# Pixel Reef

> video game development studio

**Wikidata**: [Q62559500](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62559500)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pixel-reef

## Summary
Pixel Reef is a video game development studio founded in 2016 by Éric Chahi, a veteran game designer known for creating the classic title "Another World." Headquartered in Montpellier, France, the studio operates as an independent video game developer specializing in the creation of video games. Pixel Reef has received funding support from France's Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV) program.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founder**: Éric Chahi
- **Headquarters Location**: Montpellier, France
- **Industry**: Video game industry
- **Classification**: Video game developer (software development organization specializing in the creation of video games)
- **Website**: https://www.pixelreef.fr/
- **Twitter Handle**: @pixelreef (account created June 27, 2017)
- **Twitter Followers**: 1,840 (as of January 3, 2021); 1,559 (as of April 22, 2020)
- **Facebook Page**: PixelReefOfficial
- **Instagram Handle**: pixelreef
- **Funding**: Received support from France's Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV) in September 2016
- **VideogameGeek Company ID**: 48510

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded Pixel Reef?
A: Pixel Reef was founded by Éric Chahi in 2016. Chahi is a renowned French video game designer best known for creating the influential 1991 cinematic platform game "Another World."

### Q: Where is Pixel Reef located?
A: Pixel Reef is headquartered in Montpellier, France. The studio operates as an independent video game development company from this location.

### Q: What type of company is Pixel Reef?
A: Pixel Reef is a video game developer, which is a software development organization specializing in the creation of video games. The company operates within the broader video game industry.

### Q: Has Pixel Reef received any government funding?
A: Yes, Pixel Reef received funding support from France's Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV) program. This funding was awarded through the commission meeting held on September 15, 2016, the same year the studio was founded.

## Why It Matters
Pixel Reef represents the continuation of Éric Chahi's influential work in the video game industry. Chahi is widely recognized as a pioneering game designer who created "Another World" (1991), a groundbreaking title that revolutionized cinematic storytelling and visual presentation in video games. The game's innovative use of rotoscoped animation and atmospheric, wordless narrative has influenced generations of game developers and remains a touchstone in gaming history.

The establishment of Pixel Reef in 2016 marked Chahi's return to active game development, generating interest among fans of his previous work. Independent studios founded by visionary designers often produce unique, artistically ambitious projects that push creative boundaries within the medium.

The studio's receipt of funding from France's FAJV program places Pixel Reef within a broader ecosystem of French government support for the video game industry. This funding mechanism, administered by the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), helps independent developers pursue innovative projects that might otherwise face challenges securing traditional financing.

Pixel Reef's location in Montpellier positions the studio within one of France's growing technology and creative hubs. The city has attracted numerous digital media companies and game developers, benefiting from regional support for creative industries and a collaborative development community.

## Notable For
- **Legendary Founder**: Established by Éric Chahi, creator of the seminal 1991 game "Another World," which pioneered cinematic platforming and narrative techniques in video games
- **French Government Support**: Received early-stage funding from France's Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV), demonstrating official recognition of the studio's potential
- **Independent Studio Model**: Operates as an independent developer, allowing for creative autonomy and artistic vision
- **Strategic Location**: Based in Montpellier, a growing center for game development and digital innovation in France
- **Veteran Creative Leadership**: Led by a designer with decades of industry experience and a reputation for innovation

## Body

### Founding and Establishment
Pixel Reef was founded in 2016 by Éric Chahi, establishing itself as a video game development studio. The company was formally recognized in business records and began operations during this period. References to the studio's founding appear in French media coverage, including a 2018 article from Telerama discussing Chahi's work.

### Headquarters and Location
The studio maintains its headquarters in Montpellier, France. This information is documented on the company's official website in its "About us" section, which was accessed and verified in August 2019. Montpellier serves as a base for the studio's development operations.

### Founder: Éric Chahi
Éric Chahi is the founder of Pixel Reef. He is a prominent figure in video game history, recognized for creating "Another World" (released in some regions as "Out of This World"). The game was re-released on Nintendo Switch in 2018, and Chahi gave interviews about the title's legacy around that time. His involvement with Pixel Reef represents his continued presence in the game development industry.

### Funding and Financial Support
Pixel Reef received financial support through France's Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV), a government funding program for video game development. The funding was awarded through the commission meeting of September 15, 2016, coinciding with the studio's founding year. This program is administered by French cultural authorities to support domestic game development.

### Online Presence
Pixel Reef maintains an active online presence across multiple social media platforms:
- **Twitter**: The studio's Twitter account (@pixelreef) was created on June 27, 2017. The account had 1,559 followers as of April 22, 2020, growing to 1,840 followers by January 3, 2021.
- **Facebook**: The studio operates a Facebook page under the name "PixelReefOfficial."
- **Instagram**: The studio maintains an Instagram presence under the handle "pixelreef."
- **Official Website**: The company's website is located at https://www.pixelreef.fr/ and includes information about the studio.

### Industry Classification
Pixel Reef is classified as a video game developer, defined as a software development organization specializing in the creation of video games. This classification places the studio within the broader video game industry. The company is catalogued in industry databases, including VideogameGeek, where it is listed with company ID 48510.

## References

1. Another World designer Eric Chahi sets up indie studio Pixel Reef
2. [About us - Pixel Reef](https://www.pixelreef.fr/about/)
3. Eric Chahi : « J’avais envie de créer un rythme cinématographique pour Another World »
4. [“Another World” ressort sur Switch : rencontre avec le créateur d’un jeu de légende. 2018](https://www.telerama.fr/monde/another-world-ressort-sur-switch-rencontre-avec-le-createur-dun-jeu-de-legende,n5784419.php)
5. [Fonds d'aide au jeu vidéo (FAJV) : résultats de la commission du 15 septembre 2016](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/aides-et-financements/resultats-commissions/fonds-daide-au-jeu-video-fajv--resultats-de-la-commission-du-15-septembre-2016_564922)
6. VideoGameGeek