AAA (video game industry)

In the video game industry, AAA, also known as triple-A, is a term used to classify video games produced or distributed by a mid-sized or major publisher, which typically have higher development and marketing budgets than other tiers of games. The term originated in the 1990s and 2000s as development budgets for high-profile video games, such as Final Fantasy VII, grew into the tens of millions of U.S. dollars. Such costs were incurred due to the use of cinematic cutscenes and voice acting, coupled with higher fidelity graphics made possible with video game hardware.

By the late 2010s and early 2020s, the boundaries of the AAA label had become increasingly fluid as development budgets rose and production pipelines grew more complex. Some industry commentators noted that the escalating cost of producing large-scale titles encouraged publishers to invest primarily in established franchises, leading to fewer experimental projects within the AAA space. Others argued that advancements in game engines, digital distribution, and crowdfunding allowed smaller studios to achieve production values approaching those of traditional AAA teams, further blurring categorical distinctions. AAA games also began heavily to rely on microtransactions and operating as live service games. Such changes led to the growth of the indie game market in the mid 2010s, as well as other categories of games, such as AA games, representing works by smaller teams but with the quality and approach used in AAA games.

History

The term "AAA" began to be used in the late 1990s by game retailers attempting to gauge interest in upcoming titles. The term was likely borrowed from the credit industry's bond ratings, where "AAA" bonds represent the safest investment opportunity and are the most likely to meet their financial goals.