Since Ubisoft set up its operations in Montpellier many years ago, the area has seen the release of several internationally acclaimed hits, including Haven by The Game Bakers (2020), Road 96 by DigixArt (2021), Stray by BlueTwelve Studio (2022), Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier (2024), and more recently, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive (2025), hailed as one of France’s greatest recent achievements. This ecosystem comprises nearly 70 development studios and employs over 700 professionals.
Montpellier, a stronghold for video games
The month of May was particularly eventful, with the release of Adorable Adventures by Wild Sheep Studio and Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes by Alt Shift Studio, meetings at La Halle de l’Innovation, and networking sessions at the Hyperactive festival at Halle Tropisme — all of which demonstrated the sector’s vitality at every level.
On May 12, the industry event organized by the regional association Push Start gathered more than a hundred participants for conferences, playtests, and meetings between studios and young talent.
From May 11 to 23, the Game Créalab, a residency supported by the CNC (French National Center for Cinema and Animated Images) and facilitated by Push Start and Montpellier Métropole, assisted four teams with the development of particularly promising original projects.
On May 21, the “Success Story” roundtable provided an opportunity to hear about the inspiring journeys of major names in the business:
“A lot of great work is being done in Montpellier,” notes Abdelhak Elguess of Ubisoft.
“I fulfilled a dream in the U.S., but creative freedom goes even further in Montpellier,” says Alexis Wanneroy of Fortiche, formerly of DreamWorks.
“The ecosystem hardly existed eight years ago. Today, you can build a studio, hire staff, and forge a career here,” explains Victor Caire, co-founder of Illogic Studios, which gained prominence through the highly successful Intermarché commercial featuring the "unloved wolf".
Also, on May 27, Montpellier Game Lab — a six-month intensive support program led by Push Start and Montpellier BIC — wrapped up its latest cohort with pitches to publishers, investors, and representatives from French Gaming Angels. This was a key event for accelerating their growth.
The sector’s rise is also supported by robust assistance tools. Since 2022, Montpellier Métropole has rolled out a 700,000 € support fund, which has benefited several now-recognized studios, including Alt Shift Studio, Digixart, Fireplace Games, The Game Bakers, and Wild Sheep Studio.
In a context where the creative and cultural industries (CCIs) are becoming a major economic driver, Montpellier continues to demonstrate that a territory can transform creativity into a driver of growth, employment, and international attractiveness.
Key figures: €400 million in revenue, 3,500 jobs, over 40 training programs
