PARIS: French-German TV channel Arte has been gaining recognition in the video game industry alongside its cultural events and high-quality programming. Over the past decade, Arte has been producing video games that align with its focus on culture and liberal causes, showcasing its editorial line to a gaming audience that may not typically engage with television or documentaries.
The channel’s video games, funded by TV licences in France and Germany, emphasize an “audacity” and “innovation” that come from collaborating with smaller, independent studios, rather than pursuing market share or commercial success. With a focus on “human scale” titles, Arte has 17 co-productions with independent studios, which have received critical acclaim and recognition at specialist festivals.
Arte’s foray into the gaming industry commenced in 2013 with the release of “Type:Rider,” a platform and puzzle game featuring references to scripts from prehistoric cave paintings to pixel art. Literary games like “Californium,” an exploration of author Philip K. Dick’s inner world, and “To Hell With The Ugly,” an adventure game adapted from a Boris Vian novel set in a noirish Los Angeles, followed suit and garnered awards and praised for their artistic direction and gameplay.
In addition to cultural themes, Arte’s games also address political issues. “Bury Me, My Love,” released in 2017, presents the journey of a Syrian woman to Europe through text messages to her husband.
Arte is known for embracing new technologies, having been an early adopter of video-on-demand and boasting a significant following on social media platforms with over 18 million subscribers. The channel’s digital budget ranges from €10mil (RM50.08mil) to €15mil (RM75.13mil) per year, with individual investments in video games ranging from €100,000 (RM500,892) to €300,000 (RM1.50mil).
Looking ahead, Arte aims to explore the possibilities offered by the metaverse, particularly virtual reality (VR). Building on its success with projects utilizing immersive technologies, the channel is producing “Gloomy Eyes – The Game,” an adaptation of an award-winning VR animation. Arte plans to further invest in immersive technologies in the coming years.
Overall, Arte’s venture into video games aligns with its mission to present content that reflects its editorial strategy and supports projects financially, editorially, and humanely. By engaging with the gaming community, Arte continues to expand its reach and impact.
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