Infogrames
The Armadillo Dynasty: From Lyon Garage to Transatlantic Publishing Empire
Infogrames Entertainment SA was a French video game holding company founded in 1983 in Lyon by Bruno Bonnell and Christophe Sapet. Recognized by its armadillo logo, it championed European comic adaptations, funded Alone in the Dark, and ultimately acquired Atari.
The Armadillo Philosophy and BD Licenses
Bruno Bonnell chose the armadillo as a symbol of technological survival and adaptability. Securing prestigious Franco-Belgian bande dessinée licenses (Asterix, Tintin, Lucky Luke), Infogrames dominated 1980s European microcomputer charts.
International Acquisitions and Atari
Through aggressive expansion, Infogrames acquired UK publishers Ocean Software and Gremlin Interactive. In 2001, they acquired Hasbro Interactive, absorbing the historic Atari brand and reorganizing under Atari SA.