Montpellier: Caravan Sandwich, the socially engaged video game that reinvents the norms
Caravan Sandwich, produced by the Montpellier-based independent studioPlane Toast , is a true revolution in the world of video games. This game, combining adventure and exploration, whose setting is inspired by futuristic Provençal landscapes, recently received two Pegasus Awards, the equivalent of the César Awards for video games. Behind this success lies a project whose inclusive and progressive values challenge traditional industry standards, positioning Montpellier as a hotbed of video game creativity.Triumph at the Pegasus Awards On March 6, Caravan Sandwich triumphed at the Pegasus Awards. This game, developed by the Montpellier-based studio Plane Toast, co-founded by Émi Lefèvre, received the honors of “Best First Video Game” and “Best Independent Video Game.” The enthusiastic team showed their solidarity by celebrating this memorable moment with a collective hug on stage, demonstrating their pride in producing games with a strong social impact.A rich universe, inspired by Provence The adventure of Caravan Sandwich
begins on a space station, where the player embodies Sage, a young girl searching for her missing sister. Émi Lefèvre, also creative director, explains that the game is a treasure hunt in a setting reminiscent of the Provençal landscapes. The characters’ names, such as
Medlar , are taken from scrubland plants, reinforcing the immersion in this unique universe. Born in Montpellier In 2017, the idea for the game took root in the high school of Pertuis, in the Vaucluse region, thanks to Émi Lefèvre and Adrien Lucas, its co-founders. In 2021, after an initial prototype, they decided to partner with Plug In Digital’s Dear Villagers label, located in Montpellier. to bring their project to life. Émi Lefèvre highlights the vitality of the video game industry in this city, particularly with many former Ubisoft employees. Industry Challenges and CriticismsDespite impressive sales of over 60,000 copies, the game remains far from profitable, having cost a million euros. Émi Lefèvre criticizes a system where the publisher appropriates distribution rights prematurely, believing that the industry still needs to mature. Support for industry unions, demanding greater transparency and improved working conditions, is part of this desire for evolution.
A Proclaimed Inclusivity
Caravan Sandwich stands out for its LGBT, trans, and non-binary characters and its inclusive writing. The game features themes such as eco-responsibility and criticism of exploitation by mega-corporations. Émi Lefèvre explains that particular attention was paid to accessibility, with features designed for the hearing and visually impaired. A successful project, but not without challenges The development ofCaravan Sandwich
was fraught with challenges, including a burnout that Émi Lefèvre experienced. However, winning the Pégase Prize is a satisfaction that closes a difficult but rewarding chapter. This pioneering game continues to establish
Montpellier as a major platform for video game innovation, rivaling other notable events in the city such as Zevent 2024 .