During the "Pouce Café" show hosted by Sakor, Papinaut, producer of the game Dofus at Ankama, gave a captivating interview about the uniqueness of the Roubaix studio, its values of independence, and its pioneering role in the video game and audiovisual landscape.
What do you think about Ankama's approach, which prioritizes independence and quality above all else? Papinaut emphasizes that although Ankama is a major company, it maintains a human-sized structure. Unlike giants like Riot Games, which operates under financial giants like Tencent, Ankama remains independent and self-financed, deeply influencing its creative approach.
"This is one of the reasons why we often engage with the community and stay close to our own values. No billionaires behind us, just passion and a desire to create quality."
Papinaut also revealed that large corporations have attempted to buy Ankama. However, the studio remains committed to its independence, a strategic decision that prioritizes quality and innovation over growth at all costs. This autonomy is a fundamental pillar of Ankama's identity, both for its games and its audiovisual productions.
Ankama's success is not limited to its video games. Papinaut mentioned a lesser-known aspect of the studio: its role as a pioneer in animation. Ankama has been a true technical reference, to the point that Adobe came to study their work methods. Animation studios have even been opened in Japan, contributing to prestigious projects like Devilman Crybaby.
"In terms of animation, in France, we don't say it enough, but within the professional industry, we are genuinely recognized. In terms of graphic identity and technique, we have something quite extraordinary... This is reflected in works like Wakfu, which has experienced massive success, especially with Season 4 broadcast on Okoo. This is typically a series that is starting to look for export opportunities, with rights being purchased here and there."
Wakfu saison 4 : un succès phénoménal pour la série animée made in FranceLa saison 4 de Wakfu, une série animée française inspirée d'un jeu vidéo, a battu des records d'audience sur la plateforme Okoo de France TV. La série, produite par le studio Ankama de Roubaix, raconte les aventures de Yugo et ses amis dans un monde fantastique. La série a été financée en partie par les fans via une campagne de crowdfunding, et est diffusée dans plus de 100 pays.
The studio is not afraid to take risks, even if it means making mistakes. This experimental philosophy sometimes leads to creating timeless masterpieces. Projects like Wakfu Season 4 and Dofus illustrate Ankama's ambition to offer authentic experiences while exploring new horizons.
