Fireplace Games Co-Founders Discuss the Journey of Establishing a Studio and Remaking Their Student Game

The surprise hit of the Future Games Show, En Garde, has been making waves with its unique blend of humor and polished gameplay. The game's origins date back to a graduation project by eight co-founders at Supinfogame Rubika in France, which was later uploaded to itch.io. To their surprise, the game garnered significant attention from players, publishers, and investors. CEO Anaïs Simonnet recalls, 'We didn't think about doing anything more with it at first, but the feedback we received was overwhelming, and it sparked the idea of founding a studio to remake the game.' The team spent about two years working in bigger studios or freelancing, gaining valuable experience and insight into how to run a studio. Simonnet notes, 'We learned to be agile in our approach and understand the practical aspects of game development, which was essential in preparing us for the challenges of establishing a studio.' The co-founders eventually decided to take the leap and establish Fireplace Games, with a finance deal in place to ensure a stable foundation for their venture. Simonnet emphasizes the importance of caution and careful planning, stating, 'We didn't want to rush into anything without a clear plan and financial security.' As the studio's CEO, Simonnet has had to adapt to a new role, shifting from a creative capacity to a more managerial position. She describes herself as a facilitator rather than a leader, focusing on listening to her team's ideas and finding compromises. Simonnet believes that this approach has been instrumental in the studio's success, allowing them to work together effectively and create a game that showcases their values. The team's experience has also taught them the importance of communication and compromise in the game development process. Simonnet notes, 'You can be very good on a technical level, but if you can't communicate with your team and find a way to make teamwork work, then that's a problem.' En Garde's narrative is intentionally limited, focusing on action and combat rather than lengthy conversations or complex storylines. However, the team has still managed to incorporate their values into the game, including representation and diversity. The game's protagonist, Adalia, is a bisexual woman, and the team worked with sensitivity readers to ensure that her character was portrayed authentically. Simonnet explains, 'We wanted to make a positive representation of a bisexual woman, and we hope that players will relate to her character.' The studio's motto, 'Making games with panache,' reflects their approach to game development, which emphasizes taking risks, being brave, and having fun. Simonnet concludes, 'We could have taken a more cautious approach, but we're impatient, and we want to create something special. We're willing to take risks and try new things, and that's what panache means to us.'