Microids

What Microids does

Microids SA is a privately-held French video game publisher and distributor headquartered in Paris, founded in 1985. The company operates across two principal business lines: publishing and distribution. On the publishing side, Microids releases games through wholly-owned internal development studios — Microids Studio Paris and Microids Studio Lyon — and through a network of external development partners including Balio Studio, BingoBell, Kwalee, Clover Bite, Magic Pockets, Mooneye Studios, 3DClouds, OSome Studio, I-Illusions, and Yuke's. Its catalog spans licensed intellectual property adaptations (Asterix & Obelix, Garfield, The Smurfs, Tintin, Agatha Christie, Space Adventure Cobra, Marsupilami, King of Tokyo), proprietary adventure franchises (Syberia, Amerzone, Little Big Adventure), and licensed action/RPG/racing titles (Double Dragon Revive, Kaku: Ancient Seal, Formula Legends, Garfield Kart 2, House of the Dead 2). Releases target PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series, and Nintendo Switch via both digital storefronts and physical retail.

The company segments its publishing into sub-brands: Microids (core catalog), Microids Indie (independent titles), Microids Life (casual/lifestyle), and Microids Replay (remasters and retro re-releases). On the distribution side, Microids Distribution France — established in 2020 — provides physical retail logistics for both Microids' own titles and third-party publishers including Arc System Works, NIS America, Kalypso Games, Forever Entertainment, Maximum Games, and Meridiem Games across France and, for select partners, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa.

The business model is primarily one-time license sales of games on digital storefronts and physical retail, supplemented by transaction-fee distribution services. Customer segments are horizontal: mass-market gaming consumers on the demand side and IP licensors (entertainment franchises, board game publishers) plus third-party publishers on the supply side. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or external investors identified.

Name

Microids

Legal name

Microids SA

Website

https://microids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Microids SA is a privately-held French video game publisher and distributor founded in 1985 and headquartered in Paris. It publishes licensed IP adaptations (Asterix, Garfield, Smurfs, Agatha Christie) and proprietary adventure/action titles via internal studios and external developers, while operating a third-party physical distribution arm across European and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

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, Licensing, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Video Game Sales: Revenue from publishing and selling video games across physical retail and digital storefronts including Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo Switch eShop.
2. Distribution Services: Physical retail distribution services for third-party publishers including titles from Arc System Works, NIS America, Kalypso, Forever Entertainment, and others across European markets.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Microids is a French video game publisher founded in 1985 that develops, publishes, and distributes video games across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. The company specializes in adventure games and adaptations of famous licensed intellectual properties including Asterix & Obelix, Garfield, The Smurfs, Tintin, and Agatha Christie. It operates internal development studios in Paris and Lyon, partners with external development studios, and runs a distribution arm (Microids Distribution France) serving third-party publishers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Product overview

Microids is a French video game publisher with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple sub-brands. The core Microids label publishes licensed IP games (Asterix & Obelix, Garfield, The Smurfs, Tintin, Totally Spies!, Agatha Christie) alongside original titles. Microids Indie handles independent games, Microids Life covers casual content, and Microids Replay focuses on retro remasters. Microids Distribution provides retail distribution services for third-party publishers. Key franchises include Syberia, Amerzone, and Little Big Adventure ( Benoît Sokal titles), action games (Double Dragon Revive, GRIME), RPGs (Kaku: Ancient Seal, Empire of the Ants), racing (Formula Legends, Garfield Kart), and licensed adaptations (Agatha Christie mysteries, Space Adventure Cobra). Games are released across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Microids Indie: Indie game publishing label
• Microids Life
• Microids Replay
• Microids Distribution
• Microids Distribution France

Products and services

• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon An adventure game based on the Asterix & Obelix licensed IP for PC and major consoles, targeting fans of the franchise and adventure game players.
• Double Dragon Revive A modern revival of the classic Double Dragon beat-'em-up arcade franchise for PC and consoles.
• Kaku: Ancient Seal An open-world action-adventure game for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
• Garfield – Escape from Monday A Garfield-themed adventure game for PC and consoles based on the famous comic IP.
• Syberia Remastered A remastered version of the classic Syberia adventure game, re-released for modern platforms with updated visuals and features.
• Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy A remake of the classic Amerzone exploration adventure game for PC and consoles.
• Formula Legends – Legacy Edition A racing game for PC and consoles featuring historical Formula racing.
• GRIME II Definitive Edition An indie action-adventure game published by Microids under its Microids Indie sub-brand.
• Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia A platformer game sequel based on the Marsupilami licensed IP.
• King of Tokyo A digital adaptation of the King of Tokyo tabletop board game for PC and consoles.
• Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening An adventure game based on the Space Adventure Cobra manga IP for PC and consoles.
• Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile An investigation/adventure game based on Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile novel for PC and consoles.
• Little Big Adventure – Twinsen's Quest A modern reimagining of the classic Little Big Adventure action-adventure franchise for PC and consoles.
• Lost Ember: Wolf Pack Edition A physical special edition of the Lost Ember exploration adventure game for consoles.
• Garfield Kart 2 – All You Can Drift A kart-racing sequel featuring the Garfield IP for PC and consoles.
• Microids Distribution France A physical and digital distribution service operated by Microids for third-party game publishers across France, with broader reach into EMEA territories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Luna Abyss received Metacritic score of 81 since digital launch on May 21, 2026

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, major and minor.

• KwaleecoreTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2026Kwalee developed Luna Abyss, which Microids distributes physically for PlayStation 5. The game earned a Metacritic score of 81.
• NIS AmericastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Strategic partnership with NIS America, a renowned publisher, announced January 15, 2025. A leading French player in the video game industry for nearly 40 years.
• Arc System WorksmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 October 2024Distribution agreement for Double Dragon Revive covering physical retail distribution in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, and Africa. Microids strengthens its retail distribution expertise by partnering with renowned Japanese publisher Arc System Works.
• Kalypso GamesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 February 2024Microids Distribution France became official distributor of Kalypso games in France, known for strategy and simulation games.
• Forever EntertainmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 July 2021Distribution agreement for Panzer Dragoon and The House of the Dead franchises announced in July 2021.
• Maximum GamesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2021Distribution deal for Maximum Games' physical releases including Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, The Forgotten City, and Xuan Yuan Sword 7 in France.
• Meridiem GamesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 April 2021Distribution deal for Meridiem's titles in France through Microids Distribution France.
• Balio StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalio Studios developed Asterix & Obelix: Mission Babylon, published by Microids for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
• Yuke'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYuke's developed Double Dragon Revive in collaboration with Arc System Works. Microids handles physical distribution in Europe and other regions.
• BingoBellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBingoBell developed Kaku: Ancient Seal, an action RPG published by Microids for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.
• OSome StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSome Studio developed Garfield – Escape from Monday, a 3D platforming adventure published by Microids.
• I-IllusionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerI-Illusions developed Shredders, a snowboarding game, with physical PlayStation 5 edition published by Microids.
• 3DCloudsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3DClouds developed Formula Legends, with Legacy Edition published physically by Microids for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch.
• Magic PocketsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagic Pockets developed Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening, published by Microids.
• Mooneye StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMooneye Studios developed Lost Ember: Wolf Pack Edition, with retail release by Microids for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.
• SneakyBoxcoreTechnology or IntegrationSneakyBox provided console development for Kaku: Ancient Seal, developed by BingoBell for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Focus Entertainment (PulluP Entertainment): French-headquartered mid-tier publisher of video games across multiple genres and platforms, with both internal studios and licensed/owned IPs. Directly comparable to Microids in geography, scale, and the dual publishing-plus-distribution model.
• Nacon: French video game publisher and distributor (BigBen Interactive subsidiary) operating a multi-label publishing and accessories strategy across European and global markets. Comparable to Microids in the French mid-tier publisher profile and in running a distribution operation alongside game publishing.
• THQ Nordic: European publisher that has built a portfolio through acquiring classic and licensed IPs and regularly re-releases/remasters legacy catalog on modern platforms. Directly analogous to Microids' licensed-IP plus remaster strategy across multi-platform releases.
• 505 Games: Italy-based mid-tier publisher releasing games across PC and consoles, including licensed IP and remastered catalog, working with external development studios. Similar business model and scale to Microids.
• Koch Media / Plaion: European physical and digital game distribution plus publishing operation, with multi-territory retail reach. Comparable to Microids Distribution France and the publisher-distributor hybrid model Microids operates.
• Kalypso Media: Germany-based mid-tier publisher of strategy, simulation and family games with in-house European distribution. Directly comparable in size, genre mix, and multi-territory European publishing footprint — and is an existing Microids distribution partner.
• NIS America: US-based publishing arm of Nippon Ichi Software focused on bringing Japanese-developed titles to Western physical and digital markets. Directly comparable as a publisher of localised, multi-platform physical editions and a current Microids strategic partner.
• Maximum Games: Mid-tier publisher of multi-platform console and PC games including licensed IPs, with established European retail distribution. Comparable scale and business model; existing Microids Distribution France partner.
• Forever Entertainment: Polish publisher that revitalises classic gaming IPs (Panzer Dragoon, House of the Dead) through modern remakes and re-releases. Closely analogous to Microids Replay and the licensed retro-IP model — and an existing Microids Distribution France partner.

Broad incumbents

• Embracer Group: Large global gaming and entertainment group operating numerous publishing and distribution labels including THQ Nordic, Plaion and others. Functions as a broader incumbent operating the same kind of IP-and-distribution playbook that Microids executes at sub-scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Microids_off
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9-1o8dj5vp5T1d1aVuHEWQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/microids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/microids
• TikToktiktok.com/@microids?lang=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Microids