It’s no secret that Microids has undergone a transformation in the past 2-3 years, no longer being labeled as a publisher of bad or unfinished games. The prolific French publisher has ambitions and proves it with each new announcement. Between the desire to improve the quality of the licenses it already has in hand (Syberia, The Smurfs, Astérix & Obélix, Marsupilami) and to revive old licenses dear to thirty-something and older players (Goldorak, Flashback, Inspector Gadget, Cobra), Microids’ catalog is enriched and surprising. Among the upcoming major titles is a certain Tintin Reporter The Cigars of the Pharaoh, developed by the Spanish studio Pendulo Studios with whom Microids has already released Blacksad and Vertigo. At an event that took place a few days ago in Brussels, some juicy information was revealed by Stéphane Longeard, CEO of Microids, who recognizes that such a Tintin project is ambitious.
In an article by France Inter, we learn that the project took 10 years to materialize. Not surprising when one knows Moulinsart’s (now Tintinimaginatio) requirements when it comes to the Tintin license. “Almost 10 years back, we got in touch with Nick Rodwell [Delegated CEO of Tintinimaginatio, Ed. Note] as well as Yves Février [in charge of digital at Tintinimaginatio] to persuade them, as well as plainly, they stated: not also in our desires”, advances Stéphane Longeard, before specifying: “And afterwards, every 6 months, for 8 years, we inquired once again: “By the way, don’t you want to make a video game? By the way, don’t you want to make a video game?” Then, 6 years back, we made an additional game, “Blacksad,” adjusted from the Dargaud comics, which was a success in manufacturing as well as sales.” It holds true that the last video clip game adjusted from a cd goes back to 1997, at the time of the Super Nintendo, as well as revitalizing Tintin electronically is a difficulty on all degrees. The game should attract a vast target market, from 7 to 60 years of ages, whether they are Tintin followers or otherwise.
Microids is certain in the top quality of its game, yet likewise in the general public’s function, as well as its CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Stéphane Longeard also permits himself to predict sales numbers. “We have no worries concerning success: it is an item that will certainly cost the very least 500,000 duplicates.” This displayed confidence allows the game to enjoy a budget estimated at 6-7 million euros, a small sum in the international video game landscape (AAA titles often cost between 200 and 500 million dollars), but for Microids, it is a big production. Furthermore, Microids is so optimistic about the reception of Tintin Reporter The Cigars of the Pharaoh that the French publisher reveals that the sequel is already in preparation. “We’re working with pre-production of “The Blue Lotus” [the album that directly follows “The Cigars of the Pharaoh,” Ed. Note],” assures Stéphane Longeard. “We really did not take as long to begin, just to quit on such a great course!” We simply need to wait up until November to learn if the item will certainly be of top quality.
