What Asobo Studio does

Asobo Studio is a French independent video game developer founded in 2002 in Bordeaux by 12 co-founders and currently employing approximately 260 collaborators. The studio's core portfolio centers on two franchises. The first is Microsoft Flight Simulator, developed under a long-term strategic co-development partnership with Xbox Game Studios and Microsoft, leveraging Azure AI, satellite data, and proprietary cloud-streaming technology to deliver a photorealistic digital twin of Earth across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The second is the A Plague Tale series (Innocence, 2019; Requiem, 2022; and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, August 2026), narrative-driven action-adventure games published by Focus Entertainment with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass. Across more than 20 years Asobo has shipped 25 games, including licensed work for Disney/Pixar (Ratatouille) and historical collaborations with Ubisoft and Codemasters, accumulating 13+ million units sold and 40+ industry awards including The Game Awards, DICE Awards, and multiple Pégases. The studio also operates HoloForge Interactive, a wholly-owned B2B division focused on Microsoft HoloLens and augmented-reality enterprise solutions.

The business model is a hybrid of premium one-time licensing and subscription distribution. Premium editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator are sold at $69.99–$199.99 across Steam, Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, and physical retail, with expansion content (e.g., Reno Air Races, Embraer Praetor 600 Expert Series) sold separately. Simultaneously, day-one Xbox Game Pass availability generates subscription-driven revenue share across both flagship franchises, and the Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy pre-order is positioned at $49.99 across all major storefronts. In January 2021, Sagard NewGen acquired a minority stake from the founders, enabling broader employee equity participation while preserving the studio's creative and strategic autonomy. Distribution spans global digital storefronts, physical retail, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the Game Pass subscription channel, with a dedicated B2B AR sales motion through HoloForge Interactive.

Name

Asobo Studio

Legal name

Asobo Studio

Website

https://asobostudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Asobo Studio is an independent French video game developer of Microsoft Flight Simulator and the A Plague Tale series, founded in 2002 in Bordeaux with 260+ employees, distributing via Xbox Game Pass, Steam, PlayStation, and retail, and operating a B2B AR division (HoloForge Interactive).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Game Development

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Video game development
• Flight simulation software
• Narrative adventure games
• Augmented reality solutions
• Interactive entertainment software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordeaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Game Sales - Premium Titles: Traditional premium game sales at $49.99-$199.99 price points depending on edition, sold through Steam, Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, and retail
2. Microsoft Flight Simulator Editions: Multiple editions (Standard $69.99 to Premium $199.99) with varying aircraft counts and content, available via Game Pass and purchase
3. Game Pass Revenue Share: Day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass for Microsoft Flight Simulator titles generates revenue through Microsoft partnership and subscriber acquisition
4. Expansion Content: Expansions and additional content for existing franchises (e.g., Reno Air Races expansion for MSFS)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Asobo Studio is a French video game developer that designs and ships premium video game franchises, most notably the Microsoft Flight Simulator series (developed as an Xbox Game Studios partner using Azure AI and procedural world generation) and the narrative action-adventure A Plague Tale series (published by Focus Entertainment). It also operates HoloForge Interactive, a dedicated B2B division that builds Microsoft HoloLens and custom augmented reality solutions for enterprise customers.

Product overview

Asobo Studio is a French video game development company based in Bordeaux, France, founded in 2002 with over 260 employees. The company develops games across multiple franchises and technology platforms. Its core product portfolio includes the A Plague Tale series (Innocence, Requiem, and upcoming Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy), narrative-driven action-adventure games published by Focus Entertainment; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, developed in partnership with Microsoft featuring Azure AI-powered hyper-realistic flight simulation with global coverage; and HoloForge Interactive, a B2B division focused on Augmented Reality enterprise solutions. The studio has created 25 games over its 20+ year history and works with major industry partners including Disney/Pixar, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Focus Home Interactive, and Codemasters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HoloForge Interactive: Augmented Reality B2B division of Asobo Studio specializing in Microsoft HoloLens applications and solutions.

Products and services

• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Flight simulation game leveraging Azure AI and satellite data to deliver hyper-realistic graphics, dynamic weather, and global map coverage from Antarctica to sprawling cities. Sold through Xbox Store, Steam, and via Xbox Game Pass.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Most ambitious entry in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise, with a new Career System, digital twin of Earth with 4,000x improved ground detail, cloud streaming reducing installation to 30 GB, 70–125 aircraft depending on edition, and aviation career activities including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and air ambulance operations. Available on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PlayStation 5.
• A Plague Tale: Innocence Original narrative-driven action-adventure game produced in partnership with Focus Home Interactive, praised for its artistic direction, gameplay experience and narrative design. Sold over 1 million copies worldwide and won Outstanding Story-Rich Game at the Steam Awards plus six Pégases awards.
• A Plague Tale: Requiem Sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, continuing the emotional journey of Amicia and her brother Hugo in a brutal medieval world. Won 4 Pégases awards in 2023. Released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch via cloud.
• Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Third entry in the A Plague Tale series, a prequel set 15 years before the original featuring new protagonist Sophia, introducing more combat-focused Soulslike gameplay with exploration, stealth, combat, and light manipulation puzzles. Scheduled for launch on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC with day-one Xbox Game Pass availability; publisher Focus Entertainment.
• HoloForge Interactive B2B division of Asobo Studio dedicated to crafting Augmented Reality solutions using Microsoft HoloLens and other AR technologies for enterprise clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Microsoft Flight Simulator achieved 91/100 Metacritic score and won Best Sim/Strategy Game at Game Awards 2020
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2024Microsoft is the primary strategic partner for the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. Asobo Studio develops the franchise as an Xbox Game Studios partner, leveraging Azure AI, satellite data, and cloud streaming technology. The partnership includes day-one Game Pass availability for new titles.
• Focus EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 January 2021Focus Entertainment publishes the A Plague Tale series including Innocence, Requiem, and upcoming Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. Asobo works with Focus for European distribution and publishing services.
• HoloForge InteractiveminorOthersHoloForge Interactive is Asobo Studio's dedicated B2B division for Augmented Reality solutions, including Microsoft HoloLens applications and custom AR solutions for enterprise clients.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Playground Games: UK-based Xbox Game Studios partner (Forza Horizon franchise), ~250+ employees, comparable size and partnership model to Asobo's Flight Simulator relationship with Microsoft. Both studios are premium-tier console/PC developers with Microsoft as their anchor partner.
• Rare: UK-based Microsoft-owned studio (Sea of Thieves, Donkey Kong Country). Comparable premium game studio under Xbox Game Studios with similar employee scale, multi-platform distribution via Game Pass, and long-running franchise IP stewardship.
• Don't Nod: French narrative-driven game studio (Life is Strange, Tell Me Why) of similar headcount and creative positioning to Asobo's A Plague Tale team. Both are mid-sized premium European narrative studios with comparable award-track records.
• Quantic Dream: French narrative game studio (Detroit: Become Human, Heavy Rain) of comparable size (~250 employees) and creative DNA. Both are Bordeaux/Paris-based premium narrative adventure studios with similar production profiles and international publisher relationships.
• Ninja Theory: UK-based Microsoft-owned studio (Hellblade: Senua's Saga) of similar headcount and premium narrative-action positioning. Comparable AAA-but-mid-budget studio model with Microsoft distribution leverage.
• Laminar Research: Developer of X-Plane, the most direct competitor to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Both studios target enthusiast and prosumer flight-sim communities with high-fidelity global environments, premium pricing, and ongoing content updates.
• Larian Studios: Belgian premium RPG studio (Baldur's Gate 3) of similar employee scale, award trajectory, and premium PC/console positioning. Both are European premium studios that achieved breakout global hits while remaining independent.
• CD Projekt Red: Polish premium narrative RPG studio (The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077). Comparable as a European premium narrative studio with blockbuster franchise IP, multi-platform reach, and recurring expansion/DLC monetization.
• Avalanche Studios: Swedish open-world game developer (Just Cause, Mad Max) of comparable headcount and AAA premium positioning. Both studios combine proprietary tech (procedural generation, world simulation) with major publisher partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Focus Entertainment: Asobo's publisher for the A Plague Tale series and a broader publisher/developer with multiple internal studios (e.g., Deck13, Dotemu). Comparable as a French-headquartered premium games group with publisher-developer relationships across Europe.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AsoboStudio
• Facebookfacebook.com/asobostudio
• Instagraminstagram.com/asobo_studio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asobo-studio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asobo Studio