Martin Sibille, BSB'99 : From ESC Dijon to Tencent Games: an international career path

Martin Sibille, BSB'99, embodies the convergence of culture and technology. Now Vice President at Tencent Games (world leader in video games), he talks about his career path, his vision of this universe and the place he has carved out for himself in the world of culture. 

"My last internship at BSB (ESC Dijon at the time) was at Virgin Music. I always wanted to work in entertainment", he explains. But it was at Procter & Gamble that he started out, acquiring solid skills over ten years before joining Electronic Arts (EA). Fifteen years at EA saw him travel between France, Spain, Mexico and Switzerland, before joining Tencent Games in 2022. His mission: to structure a global publishing organization in an industry where creativity and technological innovation are intertwined.

For Martin Sibille, video games are much more than just entertainment. "Video games mark generations, just as films and books do. They influence social norms and create a common language, like Minecraft or EASports FC." As early as the 2000s, worlds like The Sims even explored societal themes ahead of their time, with the first marriages between same-sex characters or the representation of people of color. "Video games are often at the forefront of new trends, whether in terms of business models, technology or relationships with audiences."

This cultural commitment is part of a broader definition of culture. "Culture nourishes our individual and collective identity. Today, it oscillates between globalization and the valorization of local cultures. It's connected, participative and committed," he says. Video games, thanks to their immersion and collaborative dimension, are fully in line with this dynamic.

Martin Sibille also discusses the challenges facing the industry: moderating gaming spaces and protecting intellectual property, particularly in contexts such as e-sport tournaments. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about the educational and artistic potential of video games, which he sees as unique tools for telling stories and creating connections between people. 

To young designers, he advises them to be curious and in tune with trends, while remaining true to their values. "This industry is constantly evolving. It's your passion and your ability to adapt that will make the difference!"

"If you'd like to try out some games, I'd recommend :

• Astro Bot, a cooperative game wins Game Of The Year award
• It Takes Two, an adventure game
• Dying Light, a horror game 
• Warframe, an action shooter
• And finally, a surprising game: "Les fourmis". Inspired by Bernard Werber's cult trilogy of books, this strategy game lets you follow and lead a colony of ants. Exciting and representative of the diversity of existing games!