The French Touch: Five Game Studios to Explore the California Market in 2025

From March 11 to 19, 2025, Game Changer will welcome representatives from five French studios selected by a French-American expert jury to participate in a 10-day learning expedition to Los Angeles and San Francisco to meet key industry players and learn from experts on technical, creative, marketing, and social topics.

The studio representatives will additionally receive an accreditation pass to participate in the Game Developer Conference (March 17-19), the game industry’s premier professional event that taking place annually in San Francisco.

“California Dreaming” 

The United States is the world’s leading video game market in terms of value, and a key market for French video games. Video games have emerged as a recognized artistic discipline and have been part of Villa Albertine’s residency program since 2021, showcasing notable laureates such as Tatiana Villa Dos Santos, Accidental Queens, and Digital Playgrounds.

The video game industry in the United States is made up of several types of players from production studios and publishers to distributors and arcades. California is the leading state in terms of employment in the field and alone accounts for almost half of the value generated by the industry in the United States.  

Key Goals of Game Changer  

• Participate in the internationalization of the French video game industry and introduce French studios to American publishers, financiers, and key contacts in the industry; learn from the best practices of American studios; and understand the practices of American gamers.  
• Raise awareness in the US about the diversity and uniqueness of French video game players and promote France’s attractiveness in the industry.  
• Promote French intellectual property to American studios.
• Encourage French studios to make progress on societal issues such as the feminization of the industry, diversity, impact gaming, and sustainable development.  

A Tailor-Made Program for French Creation

Participants will be invited to attend the following exchanges: 

• Presentations on the American and French gaming ecosystem, a masterclass, keynote speech, and workshop with key American players.  
• Meetings with platforms, publishers, studios, and producers, featuring agents and artists.  
• Networking event at the GDC festival, IP mini market.  
• Site visits in Los Angeles and San Francisco, e.g.  Activision Blizzard, Riot games, Twitch, Warner Bro, Twitch, Netflix Games, and Epic Games [program in the process of being consolidated].  

2025 Laureates

Lauranne Cauduro – The Game Bakers

Lauranne is a passionate gamer turned accomplished marketing professional in the video game industry. She began her career at Fourth Floor, an influencer marketing agency, where she worked on major titles like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, progressing from campaign execution to strategic roles. Now with The Game Bakers, she leads the marketing strategy for their upcoming game Cairn, while managing community engagement, paid ads, and press relations. Lauranne thrives on crafting innovative campaigns and fostering meaningful connections within the gaming community.

Louise Le Guen – Lightbulb Crew

Louise is a marketing and branding professional with a passion for international markets and gaming culture. With a background in Applied Foreign Languages and Intercultural Management, she has worked with major studios like Nintendo and Ubisoft, presenting games to global audiences during Paris Games Week and Japan Expo. A co-founder of Firesquid, she focuses on branding, social media, and developer scouting, while actively contributing to initiatives like Women In Games France and fundraising efforts for charitable causes. Her dedication extends to e-sports, where she has organized events and secured partnerships for French Overwatch competitions.

Corentin Nedelec – Old Skull Games

Corentin is a versatile gaming professional with expertise in production and business development. After earning a Game Design Bachelor’s degree and gaining experience as an assistant producer at an Irish AA gaming company, he joined Old Skull Games in France, advancing to Producer on the studio’s first original mobile IP. He later broadened his skill set with a Master’s in International Business Management and transitioned to Business Development, contributing to the studio’s growth. With over four years of experience, Corentin now manages business operations alongside the co-CEOs, driving revenue and enhancing the company’s global presence.

Marc Lustigman – Darjeeling

Marc Lustigman is a producer and creative entrepreneur with a diverse background in animation, documentary filmmaking, video games, and interactive media. As the co-founder of Darjeeling, a Paris-based production company and independent video game studio, Marc has been at the forefront of France creating innovative, thought-provoking content that bridges the worlds of entertainment, knowledge and education. Marc is passionate about exploring new ways to connect with audiences, whether through compelling animated series, groundbreaking documentaries, or engaging video games.

Loïc Manglou – Blue Ramen

Loïc is a dedicated professional in the video game and animation industries, co-founder of the Bouftang association and Rubika School of Animation and Video Games in Reunion Island. As a Technical Game Designer, he published around 15 mobile games between 2012 and 2014, showcasing his creative expertise early in his career. Currently, he leads Blue Ramen, focusing on immersive PC and console experiences while aspiring to establish the largest game studio on the island, inspired by industry leaders like Gao Shan Pictures. His work embodies a dedication to innovation and fostering creative growth within Reunion Island’s cultural landscape.

Contact  

Camille Jeanjean, New Media Officer: camille.jeanjean@villa-albertine.org