Gaming has a massive impact on society as a whole, whether it becomes a route of employment or just an extremely passionate hobby, the multi billion-dollar industry has had plenty of influence on millions of people’s lives. Since video games first came into fashion, way before the time of slingo casino slot games, they have continuously developed and evolved. Some games become so popular and create such a big community that they infiltrate the wider world, not just the gaming community, so today, we will be taking a look at some of the biggest video game franchises of the 21st century.
Call of Duty
Call of Duty, often referred to as COD, is arguably the biggest global gaming franchise of all time. Published by Activision in 2003, Call of Duty quickly became a classic in the gaming industry with its innovative 1st person shooter that was unlike any other titles on the market. The gameplay was groundbreaking, and the potential to grow the game as a result of loyal and dedicated fans straight from its market debut was extremely uncommon. Individual game series inside the Call of Duty title appeal to more players, with Black Ops, Modern Warfare, and Warzone being their most popular.
The franchise has not slowed down either when it comes to players and fanbase, selling over 425 million units over the past 20 years. The COVID-19 pandemic saw Call of Duty grow to unexpected levels with Warzone taking over the market, much like their original releases in the early 2000s. Fans are obsessed with collectable items, the storyline, and even the competitive scene of Call of Duty, expanding it beyond the gaming industry and becoming a recognizable, worldwide name.
Grand Theft Auto
The release of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001 was just the beginning for sandbox games’ development in the future, not to mention the rapid rise to being one of America’s top selling video games. The Grand Theft Auto series parodies American culture that is often seen in TV and films, taking a range of characters and allowing players to play out their lives in a campaign mode, or choose to complete missions as their own character in the online mode. The ability to play solo, play with friends, or play in lobbies with others made for a very popular format that somewhat brought together the GTA community.
As a result of the nature of the game, lots of controversy had been drawn towards it, but this didn’t stop the growth. During the 20th century, a few titles have been released on top of GTA III, such as GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA IV, GTA V, and soon to be released, GTA VI. With over 405 million units sold, a tight community amongst players has been built, making it one of the most successful video game franchises of the 21st century.
Minecraft
Despite being released much later than the previous two titles on this list, Minecraft has arguably had the biggest cultural impact on the world of any other game franchise to date. Introduced to the market in 2011 by Mojang Studios, Minecraft is a block themed sandbox game that allows players to survive a unique world, building whatever they can imagine, while also defeating a few bosses on the way. The different modes, consisting of creative and survival, paired with online capabilities, are one of the reasons the game thrives, allowing friends to collaborate on different worlds.
Minecraft sent shockwaves around the world and stimulated a variety of products, such as plushies, Legos, and even action figures. The game also inspired a new wave of influencers that built careers and online fame that shone a light on the possibilities gaming could bring. In 2025, the Minecraft Movie took the world by storm, transforming gaming into a global image, something that wasn’t too common in the industry.
Fortnite
More recently, Fortnite Battle Royale took the world by storm, dominating the gaming scene for many years since its release in 2017. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite captivated millions through its weekly, community based updates and storyline that progressed throughout the ‘seasons’, causing big social media and online publicity. The unique twist of being able to build in a battle royale game, as well as the free to play aspect, only makes money from providing players the opportunity to purchase a ‘battle pass’ or item shop cosmetics. The ability to play multiplayer online with friends allowed players to bond, which is the main reason the game became so successful.
The number of updates kept people on their toes and built a new structure of how free to play games can be profitable. The game sent shockwaves around the world, creating a competitive scene, including a World Cup, building careers for hundreds of influencers, and even shifting what people looked for in a game. Products and in-game cosmetics have generated over $20 billion, making it one of the most successful game franchises of the 21st century.
