AUVERGNE-RHONE-ALPES

With nearly 130 companies representing around 4,000 professionals, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is the second most dynamic hub of activity in France. As the historical birthplace of video games in France, the region enjoys significant influence in the industry, hosting companies of all sizes and covering all types of games and platforms. This diversity of players and productions forms the DNA of the regional industry, supported by internationally recognized leaders such as Bandai Namco Europe, Ubisoft Ivory Tower, Ubisoft Annecy, Arkane, Artefacts, Ocellus, Osome, Wanadev Studio, Old Skull Games, Eden Games, and Million Victories. These companies have developed globally successful games, such as The Crew (Ivory Tower), Deathloop (Arkane), and Million Lords on mobile (Million Victories).

As an attractive territory, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has recently welcomed the establishment of companies like Virtuos, Microids, and Mad Box in Annecy. Drawn by the high quality of life and proximity to Paris, Geneva, and Milan, these companies have also been won over by the diversity of talent trained at local schools such as Émile Cohl, Gamagora, and Game Sup. Additionally, the region supports the industry through grants for video games companies based in the region.

Finally, the region fosters the creation of new entrepreneurial structures through Let’s GO, France’s first incubator dedicated to video game startups. In terms of events, the region hosts the Game Only Day each year (a day of inspiring conferences on industry trends aimed at local entrepreneurs) and the Annecy International Animation Film Market for the past 40 years.

KEY FIGURES

• 🏢 13,2% of total national video game companies
• 🧑‍💼4000 employees from the video game industry
• 🏫 8 specialized schools
• 📶 2 major events held annually

MAIN ACTORS

Studios: Ocellus studio, Eden Games, Kylotonn, Mad Box, Million Victories, Artefacts, Old Skull Games, Osome, Virtuos, Wanadev studio, Ryseup, Ubisoft Annecy, Ubisoft Ivory Tower
Publishers: Bandai Namco, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft
Service Providers: Chat 3D, Abode Substance 3D, Blanktone
Schools: Émile Cohl, Gamagora (Université Lyon 2), Game Sup, IUT Clermont-Ferrand, Gaming Campus, Ynov, Bellecour Ecole, E-artsup, Ensimag Grenoble
Incubators and Accelerators: Let’s GO

Game Labs: “IUT informatique graphique de Clermont-Ferrand”, “ICOM de l’Université Lyon 2”, “Chaire Innovation et Créativité en Communauté – IAE / CERAG / INP / Université de Grenoble Alpes”.

REGIONAL PUBLIC FUNDINGS

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region provides grants for prototyping and production. The region also supports the annual participation of video game studios in major international events (such as Gamescom) through the International Development Plan (PDI), managed by the local association Game Only, or by helping them develop new production lines through a” “Relocation Pack”.

KEY VIDEO GAME EVENTS

Game Only Day

MIFA, the Annecy International Animation Film Market.

LOCATION & ATTRACTIVENESS

🚊Transport infrastructure: Railway stations Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache (2h direct to Paris), Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport, close to Geneva airpot

💡Attractive cities for video game companies: Lyon, Villeurbanne, Annecy

🏳️Foreign companies established in the region: Bandai Namco Europe, Adobe, Electronic Arts, Microsoft

The Lyon Metropolis offers numerous advantages for setting up a video game studio: a diverse range of commercial real estate, lower living costs compared to Paris, excellent urban and suburban accessibility via public transportation, a wide variety of housing options for individuals, a vibrant cultural scene, many green spaces, and proximity to both the Alps and the Mediterranean.

THE LOCAL ASSOCIATION