Hi-Rez Studios

Hi-Rez Studios is an American video game developer and publisher based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Founded in 2005 by Erez Goren and Todd Harris, the company specializes in free-to-play multiplayer games, combining competitive action with ongoing live-service development. Its work spans multiplayer online battle arenas, hero shooters and third-person action games across PC and consoles.

The company's early releases included the squad-based shooter Global Agenda in 2010 and Tribes: Ascend in 2012. It subsequently developed SMITE, which brings mythological characters into a third-person multiplayer online battle arena, and the fantasy hero shooter Paladins: Champions of the Realm. Its broader publishing and development history includes Rogue Company, Realm Royale, Divine Knockout, Jetpack Fighter and several additional games associated with the SMITE universe.

Multiplayer development and publishing

Hi-Rez's capabilities encompass full-cycle game development, engineering, multiplatform publishing, live operations, server management, localization and player support. Cross-platform play and cross-progression are recurring features of its approach, supporting multiplayer communities across different gaming systems. The company's portfolio has reached more than 70 million registered players worldwide.

Development has also been organized through dedicated internal studio brands, allowing teams to concentrate on individual games and their player communities. Across its history, Hi-Rez has combined development with publishing and ongoing support, including community management and game balancing for competitive multiplayer titles.

Current direction

Following restructuring in 2024 and 2025, Hi-Rez concentrated its development resources on SMITE 2, the Unreal Engine 5 successor to SMITE. The company sunset Realm Royale Reforged and Divine Knockout in February 2025 and paused active feature development on SMITE 1, Paladins and Rogue Company.

Hi-Rez Studios continues as the operating company beneath the Hi-Rez Ventures parent umbrella introduced in June 2023. Its current direction centers on the development, rollout and live service of SMITE 2, drawing on the company's experience developing and publishing competitive multiplayer games.