Developer and publisher Microids has inked a publishing deal to produce not one, not two, but three new Garfield games, according to a social media post from the company. Originally established by French programmer Elliot Grassiano, the Microids we know today has existed in some form since the mid-1980s.
The studio cut its teeth on the likes of racing games such as 500 cc Grand Prix, Super Bike Challenge, and Chicago 90. Its catalogue features much more than racing adventures now, however, with the Syberia series and Blacksad: Under the Skin constituting some of the business’ most notable projects in recent memory. The publishing arm has come into a few interesting gets, as well. For instance, late last year, Microids published OSome Studio’s The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf, a 3D platformer that largely flew under the radar upon its release on consoles and PC. Microids itself has at least three new projects in the works that are bound to garner a fair bit of attention when the time comes, though.
Yesterday, January 20, Microids announced its publishing agreement with ViacomCBS Consumer Products to helm three brand-new games based on the iconic Garfield license. Since the ink has yet to fully dry, not much is known about the games as of yet, though Microids’ Editorial Director, Alain Milly, noted the company is “incredibly honored” to partner with ViacomCBS. This doesn’t mark the beginning of Microids’ relationship with the beloved brand either, Milly reminded the public, recalling Microids’ role as the publisher on Garfield’s Wild Ride (2013) and Garfield Kart Furious Racing (2019). The publisher shared the news in the following social media post, as well:
Admittedly, Garfield doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to his interactive adventures. From side-scrollers and platformers to action games and racers, Garfield-branded titles typically fail to hit the mark. Microids could change things for the better, though. How the French studio may accomplish as much presently remains to be seen.
The lasagna-loving orange cat’s most recent video game appearance took shape courtesy of his role in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, the Smash Bros.-like experience that features some of Nickelodeon’s biggest characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Nigel Thornberry, April O’Neil, Invader Zim, the Teenage Mutant Ninja, and several others. Outside of the upcoming Microids projects, who can say for sure where exactly Garfield may pop up next?
No further details about Microids’ various Garfield games are known at this time.
