Microids(formerlyMicroïds) is a Frenchvideo game developerandpublisherbased inParis.Founded in 1985 by Elliot Grassiano, it attained early success with games published throughLoricielin France and other partners (includingActivisionandBroderbund) in international markets. Through expanding its staff and development teams, Microïds generated funds to expand from just development topublishinganddistributionand opening international offices. The company merged with MC2 in 2003 to create MC2-Microïds, whereafter it acquired publishers Wanadoo Edition andCryo Interactive.Grassiano left MC2-Microïds in 2005; under new management, MC2-Microïds was briefly renamed MC2 before returning to the old Microïds name. It was then acquired by Anuman Interactive in 2010, which itself was renamed Microïds (then simplified to Microids) in 2019.
 | |
| Formerly |
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|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1985inVélizy-Villacoublay,France |
| Founder | Elliot Grassiano |
| Headquarters | , France |
Key people | |
| Parent |
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| Divisions | Microids Distribution France |
| Website | microids.com |
History
editBackground and early years (1985–2003)
editMicroïds was founded by Elliot Grassiano, a Frenchprogrammer.He was educated at theLycée Louis-le-Grandschool from 1972 to 1974 and later studied engineering, electronics, and computers at theÉcole nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers.He started working as an engineer for the defence system companySAGEMin 1979. By the 1980s, Grassiano had become interested intelecommunications,consumer electronics,and video games. He acquired aThomson MO5-modelhome computer,which he used to create his first game,Space Shuttle Simulator.The game was published byLoricieland released to both critical and commercial success. Subsequently, Grassiano quit his job to establish his own company. He formally founded Microïds in 1985, setting it up inVélizy-Villacoublay,a suburb ofParis.He was aided in these efforts by Loriciel's founders, Laurent Weill and Marc Bayle, as well as Patrick Le Nestour, another engineer. The name "Microïds" was aportmanteauof "microinformatique" ( "micro-informatics" ) and "androids". Within its first year of operation, the company grew to five people, with Grassiano in the managerial role.[1]
Initially, Microïds set out to create consumerroboticsprojects before shifting its focus solely to video games. The first Microïds-developed game wasAir Attack,released by Loriciel for the Thomson MO5 to moderate commercial success. Earlyadventure gamesdeveloped by Microïds includeOceania(developed by Le Nestour and released in 1985 for the Thomson MO5 andTO7) andLes Pyramides D'Atlantys(developed by Luc Thibaud and released for theAmstrad CPCin 1986).Air Attackprovided the groundwork for subsequent Microïds games, such as500 cc Grand Prixfor the Amstrad CPC, which debuted in 1986. This game was the company's first breakthrough title, partially driven by the CPC's success in France. By way of a deal between Loriciel andActivision,the game was also released in the UK, it was also released in the US, and it was laterportedto other systems, such as theAtari ST.The American market appeared especially viable for Microïds, who believed that game sales would vastly outnumber the domestic ones. For this reason, it partnered with the American publisherBroderbundin 1987, which released several Microïds games in the country, partially under altered names. In return, Microïds managed sales of Broderbund's games, notablyPrince of PersiaandKaratekain France.[1]
Throughout the 1990s, Microïds underwent expansion, increasing both staff count and development team sizes. Development operations were accelerated to output more games, leading to increased profits. Through the new-earned funds, the company commenced operations in bothvideo game publishinganddistributionin 1995, and between then and 1997 opened three international subsidiaries: Microïds Italia inMilan,Microïds UK inMilton Keynes,and Microïds Canada inMontreal.By 1997, Microïds had 20 employees and a turnover of 20 millionFrench francs.Both increased tenfold by 2002 and the Canadian studio alone housed 105 of Microïds' 200 employees by 2003.[1]
Later years (2003–present)
editIn 2003, Microïds merged with MC2, a French software company, with the amalgam assuming the name MC2-Microïds.[1]In September that year, it acquired Wanadoo Edition, the games division ofWanadoo,which itself had been created through a September 2000 merger between Index+ and France Telecom Multimedia in exchange, Wanadoo received a 12% stake in MC2-Microïds.[1][2]In 2004, MC2-Microïds proceeded to close Microïds UK, while Microïds Italia spun off as Blue Label Entertainment.[1]Microïds Canada was sold off toUbisoftin March 2005, with the studio's 50 employees integrated into Ubisoft's ownUbisoft Montrealstudio.[1][3]Later that year, Grassiano left MC2-Microïds due to internal disagreements. He was succeeded by Index+ founder Emmanuel Olivier, who was namedchief executive officer(CEO).[1]With this management change, MC2-Microïds shortened its name to just "MC2". This decision was reversed in November 2007, when it returned to the original "Microïds" name.[1][4]In 2008, Microïds further acquired the assets andintellectual propertyof bankrupt publisherCryo Interactive.[1]
In 2009, the publisher Anuman Interactive, while in the process of being acquired byMédia-Participations,began looking for possible acquisitions of its own.[1]That November, the company announced its intent to acquire Microïds.[5]The acquisition was completed on 1 January 2010, after which Microïds continued operating as adivisionof Anuman. Alongside the acquisition, Olivier left the company. A sub-label for non-adventure games, Microïds Games for All, was launched the same year.[1]In 2013, Grassiano joined Anuman and became thevice-presidentfor Microïds.[1]Additionally, anindie gamelabel, Microïds Indie, was opened in September 2016.[6]In July 2019, the Microïds label name was simplified to "Microids".[7]That October, Microids announced that Anuman would be renamed "Microids", with Anuman CEO Stéphane Longeard becoming the CEO of Microids, co-managing it with Grassiano. Microids also opened a Japanese office run by Martial Meyssignac and Yves Bléhaut, and strengthened the Microids Indie label with a dedicated team managed by Vincent Dondaine.[8]A distribution arm, Microids Distribution France, was established in December 2020.[9]In October 2024, Microids launched a new third-party publishing unit. According to the company, the unit consists of 7 internal staffers with editorial, sourcing, and publishing experience.[10]
Investments
editMicroids has had a minority stake in OSome Studio since April 2022.[11]
Games
edit| Date | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Grand Prix 500 cc | |
| Rodeo | ||
| Demonia | ||
| 1987 | Superbike Challenge | |
| Downhill Challenge/Super Ski | ||
| 1989 | Highway Patrol | |
| Chicago 90 | ||
| 1990 | Highway Patrol 2 | |
| Super Ski 2 | ||
| Eagle's Rider | ||
| 1991 | Sliders | |
| Killerball | ||
| Grand Prix 500 2 | ||
| 1992 | Nicky Boom | |
| 1993 | Action Sport | |
| Super Sport Challenge | ||
| Genesia/Ultimate Domain | ||
| Nicky 2 | ||
| 1994 | Super Ski 3 | |
| Ultimate Domain | ||
| Carlos | ||
| 1995 | Fort Boyard - The Challenge | |
| 1996 | Evidence: The Last Report | |
| Secret Mission | ||
| 1997 | Saban'sIznogoud | |
| Des chiffres et des lettres | ||
| Rising Lands | ||
| 1998 | Shogo: Mobile Armor Division | |
| 1999 | Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy | |
| Corsairs: Conquest at Sea | ||
| Dracula: Resurrection | ||
| Speed Demons | ||
| 2000 | Empire of the Ants | |
| Far Gate | ||
| Warm Up! | ||
| 2001 | Fort Boyard | |
| Monster Racer | ||
| Road to India: Between Hell and Nirvana | ||
| Open Kart | ||
| Tennis Masters Series | ||
| Times of Conflict | ||
| Druuna: Morbus Gravis | ||
| Snow cross,developed byVicarious Visions | ||
| X'treme Roller | ||
| 2002 | Kohan: Battles of Ahriman | |
| Syberia | ||
| Post Mortem | ||
| War and Peace: 1796–1815 | ||
| Master Rallye | ||
| Warrior Kings | ||
| Casper | ||
| Tennis Masters Series 2003 | ||
| 2004 | Jack the Ripper | |
| Syberia II | ||
| 2005 | Still Life | |
| Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Moon | ||
| 2006 | Dangerous Heaven: The Legend of the Ark | [12] |
| 2007 | Sinking Island | |
| Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy | ||
| 2008 | Dracula 3 - The Path of the Dragon | |
| 2009 | Still Life 2 | |
| Return to Mysterious Island II | ||
| 2011 | Red Johnson's Chronicles | |
| 2012 | Red Johnson's Chronicles - One Against All | [13] |
| Crazy Cars: Hit the Road | ||
| 2013 | Louisiana Adventure | |
| Nicolas Eymerich, The Inquisitor: Book 1 - The Plague | ||
| Dracula 4: The Shadow of the Dragon | ||
| Dream Chamber | ||
| Dracula 5: The Blood Legacy | ||
| 2014 | 9 Elefants | |
| 2015 | Nicolas Eymerich, The Inquisitor: Book 2 - The Village | [14] |
| Subject 13 | [15] | |
| 2016 | Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders | |
| The Descendant | ||
| Moto Racer 4 | ||
| Yesterday Origins | ||
| 2017 | Syberia III | |
| Gear.Club Unlimited | ||
| 2018 | Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 | |
| Toki | ||
| 2019 | Asterix & Obelix XXL 3: The Cristal Menhir | |
| Blacksad: Under the Skin | ||
| 2020 | Asterix & Obelix XXL Romastered | |
| The Bluecoats: North & South | ||
| Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? | ||
| XIII | ||
| 2021 | Beyond a Steel Sky | |
| The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf | ||
| Marsupilami: Hoobadventure | ||
| Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! | ||
| Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo | ||
| F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch | ||
| 2022 | Syberia: The World Before | |
| Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia | ||
| Arkanoid: Eternal Battle | ||
| Garfield: Lasagna Party | ||
| Smurfs Kart | ||
| New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja | ||
| 2023 | Scrap Riders | |
| Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission | ||
| Tintin Reporter: Cigars of the Pharaoh | ||
| Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All! 2 | ||
| Flashback 2 | ||
| Inspector Gadget: Mad Time Party | ||
| Dolphin Spirit: Ocean Mission | ||
| UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves | ||
| Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express | ||
| 2024 | The Smurfs: Village Party | [16] |
| Melobot - A Last Song | [17] | |
| Flint: Treasure of Oblivion | [18] | |
| The Smurfs: Dreams | [19] | |
| Totally Spies!:Cyber Mission | [20] | |
| Empire of the Ants | [21] | |
| Arsene Lupin: Once a Thief | [22] | |
| Little Big Adventure - Twinsen’s Quest | [23] | |
| 2025 | Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy(Remake) | [24] |
| Corsairs: Battle of the Caribbean | [25] | |
| Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening | [26] |
References
edit- ^abcdefghijklmCrookes, David (21 April 2016). "From the Archives: Microïds".Retro Gamer.No. 154.Imagine Publishing.pp. 50–55.
- ^Bronstring, Marek (2 October 2003)."Microids takes over Wanadoo's games division".Adventure Gamers.Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2019.Retrieved22 October2019.
- ^GamesIndustry International (4 March 2005)."Ubisoft buys Microids Canada".Eurogamer.Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2019.Retrieved22 October2019.
- ^Allin, Jack (28 November 2007)."MICROÏDS brand re-launched".Adventure Gamers.Archivedfrom the original on 19 July 2019.Retrieved12 January2020.
- ^hosteel (23 November 2009)."Anuman s'offre Microïds"[Anuman to buy Microïds].Gamekult(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2019.Retrieved22 October2019.
- ^MalloDelic (13 September 2017)."Microïds lance son label Microïds Indie"[Microïds launches its label Microïds Indie].Jeuxvideo.com(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 18 October 2017.Retrieved12 January2020.
- ^Team Microids (11 July 2019)."Microids gets a makeover: discover our new visual identity!".Microids.Archivedfrom the original on 22 October 2019.Retrieved22 October2019.
- ^Valentine, Rebekah (21 October 2019)."Anuman Interactive becomes Microids, opens Japan office".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on 21 October 2019.Retrieved12 January2020.
- ^Dealessandri, Marie (18 December 2020)."Microids announces in-house distribution arm".GamesIndustry.biz.
- ^"Microids launches new third-party publishing division with Kwalee collaboration".Gamesindustry.biz.Retrieved30 October2024.
- ^Microids (13 April 2022)."Microids acquires a stake in OSome Studio".
- ^Gerli, Damiano (24 May 2023)."Dangerous Heaven, The DVD Game That Aimed To Unify Hardware Platforms".Time Extension.Hookshot Media.Retrieved24 May2023.
- ^"Red Johnson's Chronicles - One Against All".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on 21 September 2019.Retrieved12 January2020.
- ^"Microïds".Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved3 September2015.
- ^"Microïds".Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2015.Retrieved26 December2015.
- ^Microids (6 June 2024).The Smurfs – Village Party – Balio Studio & Microids.Retrieved6 June2024– via YouTube.
- ^Microids (16 September 2024).Melobot – A Last Song – Announcement Trailer.Retrieved17 September2024– via YouTube.
- ^"Microids and Savage Level announce tactical RPG Flint: Treasure of Oblivion for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC".Gematsu.4 April 2024.Retrieved28 May2024.
- ^"Adventure platformer The Smurfs: Dreams announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC".Gematsu.29 April 2024.Retrieved28 May2024.
- ^Moyse, Chris (1 May 2023)."Totally Spies! to return in 2024 with new season and video game".Destructoid.Gamurs Group.Archivedfrom the original on 20 March 2024.Retrieved20 March2024.
- ^Microids (14 March 2024).Empire of the Ants – GDC 2024 Trailer.Retrieved28 May2024– via YouTube.
- ^"Microids announces adventure game Arsene Lupin: Once a Thief for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC".Gematsu.27 May 2024.Retrieved28 May2024.
- ^Microids (26 June 2024).Little Big Adventure – Twinsen's Quest – Reveal Trailer.Retrieved26 June2024– via YouTube.
- ^Smith, Ed (7 March 2024)."After 25 years, one forgotten PC classic is getting a complete remake".PCGamesN.Network N.Archivedfrom the original on 20 March 2024.Retrieved20 March2024.
- ^Microids (3 June 2024).Corsairs – Battle of the Caribbean – Reveal Teaser.Retrieved3 June2024– via YouTube.
- ^Microids (9 September 2024).Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening – Reveal Teaser.Retrieved13 September2024– via YouTube.