Microids

Background: Microids is a French game developer and publisher with a long history, well known for its quests (notably Syberia). In 2003 the company experienced financial troubles and was merged with an interactive division of Wanadoo, which led to the creation of MC2-Microids France. In 2005 the Canadian powers of MC2 were took over by Ubisoft, and since 2007, MC2 use Microids brand for games. In 2008 Microids acquired intellectual rights for Cryo products. In 2010 French company Anuman Interactive purchased Microids and all their property. The name is currently used by Anuman as a publishing brand.

1st Logo (Early 90's - 1995)
Logo: There is an orange rhombus with the grid in its lower part. A decorative M, something like a butterfly, is seen over the rhombus. The letter is purple and orange with blue byline, and with a light flash. The word "Microïds" (in green or white) is below there.

Technique: Sometimes no animation, but several games have the M letter flying into the screen like a bird or spinning.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen in a variety of games like Dominium, Ultimate Domain or Super Ski 2. The 3D-rendered version appeared on Secret Mission.

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2nd Logo (1996-1999)


Logo: We see a yellow particle streak circling around the screen, and then the M fades inside rotating. The letter has a brush-drawn view with various colors. Then the particle streak dissolves and silver MICROIDS letters rotate below. Then the logo background changes to white, while the rest remains black.

Technique: A particle streak rotating.

Music/Sounds: A deep, somewhat somber fanfare soundtrack.

Availability: Uncommon, but still can be found on Rising Lands, Get Medieval and AmerZone.

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3rd Logo (2000-2004)


Logo: There is a deep red space, probably a construction set, surrounded by shafts. The shafts go off, revealing the beaming light, which creates the logo. The letter is exactly the same as in the previous logo, but MICROIDS is all in white capitals.

Technique: The opening logo made in full CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: Deep trumpets.

Availability: Common, used on Empire of the Ants, Road to India and both Syberia and Syberia 2.

4th Logo (2003-2004)


Logo: The purple square with white outline fades in. It has an arrow in the down left corner. The white letters inside read MC with 2 below.

Technique: Only fading.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: The logo's appearance is very unsteady and has short life span. The game that used it for sure was Obscure.

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5th Logo (2005-2009)


Logo: The logo is a strange white construction, where the M and an overturned i can be found. There is also a rhombic dot near the i. Below this, we can read microids. The logo can also be color-reversed.

Technique: None. Sometimes the logo slowly zooms in.

Music/Sounds: None, it's silent.

Availability: No longer current. Appears on Still Life, Still Life 2, Return to the Mysterious Island 2 and ECHO.

6th Logo (2010-)


Logo: A small redesign of the previous logo, added curve lines and different font. The logo is light green.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Appeared on the Syberia release for portables.