What The Prod is a respected production company in the world of animation currently working on the Sylvain Chomet’s (Director of “The Triplets of Belleville”) upcoming full-length feature film, a Biopic about Marcel Pagnol’s life: “The magnificent life of Marcel Pagnol”.
What The Prod has acquired the rights to adapt the Syberia franchise for an animated series.
Syberia’s iconic universe has reached a legendary status since the very first episode, released more than two decades ago. Thanks to a rich storyline, emblematic characters and unique atmosphere, Syberia was able to seduce all adventure lovers. With the addition of this upcoming mind-blowing animated series, fans will soon be able to dive even deeper in this one-of-a-kind captivating universe. They will reunite with Kate Walker, Oscar, the Youkols and more fascinating characters sharing incredible adventures at the crossroad of the real world and Benoît Sokal’s fantasies.
Kate Walker, a young ambitious lawyer from New York, takes us on a journey like no other from Western Europe to Eastern Russia. Dive in this alternate history and discover mythical lands filled with epic quests and tremendous characters.
Elliot Grassiano, Founder and COO of Microids, shares his enthusiasm regarding this promising partnership: “It’s a real pleasure to see Syberia coming to life in an animated format. We are delighted to partner up with What The Prod to offer Syberia’s fans a fantastic visual experience, capturing the soul of this iconic franchise to perfection. This series will be a new opportunity for players and new spectators to discover or re-discover Syberia’s fascinating world.”
Martine Sokal and her children Hugo & Jules, depository of Benoit Sokal’s creative heritage, also share their support and pride regarding this adaptation. “My husband would have been honored to witness his work being developed as an animated series. With Syberia, he created a magical and out of time world and I am glad it will reach a new audience with this new adaptation.”
Ashargin Poiré, What The Prod Founder and President, comments “20 years after the release of the first episode of Syberia, our ambition is to craft an animated series inspired by the game’s incredible universe, speaking to the fans as well as new comers thanks to a modern writing style paying tribute to these very best dystopian and uchronic masterpieces. The art direction, the type and quality of animation will guarantee a mind-blowing experience halfway between reality and fantasy.”
Microids and What the Prod will closely work together to ensure this adaptation meets the legitimate expectations of the series’ fans and aficionados of animated TV show for young adults (like Arcane).
More information regarding the writing, talents, scenario and airing date will be revealed shortly.
Follow Microids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and Linkedin
Or at: http://www.microids.com/ Watch our videos on Youtube
Follow Syberia on Facebook and Twitter
Follow WHATTHEPROD on Linkedin or at: https://www.whattheprod.com/en
***
Media contacts:
Global Communications Manager - Microids
Maxime GERACI
Chief marketing Officer - What The Prod
Loick TANGUY
About Microids
Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Sloclap, Oddworld Inhabitants, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Go Nagai, Charles Cecil, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset…), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.
About Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal began drawing for À Suivre magazine in 1978. At this time, he created the Inspector Canardo series, featuring a depressed anthropomorphic duck detective with a penchant for cigarettes, alcohol and femmes fatales. In 1996, he started the video game project Amerzone, published by Microids. Benoît Sokal is one of the first graphic novel artists to design, implement and supervise the entire production of a video game. He then went on to become Microids’ Art Director, publishing his second game, Syberia, in 2002. He was recognized as "Person of the Year" at the 2002 video games Phenix Awards; Syberia was crowned "Best adventure game of the year" in 2002 in the USA. In April 2004, the release of Syberia 2 met the same success as the first episode of the saga and was greeted with enthusiasm by fans all over the world. With Syberia 3, Benoît Sokal chose to stick with the old-fashioned way of drawing with pencils and watercolors, rather than using digital tools, giving his universe and characters a very distinctive look. A multi-talented artist, he also crafted the beloved game story and the characters’ dialogue. During these last months, Benoît Sokal was working with the teams at Microids and Koalabs on the upcoming game Syberia: The World Before.
Despite his prolific career in video games, Benoît Sokal never let go of his original passion, and released the graphic novel Kraa in 2010. He also developed the Aquarica universe for several years with his friend François Schuiten. Together, they released the first graphic novel based on Aquarica in 2017.
About WHAT THE PROD
WHAT THE PROD is a creative production house with a digital 360° approach favoring heritage works of content, IP’s and talents with strong international reach: TV series, Movies, Video games, Virtual Reality and Web3.
WHAT THE PROD aims to produce innovative cross-media content, at first stage for any IP’s or content. Our publishing approach is to develop within strong heritage themes and the influence of the «Made of France».
WHAT THE PROD likes to explore narrative techniques, visual processes and graphic styles, surrounding itself with some of the most talented artists and collaborators to craft exceptional works of content.
The company is managed by Ashargin Poiré, Valérie Puech and Loick Tanguy.
Ashargin Poiré comes from a long family lineage dedicated to French cinema: his grandfather Alain Poiré was the Gaumont International producer (with over 310 feature films including « My father’s glory », « My mother’s castle », « The party » with Sophie Marceau, …) and his father, the director Jean-Marie Poiré « (The Visitors », « Santa Claus is a stincker », …).
Valérie Puech has been in the audiovisual sector for 25 years, working in film, advertising and flow programs, notably for Canal +.
They were joined by Loick Tanguy, a video game specialist for over 35 years, as Managing Director in charge of marketing. Loick has worked for Vivendi Universal Games/Activision, Virgin games, Mattel Interactive, Ouat Entertainment and Microids, among others.
Some examples of our projects in production or development:
CINEMA
THE MAGNIFICENT LIFE OF MARCEL PAGNOL - Animated biopic - To be released in 2025
In co-production with Onyx Films (Mediawan) and Bidibul Productions (Luxembourg)
Distributed by Wild Bunch and Sony Classics - TV broadcast on Netflix
Inimitably talented director Sylvain Chomet (« The triplets of Belleville », « The Illusionnist », 4 Oscar nominations, 1 César and 1 European Film Award for Best Animated Feature) adapts for the big screen the never-before-seen autobiographical accounts of Marcel Pagnol's incredible destiny.
ALAIN POIRÉ, THE KING OF COMEDY - Long lenght documentary - In developpment
Portrait of the most prolific and eclectic French cinema producer, Alain Poiré is the undisputed godfather of the French comedy. Working from 1938 to 2000 with Gaumont, he produced and distributed no less than 310 feature films, bringing together more than 500 million viewers in France.
METAVERSE
PAGNOL-EN-PROVENCE - Video game on THE SANDBOX – To be Released in 2023
Experience the metaverse, in the heart of the village of Pagnol-en-Provence, to discover the emblematic characters of Marseille's most famous author.
VIDEO GAME and VR
PAGNOL THE MAGICIAN - Video game and Virtual Reality Experience - Summer 2025
An amazing immersive touring experience, dive into the magic of the Marcel Pagnol’s Movie Studios. Get ready to be surprised and have fun with this unique journey into the origins of Cinema
ANIMATED SERIE
SYBERIA - Adventure games from Benoît Sokal adapted in animated series - Release date tbc
Partnership with the saga publisher, Microids
Kate Walker, a young ambitious lawyer from New York, takes us on a journey like no other from Western Europe to Eastern Russia. Dive in this alternate history and discover mythical lands filled with epic quests and tremendous characters.