more.

LRG’s mission vision is rooted in the belief that despite our transition to the digital age, physical media still plays a crucial role in the gaming industry. We’re in a time where digital streaming and downloads dominate the market, and Limited Run Games seeks to preserve our games tangibly, offering enthusiasts and collectors alike a chance to own more than just a memory of their favorite titles.

Since its founding in 2015, Limited Run Games has released more than 1,000 games, ranging from niche indie games made by small-time developers to legendary collaborations with LucasArts and Konami. When the company grew, they began partnering with bigger and more well-known studios, securing rights to produce physical versions of famous titles, like the Star Wars games, Persona 3 Portable, and many more.

The creation of Limited Run Games didn’t just promote the importance of physical media—it inspired others to start similar companies as well. Now, we’ve got the likes of Special Reserve Games, Super Rare Games, and Strictly Limited Games, all of which focus on limited releases.

Made in Mars Studio

Underdogs in gaming are always a hoot to support, mainly because they trash the premise that you need to have millions to create a good game. Made in Mars Studio is an independent video game studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was founded by software engineer Crystal Logan, who highlights an inclusive approach to creating games by striving to develop titles that reflect our diverse world.

With a diverse team of developers, Made in Mars Studio focuses on creating engaging and immersive gaming experiences. They’re currently working on House of Raionas, a 3D adventure and role-playing game inspired by West African mythologies. The interactive game tells the story of a sibling pair who must find their way to keep their family together as they navigate a world rife with war and politics.