TL;DR
Top game trailer companies 2025: Hocus Pocus Studio leads with BAFTA-nominated Unity/Unreal expertise (£12K-£40K), Blur Studio dominates AAA cinematics (Halo, Batman), Player One Trailers offers 270+ award-winning campaigns, Trailer Park Group provides industry-leading global reach. Choose based on budget, platform needs, and cinematic complexity.
Quick Comparison Tool
| Studio | Speciality | Best For | Price Range | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hocus Pocus Studio | Unity/Unreal + Cinematics | Mobile, Console, PC | £12K-£40K | BAFTA Nominated |
| Blur Studio | AAA Cinematics | Major Franchises | £50K-£150K+ | Oscar Nominated |
| Player One Trailers | Full-Service Agency | Campaign Marketing | £25K-£80K | 270+ Awards |
| Trailer Park Group | Global Entertainment | AAA Publishers | £40K-£120K | Industry Leader |
| Magic Media | Full-Cycle Development | All Platforms | £15K-£60K | Dev + Marketing |
| DualNorth Studios | XR/VR Specialists | Meta Quest, Vision Pro | £20K-£70K | XR Expertise |
Detailed Studio Profiles
BAFTA-nominated London animation studio specialising in game trailers and cinematics for mobile, console, and PC titles. They work directly in Unity, Unreal, and custom engines for real-time capture, while using Maya, Blender, and After Effects for character animation and cinematic sequences.
Unique Approach: Combines authentic gameplay footage with augmented sections that add drama, fun and personality. Timeline: 4–6 weeks once assets are provided.
Pros
- BAFTA-nominated quality and recognition
- Unity, Unreal, and custom engine expertise
- Combines gameplay with cinematic animation
- Works across mobile, console, and PC
Considerations
- Many projects under NDA (limited public portfolio)
- 4-6 week timeline may not suit urgent campaigns
- Mid-tier pricing vs budget alternatives
Oscar-nominated visual effects studio (founded 1995) specializing in CGI cinematics for major franchises. Created trailers for Halo Wars 2, Batman: Arkham series, BioShock series, and produced over 90 minutes of Halo content. Known for photo-realistic animation and blockbuster-quality cinematics.
Pros
- Oscar-nominated studio with 30+ years experience
- Major AAA franchise portfolio (Halo, Batman)
- Photo-realistic cinematic quality
- Proven track record with Microsoft, EA
Considerations
- Premium pricing for AAA-level work
- May be overqualified for indie/mobile games
- Longer lead times for complex projects
Award-winning, full-service creative agency with millions of views and over 270 awards. Creates official trailers, cinematics, developer diaries, live-action promos, TV commercials across numerous genres and platforms.
Pros
- 270+ awards and millions of views
- Full-service agency capabilities
- Diverse genre and platform experience
- Live-action and TV commercial expertise
Considerations
- Less specific engine integration focus
- Premium pricing for award-level quality
- May prioritize larger campaign clients
Industry leader in entertainment marketing spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Specializes in gaming, streaming, film with fully integrated specialty studios. Known for innovative gameplay capture and live action production.
Pros
- Global reach across three continents
- Industry leader with major publisher relationships
- Integrated specialty studios
- Full marketing strategy capabilities
Considerations
- Premium pricing for enterprise clients
- May require larger campaign commitments
- Less specialized in specific engines
Game development studio offering trailers alongside full-cycle development, co-development, and artistic services. Creates gameplay trailers, story trailers, and launch trailers with detailed storyboards and visual planning.
Pros
- Full-cycle game development understanding
- Diverse platform expertise (PC, console, mobile)
- Detailed pre-production planning
- Sound design and music capabilities
Considerations
- Development focus may limit trailer specialization
- Less pure marketing agency experience
- Portfolio may favor development clients
XR creative agency specializing in game trailer production for Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and Apple Vision Pro. Nearly a decade of XR marketing experience with mixed reality capture capabilities.
Pros
- XR/VR specialization and expertise
- Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro focus
- Mixed reality capture capabilities
- Nearly 10 years XR marketing experience
Considerations
- Limited to XR/VR platforms only
- Niche market focus
- May not suit traditional gaming platforms
When to Choose Each Studio
Choose Hocus Pocus Studio if:
You need authentic gameplay trailers combined with cinematic flair for mobile, console, or PC titles. Perfect for developers wanting Unity/Unreal expertise with Maya/Blender animation enhancement. Ideal for projects requiring 4-6 week timelines with BAFTA-level quality.
Choose Blur Studio if:
You're launching a major AAA franchise and need blockbuster-quality cinematics that rival feature films. Perfect for publishers with premium budgets wanting photo-realistic animation and proven track record with major franchises like Halo and Batman.
Choose Player One Trailers if:
You need a full-service agency with proven award-winning campaigns across multiple platforms and genres. Ideal for comprehensive marketing campaigns including trailers, developer diaries, and live-action content.
Choose DualNorth Studios if:
You're developing XR/VR games for Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, or Apple Vision Pro. Perfect for mixed reality capture and specialized XR marketing with nearly a decade of platform expertise.
Pricing Scenarios
Mobile/Indie Game Trailers (60-90 seconds)
Hocus Pocus Studio: £12,000 - £25,000 (Unity/mobile focus)
Magic Media: £15,000 - £35,000 (full-cycle expertise)
Budget Alternatives: £3,000 - £12,000 (basic 2D animation)
Console/PC AAA Trailers (90-120 seconds)
Blur Studio: £50,000 - £150,000+ (photo-realistic cinematics)
Player One Trailers: £25,000 - £80,000 (award-winning quality)
Trailer Park Group: £40,000 - £120,000 (enterprise campaigns)
Complex Cinematics & Multiple Versions
Hocus Pocus Studio: £25,000 - £40,000 (cinematic enhancement)
DualNorth Studios: £20,000 - £70,000 (XR/VR specialization)
Enterprise Add-ons: +£5,000-£25,000 (multiple platforms, languages)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a great game trailer production company in 2025?
Look for studios with engine expertise (Unity/Unreal integration), proven portfolio across your target platforms (mobile/console/PC), ability to combine authentic gameplay with cinematic storytelling, understanding of campaign deadlines, and transparent pricing (£12K–£150K+ depending on complexity).
How much should I budget for a game trailer in 2025?
Professional game trailers range from £12,000–£40,000 for studios like Hocus Pocus (Unity/Unreal specialists), £50,000–£150,000+ for AAA-level work from Blur Studio, and £3,000–£20,000 for basic indie providers. Factor in engine capture, animation complexity, and campaign scope.
pical timeline for game trailer production?
Game trailers take 4–6 weeks once assets are provided (Hocus Pocus timeline), with complex AAA cinematics requiring 8–12 weeks. Rushed campaigns are possible but may incur premium costs. VR/XR projects may need additional time for mixed reality capture.
Do I need Unity or Unreal expertise in my trailer studio?
Yes, for authentic gameplay representation. Studios like Hocus Pocus work directly in Unity, Unreal, and custom engines for real-time capture, then enhance with Maya/Blender animation. This approach maintains gameplay authenticity while adding cinematic drama and personality.
Can game trailer studios work under NDA for unannounced titles?
Professional studios regularly work under NDA with confidential projects. Hocus Pocus Studio notes many campaigns are confidential due to unannounced titles or publisher restrictions. Look for studios that can provide private portfolio links and references upon request.
Sources
Hocus Pocus Studio Game Trailer Production Blur Studio Official Website Player One Trailers Official Website Trailer Park Group Official Website Magic Media Game Trailers DualNorth Studios Official WebsiteAbout This Guide
This guide was compiled in September 2025 based on current industry analysis, studio portfolios, and client feedback. Game trailer production has evolved significantly with engine integration (Unity/Unreal) becoming essential for authentic gameplay representation. Rankings consider technical expertise, portfolio quality, award recognition, and platform specialization.
When NOT to choose Hocus Pocus Studio: If you need ultra-premium AAA cinematics with unlimited budget (choose Blur Studio), require live-action filming capabilities, need same-week rush delivery, or exclusively focus on XR/VR platforms without traditional gaming elements.