Studio Agate
Studio Agate is a French independent studio (founded 2012, 1–10 employees) that designs, publishes, and translates tabletop role-playing games in French and English, serving hobbyist TTRPG players worldwide with original IPs such as Shadows of Esteren and licensed titles including 7th Sea.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersLa Garenne-colombes, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Studio Agate does
Studio Agate is a French independent tabletop role-playing game studio founded in 2012 and headquartered in La Garenne-Colombes in the Paris metropolitan area. The studio specializes in world-building, game design, and transmedia, publishing role-playing games in both French and English. Its catalog combines original proprietary titles—including Shadows of Esteren (the most awarded French RPG), Fateforge, Tainted Grail, Nemesis, and Dragons—with French translations of licensed international games such as 7th Sea, Vampire: the Requiem, and Iron Kingdoms. Across these lines the studio has accumulated approximately twelve international awards.
The studio operates with a small team of 1–10 employees and generates revenue through a diversified set of streams: direct sales of RPG books and PDFs via its own portal, Backerkit pre-orders, crowdfunding campaigns on Gamefound (e.g., Nemesis), Patreon subscriptions, royalties from translation and licensing agreements with major US and UK RPG publishers, and soundtrack/music sales through the Esteren Label on Bandcamp. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer digital and physical sales with regional retail partnerships (e.g., kickandgo.net in France) and global crowdfunding platforms, targeting tabletop RPG enthusiasts across Europe, North America, and Oceania. Customer segments are horizontal, centered on hobbyist TTRPG players seeking specific genre experiences (gothic horror, dark fantasy, swashbuckling adventure, sci-fi horror, steampunk).
Studio Agate is privately held and founder-operated, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or institutional funding. The technology footprint is modest: a JavaScript-based website and portal hosted on OVH, with no proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities. Community engagement runs through Discord, two Patreon pages, a dedicated blog, and YouTube, supporting a transmedia approach that blends game publishing, world-building, and music production under a unified brand.
Studio Agate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Studio Agate
- Legal name
- Studio Agate
- Website
- https://studio-agate.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Studio Agate is a French independent studio (founded 2012, 1–10 employees) that designs, publishes, and translates tabletop role-playing games in French and English, serving hobbyist TTRPG players worldwide with original IPs such as Shadows of Esteren and licensed titles including 7th Sea.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Studio Agate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tabletop Role-Playing Game Publishing
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Indie Publishing & Label Services (Funding, Marketing, Release Management) (MPAFABAF), Creator Music/SFX Asset Libraries & Licensing Platforms (MPACABAM)
Keywords
Where Studio Agate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Garenne-colombes
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Studio Agate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- RPG Book and Game Sales: Studio Agate publishes and sells role-playing games in French and English, including original IPs (Shadows of Esteren, Fateforge, Nemesis, Tainted Grail) and licensed games (7th Sea, Vampire: the Requiem, Iron Kingdoms). Revenue is generated through direct sales via their portal, pre-orders through Backerkit, and crowdfunding campaigns on Gamefound.
- Licensing and Translation: The studio translates and publishes licenses of major games in French, including 7th Sea, Vampire: the Requiem, and Iron Kingdoms. This represents a licensing/royalties revenue stream from original IP holders.
- Music Production (Esteren Label): Studio Agate produces music through their Esteren label on Bandcamp, generating revenue from music sales related to their RPG properties.
- Patreon Subscription: The studio maintains a Patreon page providing ongoing patron support, likely offering exclusive content or early access to backers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Studio Agate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Studio Agate is an independent French studio that designs, publishes, and distributes tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) in both French and English. Its portfolio combines original proprietary IPs (e.g., Shadows of Esteren, Fateforge, Tainted Grail, Nemesis) with licensed French translations of international TTRPGs (e.g., 7th Sea, Vampire: the Requiem, Iron Kingdoms). The studio also produces music through its Esteren label, extending its properties into transmedia formats.
Product overview
Studio Agate operates as a French independent studio specializing in world building, game design, and transmedia for tabletop role-playing games. The company publishes both original proprietary titles and licensed translations of international RPGs. Original core products include Shadows of Esteren (the most awarded French RPG), Fateforge, Tainted Grail, Nemesis, and Dragons, alongside licensed French translations of 7th Sea, Iron Kingdoms, Vampire: the Requiem, and several other titles. The studio also maintains a music production arm called the Esteren Label. The portfolio spans multiple genres including dark romanticism, Arthurian fantasy, horror sci-fi, steampunk, and sword-and-sorcery, with products available in both French and English languages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Winner of approximately a dozen international awards for RPG publications
Companies that use Studio Agate
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Studio Agate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Studio Agate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kickstarter/BackerkitcoreBackerkit hosts pre-orders for Studio Agate products, enabling crowdfunding and pre-sale distribution of physical and digital RPG products.
- GamefoundcoreGamefound is used for crowdfunding projects such as Nemesis, a horror sci-fi TTRPG. Studio Agate runs project-based campaigns on this platform.
- Bandcamp (Esteren Label)minorStudio Agate produces and distributes music through their Esteren label on Bandcamp, supporting their transmedia strategy and generating additional revenue from soundtrack and music sales.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Studio Agate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Free League Publishing: Swedish TTRPG publisher known for original, award-winning IPs across horror, sci-fi, and fantasy (Tales from the Loop, Mörk Borg, Vaesen). Comparable to Studio Agate as an indie publisher whose original IPs have won international acclaim and that also licenses select international titles.
- Black Book Editions: Major French TTRPG publisher (Chroniques Oubliées, Shadowrun French, Pathfinder French). Directly comparable as a French-market competitor and likely the principal French-language TTRPG publisher competing with Studio Agate for shelf space and translation rights.
- Cubicle 7 Games: UK-based TTRPG publisher combining original titles (Age of Sigmar Soulbound, Wrath & Glory) with licensed adaptations (Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings). Comparable to Studio Agate as an indie publisher mixing licensed IPs with proprietary world-building.
- Arkhane Asylum Publishing: French indie TTRPG publisher with a focus on dark fantasy and investigative horror (Broken Tales, Shadows of Sand). Comparable as a small French-language TTRPG publisher operating in adjacent dark fantasy/horror niches.
- Evil Hat Productions: US-based TTRPG publisher behind the Fate system and titles like Thirsty Sword Lesbians. Comparable to Studio Agate as an independent, award-recognized TTRPG studio with a community-led GTM approach.
- Modiphius Entertainment: UK-based indie tabletop RPG publisher with a similar model of publishing both original IPs and licensed translations (e.g., Star Trek, Achtung! Cthulhu, Dune). Comparable to Studio Agate as a mid-sized TTRPG studio combining licensed catalog with proprietary world-building.
- Chaosium: US-based TTRPG publisher of Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, and other iconic games. Comparable to Studio Agate as a specialist TTRPG publisher with a deep catalog of original IPs and horror/fantasy genre focus.
Broad incumbents
- Ulisses Spiele: German TTRPG publisher of The Dark Eye, Pathfinder German edition, and other major licenses. Comparable as a European TTRPG publisher that combines German-language licensing of major international brands with proprietary IPs.
- Wizards of the Coast: Publisher of Dungeons & Dragons and owner of the broader Hasbro gaming portfolio. Comparable as the dominant TTRPG publisher whose brand portfolio, licensing decisions, and direct international expansion shape the competitive landscape Studio Agate operates within.
- Paizo: US-based publisher of Pathfinder and Starfinder, one of the two largest non-Wizards TTRPG publishers globally. Comparable as a TTRPG publisher with major original IPs whose European/French distribution involves licensing to third parties — a competitive threat and a potential licensor relationship for Studio Agate.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Studio Agate social profiles
Digital presenceStudio Agate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Studio Agate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Studio Agate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Studio Agate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Studio Agate
What does Studio Agate do?
Studio Agate is an independent French studio that designs, publishes, and distributes tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) in both French and English. Its portfolio combines original proprietary IPs (e.g., Shadows of Esteren, Fateforge, Tainted Grail, Nemesis) with licensed French translations of international TTRPGs (e.g., 7th Sea, Vampire: the Requiem, Iron Kingdoms). The studio also produces music through its Esteren label, extending its properties into transmedia formats.
Is Studio Agate a public or private company?
Studio Agate is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Studio Agate founded?
Studio Agate was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Studio Agate based?
Studio Agate is headquartered in La Garenne-colombes, France, in the Europe region.
How does Studio Agate make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. RPG Book and Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Translation, music Production (Esteren Label) and patreon Subscription.
Who are Studio Agate's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Free League Publishing, Black Book Editions, Cubicle 7 Games, Arkhane Asylum Publishing, Evil Hat Productions, Modiphius Entertainment and Chaosium. Broad incumbents are Ulisses Spiele, Wizards of the Coast and Paizo.
Does Studio Agate have an API?
No public API is recorded for Studio Agate.
What industry is Studio Agate in?
Studio Agate's product category is Tabletop Role-Playing Game Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAC, Indie Game Studios, with a secondary code of MPAFABAF, Indie Publishing & Label Services (Funding, Marketing, Release Management). Its NAICS code is 51321.