BulkyPix

BulkyPix

Company type	Private
Industry	Video games
Founded	December 2008 (2008-12)
Defunct	August 2016 (2016-08)
Headquarters	Paris-Saclay , France
Products	Video games

BulkyPix was a French company engaged in both the development and publishing of video games, established in December 2008 and dissolved in August 2016. Over its operational years, the firm launched more than 200 titles, mainly focusing on the mobile gaming sector, while also producing games for web browsers and personal computers. Among its prominent releases were My Brute, Saving Private Sheep, Autumn Dynasty, The Sandbox, Type:Rider, Joe Dever's Lone Wolf, Penumbear, and Please, Don't Touch Anything.

History

Originating from former employees of Vivendi Games Mobile, BulkyPix was governed by a management committee and initially concentrated on creating games for the iPhone platform before broadening its scope to other platforms. In 2010, the company expanded internationally by establishing an office in San Francisco, with the American market accounting for more than 40% of its income. Early in 2011, BulkyPix acquired the game studio Uacari.

Approximately eighteen months after its founding, BulkyPix completed its initial financing round led by Oterma, aimed at enlarging its portfolio and accelerating research and development efforts. In 2012, Axa Private Equity (which later became Ardian) joined as an investor, facilitating further growth. That same year, BulkyPix invested several million euros to support independent game developers.

Experiencing financial challenges, the company entered judicial restructuring proceedings in March 2016 but ultimately proceeded to liquidation by August after unsuccessful attempts to secure a buyer.

Developer and publisher

BulkyPix operated as both a developer and publisher of video games. Its own creations included titles such as Hysteria Project, My Brute, and Saving Private Sheep. The company also published notable games like Babel Rising (2009), Pix'n Love Rush (2010), Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition and PyramidValley Adventure (2011), along with Autumn Dynasty and The Sandbox (2012), as well as CandyMeleon and Type:Rider (2013).

Service and consulting activities

In addition to its own projects, BulkyPix developed games and applications tailored for clients, including:

• Licensed titles such as Tout le monde veut prendre sa place Online, Questions pour un champion Online, Fort Boyard, Le Village de Calimero, and Le Petit Nicolas: La Grande Course;
• Advergames commissioned by companies like EDF, Veolia, Siemens, Hachette, Française des Jeux, M6, and France Télévisions;
• Serious games, including a recruitment game for the French Navy, awareness campaigns for CODAH, and educational tools supporting cardiology research;
• Official applications created for institutions such as the Louvre Museum, Musée Fabre, and the Charles de Gaulle Foundation.

Research and development

BulkyPix invested in research and development initiatives centered on interactivity within video gaming. In 2011, it was awarded an innovation grant from Oséo focused on interactive video technology for smartphones. The company collaborated with institutions like the Institut de recherche en informatique de Toulouse (IRIT) on projects involving augmented reality and geolocation technologies. In 2012, BulkyPix spearheaded the "Polymathic" project under Cap Digital, partnering with CNAM, Kylotonn, MocapLab, and XediX to enhance digital technologies applied to cultural and educational content.