12 Gaming Logos That Slay: Design Tips & Inspiration

When we talk about gaming logos, what do you picture? A pixelated joystick embedded design? While a quirky design like that definitely works, that’s not the only approach. Gaming logos can mean logos that represent a game studio or an esports brand, or even a specific game. Hence, the design needs to be a solid representation of what the brand is about. It needs to communicate the right message to the right audience. 

So, if you are crafting a gaming logo or even just exploring some ideas, you’re in the right place. Today we’re discussing gaming logos – tips, strategies, and real-world examples to help you design something that does not just look cool but actually connects with the target audience. 

Ready to level up your gaming logos? Let’s gear up and press start! 

7 Well-Known Gaming Company Logos + Why They Click 

As we discussed already, not all gaming logos are created equal, and when it comes to gaming company logos, the stakes are high. These are logos meant to represent not just single titles but whole brands. Brands that encompass many iconic titles, platforms, and audiences. 

Therefore, gaming logos for game studios need to be versatile, timeless, and professional while still reflecting creativity and the energy of the gaming sector. In short, these are logos meant to balance creative flair and brand trust. It’s about long-term recognition. So, let’s look at how some well-known gaming company logos do it right. 

1. Nintendo 

From a playing cards company to one of the leading names in the gaming industry, Nintendo has come a long way indeed. Their many logo iterations stand testimony to how much the brand has changed and evolved. 

The current iconic wordmark, “Nintendo,” enclosed in a rounded, red “racetrack” oval, began taking shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s. And to date remains one of the most iconic gaming logos in the world. 

The Nintendo logo keeps the design simple, allowing the brand’s heritage to do the talking. On the whole, the design is all about scalability and timelessness. 

KIMP Tips: 

Let’s talk about some tips to take away from the Nintendo logo:

• Aim for simplicity – a clutter-free and scalable design works. 
• Timelessness can be a valuable trait, especially when representing gaming companies. 
• Use strong color associations. Red has been a crucial component of the Nintendo brand and can be seen across various applications in its branding. 

2. Epic Games 

Epic Games is a well-known gaming studio behind creations like Fortnite. Evolving from more complicated designs, the company today has a sleek, flat logo that translates well across diverse channels. 

Today, it features a unique badge shape that is relatable in the gaming segment. Its bold black color and the all-caps letters establish authority and distinguish the brand from its competition. On the whole, the design feels well-balanced, and the downward-pointing arrow shape adds a grounding effect to the design. 

KIMP Tips: 

Let’s now talk about a few key takeaways from this gaming logo: 

• Simplify over time. While designs with a lot of details might help tell a story, they are difficult to remember and apply to your branding. 
• Versatility and minimalism can be big strengths when it comes to corporate branding, which encapsulates several other brands and names within. 
• Aiming for a contemporary look? Monochrome palettes help. 

3. Take-Two Interactive 

Take-Two Interactive is the brand behind big titles like GTA, the NBA 2K series, and the PGA Tour Series in gaming. The brand maintains a minimalist and modern identity, like most of its competitors. Given the long brand name, a sleek monogram is used to represent the brand across various touchpoints. 

This gaming logo consists of a simple T2 monogram in big, bold letters. Proving that monograms do not have to be boring, the design uses a slightly taller “T” than “2”. And the subtle overlap creates a cohesive put-together look. 

KIMP Tips:

Now, for some gaming logo design tips to note from the Take-Two Interactive logo design:

• Prioritize legibility and recognition – whether it is on an app icon or your website, your logo should stand out. 
• Minimalism often reflects maturity. If you are working on boosting the credibility of your gaming company, opt for a clean and minimalist design that scales well. 

4. Roblox 

The unique geometric letterforms are the most significant details in the Roblox logo. What stands out is the slightly tilted, square “O” in the wordmark. This element does not just add to the visual intrigue in the design but is also meant to convey a deeper meaning. 

According to Roblox, the tilt in the “O” is meant to capture “building, progression, and motion”. In other words, this small twist represents the strongest traits of the brand itself. 

The all-caps custom letterform and the subtle yet noticeable detail together make this logo universally appealing. This is crucial considering the diverse audience demographics the brand targets. 

KIMP Tips: 

What are some design cues to learn from the Roblox logo? 

• You do not need complicated details to add more meaning to your logo – sometimes, all it takes is a swapped letter in your wordmark. 
• Make the most of shape psychology – shapes make it easier to communicate with a wider audience. 

5. Scopely 

Scopely – the brand behind fun game titles like Monopoly GO, Scrabble GO, and Pokémon Go has a fun abstract logo. The abstract icon in the design is obviously an “S” and is composed of several triangles, creating a dynamic and engaging monogram. 

On the whole, the sleek and creative design, which also feels like “origami,” helps preserve the element of “fun” in the design while keeping it modern and digital-friendly. 

The geometric shapes create a balance, and when paired with the all-caps sans-serif letters, the design feels unique and refreshing. 

KIMP Tips: 

So, what are some design takeaways from this gaming logo? 

• Combination logos come in handy when you wish to add personality to your brand. With the logotype establishing your brand name, a unique logomark helps add an impactful visual touch. 
• If you wish to keep the design simple and yet stand out from the rest of the brands in your segment, consider abstract designs. 

6. MiHoYo

The Chinese video game company, MiHoYo, demonstrates how infusing playfulness into gaming logos is achievable without too many layers or complicated designs. The brand relies mainly on the apt use of color to create a more vibrant design that grabs attention. 

Most importantly, the character details accentuating the wordmark logo are what add personality to this design. They help add life to the custom, rounded font used in the design. 

On the whole, the design feels fresh and fun, relevant to the young gaming audience that the brand targets. 

KIMP Tips:

What are some design lessons that this game logo teaches? 

• Pay attention to the colors in your logo. The right color sets the right vibe for your brand. 
• Use custom typefaces for logo design. They help personalize the overall look to resonate with your audience. 

7. Ubisoft 

The recent logo of the French video game publishing company Ubisoft features a distinctive swirl. Another example of using abstract symbols to differentiate the brand in a competitive space. 

This gaming logo is a good example of layering meaning through meaningful visual elements. According to Ubisoft, the swirl in their logo is meant to represent a window into the virtual worlds that the company creates through its games. A metaphorical representation of the ever-expanding scope of the brand. 

KIMP Tips: 

Now for some takeaways from this gaming logo: 

• Use visual metaphors instead of literal symbols to create an intriguing and engaging logo. 
• The swirl in the Ubisoft logo does not look perfect or symmetrical. As a result, it creates a human touch in the digital age. Similarly, include raw elements that capture the authenticity of your brand. 

Gaming Logos for Game Titles 

Now that we’ve explored some gaming company logos, it’s time to look at some logos of specific game titles. The key difference is that while game company logos aim to keep the design sleek and versatile, game logos often have a thematic design. They convey a specific story or feature a design built around the key player or character in the game. This is how they instantly connect with their audience. 

Moreover, at this level, your target audience narrows down further. As you have seen, the big names on our list so far have a reputation for producing games across various genres and appealing to various audience segments. However, when it comes to individual games, the target audience tends to be specific. Therefore, you can further fine-tune the design to resonate with the niche audience you wish to connect with. 

Let’s talk about some well-known games that have successfully nailed the art of gaming logos. 

1. Minecraft 

This well-known sandbox game has one of the most iconic logo designs. Its chunky, stone-like wordmark has become an unmissable identity in the gaming world. 

Its chunky pixelated style directly draws inspiration from the gameplay interface and hence feels relevant to the game. But that’s not all, the design also features the popular “Creeper Face” within the “A” to add a creative twist and to highlight the unique aspects of the game. 

KIMP Tips: 

Yes, we’re discussing design takeaways from this gaming logo: 

• A catchy logo makes sense only when used consistently and clearly. In the case of Minecraft, its strong identity came in handy when it came to the branding and poster design for the recent movie based on the franchise. 
• An effective logo for a game title is one that reflects the mechanics of the game itself. In this case, the blocks, the pixel-art visual style, and the dynamic upward slant symbolizing movement all resonate with the elements of the game. 

2. The Sims 

The renowned simulation game, The Sims, has a simple game-relevant logo. The primary symbol here is an abstract version of the iconic Plumbob – the floating green gem from the gameplay. 

Since the Plumbob is the core symbol of interactivity, it is used as the main brand identifier in the logo. Thus taking the approach of creating a game logo tied to player experience. 

KIMP Tips: 

Let’s now talk about some design takeaways from this gaming logo: 

• Design logos that communicate the gist of your brand without words. The use of the Plumbob alone is enough in the case of The Sims logo. 
• Use colors effectively. The bright green Plumbob in the game appears in the same bright green on the logo as well. They capture the essence of creativity, the game is known for. 

3. Tetris 

The very popular puzzle game of falling “tetrominoes”, Tetris, has a logo that’s as intriguing as the game itself. It uses blocky all-caps typography, aligning with the big bold blocks of the game. Additionally, the logo features each letter of “TETRIS” in a different, bright, and distinct color. These colors directly correspond to the seven unique tetromino shapes in the game. 

Notably, the shadow details in the logo create a sense of movement, which again seamlessly ties back to the game. Finally, the whole wordmark is enclosed in a “T” which is not just the lettermark but also the block from the game. 

KIMP Tips: 

What are some takeaways from this gaming logo? 

• Use letterforms and other visual cues to echo gameplay in your logo design. 
• Convey the idea of motion with subtle visual details – these could be with the use of relevant shapes or even direct cues like arrows and alignment. 

4. God of War 

God of War takes an approach similar to that of the Ubisoft logo in using a visual metaphor to represent the essence of the game through the design. It features the Omega symbol (Ω), which in ancient Greek culture often signified the end. The symbol metaphorically communicates the game’s protagonist, Kratos’s journey. 

It doesn’t just end there. Let’s talk about the use of aggressive and impactful typography, making the wordmark as powerful as the characters in the game. The red in the logo and the silver together sum up the intense action and excitement in the game. 

KIMP Tips: 

So, let’s talk about some design takeaways from this gaming logo: 

• Use textures to add more depth to your logo design, like the metallic textures in the God of War logo. 
• To create something meaningful and unique, do not restrict yourself to traditional symbols. Relevant mythological symbols that connect with a niche audience amplify the impact of your logo. 

5. Grand Theft Auto 

Blending retro style with a modern look, the Grand Theft Auto wordmark is all about versatility. The custom chunky font adds to the vibrance of the design, which is amplified by the bold outline style. 

Overall, this makes the design look edgy and rebellious, perfectly capturing the spirit of the game itself. 

In addition to this, the slightly irregular placement of the words in the game’s name is such that the installment number can be seamlessly fit into the logo. This is a crucial aspect of design for large game franchises like this one. 

KIMP Tips: 

What are some design takeaways from this gaming logo? 

• Choose signature fonts that match your brand’s personality – in this case, the personality and vibe of the game. 
• Tweak typographical elements like line spacing and arrangement of letters and words to resonate with the theme of your game. The slight irregularity in the arrangement in the GTA logo aligns with the chaos and excitement of the game. 

Design Glamorous Gaming Logos With KIMP 

Versatility for gaming studios, character for specific game logos – the requirements are different for different gaming brands. Hence, what you need is a design team you can trust. A design team that understands what your brand truly is and who your audience truly is. That’s when you can design fabulous gaming logos that look good everywhere and get the job done too! So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a KIMP subscription today and take your game brand’s identity to the next level! 

Register now to experience the unlimited design difference for free with our free 7-day trial!