{{Short description|French video game developer}} {{Redirect|Asobo|the song|Asobo (song)}} {{Infobox company |name=Asobo Studio SAS |logo=Asobo logo.svg |type=Private |founded={{Start date and age|2002|10|17|df=yes}} |founders={{plainlist| * Sébastien Wloch * David Dedeine * Ralph Musti * Martial Bossard * Nicolas Coquard * Cédric Rousseau * Frédéric Seiss * Franck Manon * Alain Guyet * Nicolas Becavin * Patrice Bourroncle * Andreas Nick }} |hq_location_city=Bordeaux |hq_location_country=France |key_people={{ubl|Sébastien Wloch|David Dedeine}} |revenue={{Increase}} {{Euro|7 million|link=yes}} (2014) |num_employees=250<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUP7TUatH8Y|title=A Plague Tale Requiem Presentation: Tribeca Games Spotlight 2022|publisher=Tribeca Games Spotlight|date=June 11, 2022|accessdate=June 12, 2022}} </ref> |num_employees_year=2022 |industry=Video games |products= |website={{URL|https://www.asobostudio.com/}} }}
'''Asobo Studio SAS''' is a French video game developer based in Bordeaux and founded in 2002. The studio is most known for developing video game adaptations of several Pixar movies, ''A Plague Tale: Innocence'', and the 2020 and 2024 versions of ''Microsoft Flight Simulator''. To develop most of its games, it uses its own game engine called Zouna, which was originally developed in the 1990s by some of their own employees who used to work at Kalisto Entertainment. It was later further developed by Asobo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Engine:Zouna - PCGamingWiki PCGW |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Engine:Zouna |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.pcgamingwiki.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Game Engine: Zouna |url=https://www.mobygames.com/group/19209/game-engine-zouna/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=MobyGames |language=en}}</ref> The studio's name is derived from the Japanese word "''asobō''" (遊ぼう) that means "let's play".
==History== In 2002, a group of twelve video game developers purchased the rights to the multiplayer PlayStation 2 video game ''Super Farm'' from their previous employer, Kalisto Entertainment and founded Asobo Studio. The game was published in 2003 by Ignition Entertainment as its debut title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=César |first=Nicolas |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Asobo, le studio de jeux vidéo français qui a séduit Microsoft |url=https://www.latribune.fr/regions/aquitaine/20130121trib000743842/asobo-le-studio-de-jeux-video-francais-qui-a-seduit-microsoft.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912124459/https://www.latribune.fr/regions/aquitaine/20130121trib000743842/asobo-le-studio-de-jeux-video-francais-qui-a-seduit-microsoft.html |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=La Tribune |language=french}}</ref> During the following years, the studio developed several games for various platforms, until being chosen by publisher THQ to create the video game adaptation of Pixar film ''Ratatouille''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Ratatouille Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/31/ratatouille-review-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628151321/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/31/ratatouille-review-6 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Asobo started increasing its growth-speed, recruiting about 20% new employees a year, leading to two separate production lines. Asobo was selected to develop the video game adaptation of Pixar's following films ''WALL-E'' and ''Up''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney•Pixar WALL-E on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/331750/DisneyPixar_WALLE/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219162836/https://store.steampowered.com/app/331750/DisneyPixar_WALLE/ |archive-date=February 19, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clayman |first=David |date=July 24, 2009 |title=Up Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/24/up-review-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328103401/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/24/up-review-2 |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2008 Games Convention, the video game publisher Codemasters announced ''Fuel'', a racing game developed by Asobo Studio. ''Fuel'' was released in 2009 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=June 10, 2009 |title=Fuel Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fuel-review/1900-6211794/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912135631/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fuel-review/1900-6211794/ |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> The studio worked on ''Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure'' for Xbox 360 Kinect between 2010 and 2012. The game features a scanning process, enabling the player to create their own Pixar avatar, looking like them. It features characters from ''Ratatouille'', ''The Incredibles'', ''Cars'', ''Up'' and'' Toy Story''. The game was published by Microsoft and Disney Interactive Studios in March 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitehead |first=Dan |date=April 6, 2012 |title=Kinect Rush Review |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/kinect-rush-review |access-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912135859/https://www.eurogamer.net/kinect-rush-review |archive-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>
In 2014, Asobo Studio partnered with Ubisoft to release ''Monopoly Family Fun'' pack on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, including ''Monopoly Plus'', ''My Monopoly'' and ''Monopoly Deal'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=James |date=December 12, 2014 |title=Monopoly Family Fun Pack XBox One Review - Impulse Gamer |url=https://www.impulsegamer.com/monopoly-family-fun-pack-xbox-one-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428040015/https://www.impulsegamer.com/monopoly-family-fun-pack-xbox-one-review/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=www.impulsegamer.com |language=en-US}}</ref> as well as ''The Crew'' for Xbox 360.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Crew |url=https://www.ign.com/games/the-crew |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912204449/https://www.ign.com/games/the-crew |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, Asobo Studio partnered with Microsoft again to release two games on HoloLens: ''Fragments'' and ''Young Conker''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Fragments sounds like the most exciting game for HoloLens |url=https://www.vg247.com/hololens-game-fragments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912204840/https://www.vg247.com/hololens-game-fragments |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref> Both games are available in the ''Development Edition'', released on March 30, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=2016-02-29 |title=Microsoft HoloLens dev kit costs $3,000, Young Conker revealed in new video |url=https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-hololens-dev-kit-costs-3000-comes-with-young-conker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912205535/https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-hololens-dev-kit-costs-3000-comes-with-young-conker |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref> Asobo Studio was the first independent developer in Holographic Entertainment and won the 2016 French Video Game Creator Prize awarded by Syntec Numérique EY and SNJV.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://syntec-numerique.fr/editeurs-logiciels/top-250/2016 | title=6ème édition du Top 250 des éditeurs et créateurs de logiciels français | Numeum | access-date=2022-06-27 | archive-date=2021-08-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801095942/https://syntec-numerique.fr/editeurs-logiciels/top-250/2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} In 2017, the studio announced ''A Plague Tale: Innocence'', an adventure game,<ref>{{cite web |last=Foxell |first=Sam |date=7 January 2017 |title=Focus Home Interactive and Asobo Studios collaborate on new adventure game, The Plague |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-plague/the-plague-announcement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808132245/https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-plague/the-plague-announcement |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |accessdate=14 May 2019 |work=PCGamesN}}</ref> released for PC and consoles in 2019 and published by Focus Home Interactive.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=24 January 2019 |title=A Plague Tale: Innocence Launches This May |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/24/a-plague-tale-innocence-launches-this-may |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808132247/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/24/a-plague-tale-innocence-launches-this-may |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=14 May 2019}}</ref> They also worked with Engine Software to develop ''Monopoly for Nintendo Switch'', which came out later that year. On August 18, 2020, its next game, ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'', was released for Microsoft Windows.<ref name="launch">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator Set for Launch on August 18 for PC, also with Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta)|url=https://www.flightsimulator.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-set-for-launch-on-august-18-for-pc-also-with-xbox-game-pass-for-pc-beta/|access-date=July 13, 2020|website=Microsoft Flight Simulator|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713132829/https://www.flightsimulator.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-set-for-launch-on-august-18-for-pc-also-with-xbox-game-pass-for-pc-beta/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, Sagard NewGen purchased a stake of just over 30% for €20 million, valuing the company at approximately €65 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeux vidéo : la pépite française Asobo valorisée 65 millions d'euros|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hightech/jeux-video-la-pepite-francaise-asobo-valorisee-65-millions-deuros-par-sa-premiere-levee-de-fonds-1283123|website=Les Echos|language=fr|date=2021-01-21|access-date=2021-01-24|publication-date=|archive-date=2021-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121180655/https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hightech/jeux-video-la-pepite-francaise-asobo-valorisee-65-millions-deuros-par-sa-premiere-levee-de-fonds-1283123|url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2021, Asobo's ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' won the Pégase for Best French video game of the year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pégase 2021 : «Flight Simulator» sacré jeu vidéo français de l'année|url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/961841/article/2021-03-17/pegase-2021-flight-simulator-sacre-jeu-video-francais-de-l-annee|website=LA VDN|language=fr|date=2021-03-17|access-date=2021-03-18|publication-date=}}</ref> This is the second consecutive year that the studio has been awarded after ''A Plague Tale: Innocence'' in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flight Simulator, du studio bordelais Asobo, sacré jeu vidéo français de l'année|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/flight-simulator-du-studio-bordelais-asobo-sacre-jeu-video-francais-de-l-annee-20210317|website=LEFIGARO|date=17 March 2021|language=fr|access-date=2021-03-18|publication-date=|archive-date=2023-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828234300/https://www.lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/flight-simulator-du-studio-bordelais-asobo-sacre-jeu-video-francais-de-l-annee-20210317|url-status=live}}</ref> The sequel of ''A Plague Tale: Innocence'', titled ''A Plague Tale: Requiem'', was released on October 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=June 23, 2022 |title=A Plague Tale: Requiem Gets October Release Date And 10-Minute Gameplay Demo |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/23/a-plague-tale-requiem-gets-october-release-date-and-10-minute-gameplay-demo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714013731/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/06/23/a-plague-tale-requiem-gets-october-release-date-and-10-minute-gameplay-demo |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=Game Informer |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> The studio is developing a prequel ''Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy'', set to launch in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=Wesley |date=2025-06-08 |title=Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Is A Spinoff Starring Requiem's Sophia And It Launches Next Year |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2025/06/08/resonance-a-plague-tale-legacy-is-a-spinoff-starring-requiems-sophia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608190903/https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2025/06/08/resonance-a-plague-tale-legacy-is-a-spinoff-starring-requiems-sophia |archive-date=2025-06-08 |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Game Informer}}</ref>
==Games developed==
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Game ! class="unsortable" | Publisher ! class="unsortable" | Platform(s) |- |2003 | ''Super Farm'' | Ignition Entertainment |PlayStation 2 |- | rowspan="2" | 2004 | ''Sitting Ducks'' | LSP |PlayStation 2, Windows |- | ''The Mummy: The Animated Series'' | rowspan="2" | HIP Interactive |PlayStation 2, Windows |- | 2005 | ''CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect'' |PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows |- | 2006 | ''Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties'' | The Game Factory |PlayStation 2, Windows |- | 2007 | ''Ratatouille'' | rowspan="2" | THQ |PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Wii, Windows, Mac |- | 2008 | ''WALL-E'' |PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Windows, Mac |- | rowspan="2" | 2009 | ''Fuel'' | Codemasters |Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |- | ''Up'' | THQ |PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Windows, Mac |- | rowspan="3" | 2010 | ''Racket Sports Party'' | Ubisoft |Wii |- | ''Toy Story 3'' | Disney Interactive Studios |PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable |- | ''Racket Sports'' | Ubisoft |PlayStation 3 |- |2012 | ''Kinect Rush: A Disney–Pixar Adventure'' | Microsoft Studios |Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows |- | rowspan="2" |2014 | ''The Crew'' | rowspan="2" | Ubisoft |Xbox 360{{efn|Asobo developed the Xbox 360 port for this game. The PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows versions were developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower and Ubisoft Reflections}} |- | ''Monopoly Plus'' |PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows{{efn|The Nintendo Switch port (titled ''Monopoly for Nintendo Switch'') was developed by Engine Software}} |- | rowspan="4" |2016 | ''The Last Frontier'' | Asobo Studio | Windows |- | ''Fragments – HoloLens'' | rowspan="5" | Microsoft Studios |Windows |- | ''Young Conker – HoloLens'' |Windows |- | ''ReCore'' |Xbox One, Windows |- | rowspan="2" |2017 | ''Disneyland Adventures'' |Xbox One, Windows{{efn|Original Xbox 360 release developed by Frontier Developments}} |- | ''Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Ani­mal Collection'' |Xbox One, Windows |- |2018 | ''The Crew 2'' | Ubisoft |PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows |- |2019 | ''A Plague Tale: Innocence'' | Focus Home Interactive |PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows |- |2020 | ''Microsoft Flight Simulator<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asobostudio.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator | Asobo Studio|access-date=2019-09-30|archive-date=2019-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930121126/https://www.asobostudio.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator|url-status=live}}</ref>'' | Xbox Game Studios |Xbox Series X/S, Windows |- |2022 | ''A Plague Tale: Requiem'' | Focus Entertainment |PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows |- |2024 | ''Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024'' | Xbox Game Studios |Xbox Series X/S, Windows, PlayStation 5<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2025 |title=Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 soars onto PS5 Dec 8 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2025/09/24/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-soars-onto-ps5-dec-8/ |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=PlayStation.Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | 2026 | ''Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy'' | Focus Entertainment | PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S |}
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.asobostudio.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:French companies established in 2002 Category:Companies based in Bordeaux Category:Video game companies established in 2002 Category:Video game companies of France Category:Video game development companies Category:Privately held companies of France