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Nacon

Nacon SA (formerly Bigben Interactive SA) is a French video game publisher, holdings company and gaming peripherals manufacturer based in Lesquin. It designs and distributes gaming accessories, and publishes and distributes video games for various platforms.[1][2] In 2020, Bigben Group's gaming activities were consolidated to form Nacon.[3] Bigben Group remains active as a distribution company.[4]

History

BigBen was listed on the Paris Stock Exchange's Second Marché in 1999.[5] In 2001, the company reached an agreement with Sega to distribute the remaining stock of Sega's Dreamcast consoles, accessories and software across Europe.[6] In December 2016, three years after Atari's initial bankruptcy sale, Atari sold the Test Drive franchise to Bigben Interactive.[7] The V-Rally series was also sold to Bigben Interactive around this time without a formal announcement.[8]

Nacon as a separate entity

Through 2020, Bigben Interactive was subsidiary of the Bigben Group, which also oversaw Nacon, its video game accessory company. On 11 February 2020, the parent company announced it was merging Bigben Interactive and Nacon into a single entity to go as Nacon.[9] In January 2021, Nacon announced that it had acquired Australian video game developer Big Ant Studios.[10] On 1 March 2021, video game developer Frogwares alleged Nacon illegally hacked and published a pirated version of their game, The Sinking City, on Steam in February 2021 during an ongoing distribution dispute between the two companies.[11][12] In August 2021, Nacon acquired Crea-ture Studios.[13] In October 2021, Nacon acquired Ishtar Games.[14] In February 2022, Nacon acquired Midgar Studio.[15] Nacon announced its intent to acquire Daedalic Entertainment for an estimated US$60 million in February 2022, with the deal concluding in April 2022.[16]

In May 2022, Nacon announced the formation of Nacon Studio Milan, encompassing its October 2020 acquisition RaceWard Studio,[17] as well as other yet to be named studios.[18] in 2020, Nacon acquired RIG gaming, a gaming accessory brand.[19]

In 2010, Nintendo sued BigBen for patent infringement on its Wii Remote controller. The Mannheim Regional Court decided in 2011 in Nintendo's favor, which ruling BigBen appealed. In 2025, Nintendo's German counsel announced the court awarded Nintendo damages of 7€ million. Nacon is appealing the ruling, but the damage verdict is enforceable.[20][21]

In February 2026, Nacon filed for insolvency due to Bigben Group's financial issues.[22]

Studios

Games published

Under dispute

The rights for the following titles are disputed, with Frogwares claiming Nacon only owns the distribution rights:[79]

Further reading

External links

  • (corporate)

References

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