Nacon

Nacon is a French video game publisher and gaming peripherals manufacturer based in Lesquin, France. Originally founded as Bigben Interactive in 1981, the company rebranded as Nacon in 2020 following a merger with its gaming accessories division. Nacon focuses on AA game development, offering a diverse catalog of action-adventure, racing, sports, and simulation titles.

History and Growth

Nacon started as a gaming accessories distributor before expanding into game publishing and development. Over the years, it has acquired multiple studios and intellectual properties to strengthen its presence in the gaming industry.

Key milestones in its history include:

• 1981 – Founded as Bigben Interactive.
• 2001 – Partnered with Sega to distribute Dreamcast consoles and accessories in Europe.
• 2016 – Acquired the Test Drive franchise from Atari.
• 2020 – Merged with its gaming accessories division and rebranded as Nacon.
• 2022 – Acquired Daedalic Entertainment for $60 million.
• 2025 – Hosted Nacon Connect 2025, announcing multiple new titles.

Notable Games

Nacon has published a variety of games across different genres, focusing on AA titles that cater to niche audiences. Some of its most recognized games include:

• RoboCop: Rogue City – A first-person shooter based on the RoboCop franchise.
• Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown – An open-world racing game.
• GreedFall II: The Dying World – A sequel to the action RPG GreedFall.
• Styx: Blades of Greed – A stealth-action game featuring the goblin Styx.
• Ravenswatch – A roguelike action game with cooperative multiplayer.
• The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu – A first-person horror game inspired by Lovecraft’s works.

Publishing Strategy and Development Approach

Nacon focuses on AA game development, differentiating itself from major AAA publishers by targeting less competitive niches. Some key aspects of its approach include:

• Developing action-adventure, racing, sports, and simulation games.
• Acquiring studios to expand its development capabilities.
• Supporting live-service models with ongoing content updates.
• Investing in gaming peripherals alongside software development.

Recent Developments

Nacon continues to evolve, with new projects and industry contributions. Some of its latest developments include:

• Announced RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, a standalone expansion.
• Revealed Styx: Blades of Greed, a new stealth-action game.
• Expanded its racing game catalog with Rennsport.
• Introduced new gaming accessories, including the Revosim RS Pure racing wheel.

Industry Impact and Future Direction

Nacon remains a key player in AA game publishing, known for its diverse catalog and gaming accessories. As the company continues to expand, its focus on niche genres, strategic acquisitions, and hardware development ensures its influence in the gaming industry remains strong.

Its future direction will likely focus on strengthening its portfolio, refining its publishing strategy, and investing in new gaming technologies.