Game Atelier
Game Atelier is an independent Paris-based video game developer founded in 2010, specializing in action-adventure and platform games for console, PC, and mobile, with notable titles including Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom developed with FDG Entertainment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Game Atelier does
Game Atelier is an independent video game development studio founded on June 29, 2010 in Paris, France by Fabien Demeulenaere (former Konami lead artist) and David Bellanco (former Gameloft developer), with FeiBi (artist who designed the original Flying Hamster) later joining as COO. The studio specializes in action-adventure and platform games, with a catalog spanning 2D arcade titles (Flying Hamster, Flying Hamster II), the critically acclaimed Metroidvania Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (2018) developed with FDG Entertainment as the official Wonder Boy sequel, the Unreal Engine 5 third-person shooter Otherskin (2022/2023) developed as a commissioned project for FDG, and the co-op horror title Follow Us (2024). Mobile titles Flying Hamster and SunFlowers are available on iOS.
The studio's core technology stack uses Unreal Engine 5 for 3D game development alongside proprietary production pipelines supporting PC, console (PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox), and mobile (iOS) platforms. Game Atelier operates with a flexible core team (1-10 employees) augmented by trusted creative partners and longtime collaborators including Ryuichi Nishizawa and acclaimed composers Yuzo Koshiro, Motoi Sakuraba, Michiru Yamane, and Tee Lopes.
Game Atelier generates revenue through two streams: one-time digital storefront sales of self-published titles (e.g., Monster Boy, Follow Us, SunFlowers) distributed globally via Steam, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, GOG, iOS App Store, and itch.io; and commissioned development services for publishers, notably Otherskin developed under contract with FDG Entertainment. The studio's primary customer segments are console and PC gamers (especially fans of action-adventure and Metroidvania genres) and mobile gamers seeking casual puzzle experiences, with FDG Entertainment serving as the principal B2B publishing partner.
Game Atelier firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Game Atelier
- Legal name
- Game Atelier
- Website
- https://game-atelier.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Game Atelier is an independent Paris-based video game developer founded in 2010, specializing in action-adventure and platform games for console, PC, and mobile, with notable titles including Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom developed with FDG Entertainment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Game Atelier industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Action-Adventure Video Games
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)
Keywords
Where Game Atelier is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Game Atelier business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Video Game Sales: Game Atelier develops and sells video games as one-time purchases through digital storefronts. Their catalog includes action-adventure games like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, Otherskin, and mobile titles like Flying Hamster and SunFlowers.
- Commissioned Game Development: The studio undertakes commissioned projects for publishers, such as Otherskin developed for FDG Entertainment. This represents revenue from development services under publisher agreements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Video game purchases through digital storefronts |
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Game Atelier product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Game Atelier is an independent video game development studio that designs, programs, and publishes its own action-adventure and platform games for consoles, PC, and mobile devices. Its catalog spans titles such as Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (an official Wonder Boy sequel), Otherskin, Follow Us, Flying Hamster, and SunFlowers. The studio also accepts commissioned development work from publishers such as FDG Entertainment.
Product overview
Game Atelier is an independent video game development studio founded in 2010, specializing in action-adventure games for consoles and PC. The studio's portfolio spans from 2D arcade games like Flying Hamster to 3D action-adventure titles. Their original games include Flying Hamster, SunFlowers, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (an official Wonder Boy sequel developed with FDG Entertainment and Ryuichi Nishizawa), Otherskin (a UE5 third-person shooter commissioned by FDG), and Follow Us (a co-op horror game). The studio also developed Flying Hamster II (which evolved into Monster Boy) and smaller titles like Tiny Death and Crazy Market. Game Atelier operates with a flexible core team augmented by trusted creative partners, handling design, code, art, production, and narrative in-house.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom An action-adventure Metroidvania game where players help Jin save the Monster World Kingdom by defeating enemies, discovering hidden locations, upgrading equipment, and unlocking special forms with unique skills to open new paths. Available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Steam, and GOG.
- Otherskin A third-person shooter action-adventure game built on Unreal Engine 5 in which players control Alex on a mission to planet Vandermire, absorbing enemy powers to enhance skills and overcome dangers. Commissioned by FDG Entertainment and available on Steam.
- Follow Us A co-op horror game for two players in which contestants work in pairs — one explores outside while the other guides from safety. Trust is the core mechanic as players risk their lives to entertain an audience. Available on Steam and itch.io.
- Flying Hamster A cute 'em up arcade game featuring Newton fighting crazy bosses with unconventional weapons including beer spit and exploding chicks. Includes 35 enemies, 8 weapons, and 7 boss battles. Available on iOS.
- SunFlowers A relaxing puzzle game where players act as the Sun, growing beautiful flowers to give to soulmates or friends. Features over 320 cute flowers to collect along with social gifting features. Available on iOS.
- Flying Hamster II The planned sequel to Flying Hamster, attempted via a Kickstarter campaign in 2016 with support from Motoi Sakuraba, Michiru Yamane, and Ryuichi Nishizawa. The campaign's setback led to a publishing partnership with FDG Entertainment and the eventual development of Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom.
- Tiny Death Game listed in the studio's collection of developed titles. Specific game details are not specified in the available sources.
- Crazy Market Game listed in the studio's collection of developed titles. Specific game details are not specified in the available sources.
Quantifiable outcome
- Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom received widespread acclaim from players and press, including acknowledgment from industry figures like Ryuichi Nishizawa (Wonder Boy creator)
Companies that use Game Atelier
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Game Atelier technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature1 record
Game Atelier partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FDG EntertainmentcoreFDG Entertainment is a key publishing partner for Game Atelier. They convinced the studio to continue with Flying Hamster II after its Kickstarter setback, and partnered with Ryuichi Nishizawa to create Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom as the official new chapter in the Wonder Boy saga. FDG also commissioned Otherskin from Game Atelier under Unreal Engine 5.
- AtlusminorAtlus reached out to Game Atelier during the Flying Hamster II Kickstarter campaign when the campaign was struggling, showing early interest in publishing the game.
- Ryuichi NishizawacoreRyuichi Nishizawa, the original creator of the Wonder Boy series, partnered with Game Atelier and FDG Entertainment to create Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom as the official new chapter in the legendary Wonder Boy saga. His involvement legitimized the project and brought authentic connection to the source material.
- Motoi SakurabaminorLegendary video game composer Motoi Sakuraba contributed to Flying Hamster II's soundtrack during the Kickstarter campaign, bringing his renowned expertise from games like Shining Force and Tales series.
- Michiru YamaneminorMichiru Yamane, another legendary composer known for her work on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, joined the Flying Hamster II soundtrack project during the Kickstarter campaign.
- Yuzo KoshirominorRenowned composer Yuzo Koshiro, famous for his work on Streets of Rage and ActRaiser, contributed music to Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, adding to the game's prestige and nostalgic appeal.
- Tee LopesminorComposer Tee Lopes, known for Sonic Mania and other titles, contributed to the Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom soundtrack, bringing modern gaming music expertise.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Game Atelier competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Yacht Club Games: Small independent studio known for Shovel Knight, a retro-styled action-platformer with strong critical reception. Highly comparable to Game Atelier in team size, indie heritage, retro-inspired action design, and multi-platform digital distribution strategy.
- WayForward Technologies: Long-running independent developer behind Shantae and other 2D action-platformers across consoles and handhelds. Comparable in multi-decade indie heritage, action-adventure focus, and multi-platform digital storefront presence.
- Supergiant Games: Acclaimed indie studio behind Bastion, Transistor, Hades, and Pyre. Comparable as a small, critically acclaimed action-adventure developer with multi-platform digital distribution and console-native titles.
- Red Barrels: Montreal-based independent studio behind the Outlast horror series. Comparable as a Quebec/French-speaking indie developer shipping premium titles on PC and consoles with a small specialized team.
- Thunder Lotus Games: Montreal-based indie developer of Jotun, Sundered, and Spiritfarer. Comparable as a small-to-mid independent studio shipping premium action-adventure titles across PC and consoles.
- Dotemu: French-headquartered studio and publisher specializing in reviving classic game franchises (Streets of Rage 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge). Comparable as a Paris-region game company with similar retro action focus and publisher partnerships.
- Tribute Games: Montreal indie studio behind TMNT: Shredder's Revenge and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Comparable as a small studio focused on retro-style action games with publisher partnerships and multi-platform distribution.
- Sabotage Studio: Indie developer of The Messenger and Sea of Stars, known for retro-inspired action RPGs on console and PC. Comparable in small team size, retro aesthetic, and successful digital-first console launches.
- Lizardcube: Paris-based indie studio known for Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap remake and Streets of Rage 4. Highly comparable as a French game studio with retro franchise revival focus and console/PC publishing.
Broad incumbents
- FDG Entertainment: Game Atelier's core publishing partner, a Munich-based indie publisher handling Monster Boy and commissioning Otherskin. Comparable as a business counterpart in the same indie action-adventure ecosystem, though it operates more broadly across multiple studio titles.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Game Atelier social profiles
Digital presenceGame Atelier financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Game Atelier leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Game Atelier funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Game Atelier 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 Game Atelier
What does Game Atelier do?
Game Atelier is an independent video game development studio that designs, programs, and publishes its own action-adventure and platform games for consoles, PC, and mobile devices. Its catalog spans titles such as Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (an official Wonder Boy sequel), Otherskin, Follow Us, Flying Hamster, and SunFlowers. The studio also accepts commissioned development work from publishers such as FDG Entertainment.
Is Game Atelier a public or private company?
Game Atelier is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Game Atelier founded?
Game Atelier was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Game Atelier based?
Game Atelier is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Game Atelier make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Video Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are commissioned Game Development.
Who are Game Atelier's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Yacht Club Games, WayForward Technologies, Supergiant Games, Red Barrels, Thunder Lotus Games, Dotemu, Tribute Games, Sabotage Studio and Lizardcube. FDG Entertainment is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Game Atelier have an API?
No public API is recorded for Game Atelier.
What industry is Game Atelier in?
Game Atelier's product category is Action-Adventure Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAB, Mobile & F2P Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 339930 and its SIC code is 3944.