Stade d'intervention: Production

At the release stage of the game

Pourquoi calculer l’empreinte carbone d’un jeu vidéo ?

Since 1 March 2025, it has been compulsory d’évaluer l’empreinte carbone des jeux vidéo pour prétendre aux aides du CNC, comme le fonds d’aide aux jeux vidéo ("FAJV").

There are a number of tools available for carrying out a carbon footprint, including the Jyros tool developed specifically by and for the video games industry. However, using these tools effectively requires specific training and time.

How can I calculate the carbon footprint of my video game?

The first answers you need to provide to calculate the carbon footprint of your video game will seem relatively simple (such as the type of video game being developed or the hardware specifications required).

However, calculating the carbon footprint of video games involves not only the games themselves, mais aussi et surtout les ressources humaines et matérielles utilisées pour les développer. La précision de l’empreinte carbone dépendra donc de votre capacité à fournir de nombreux détails sur la vie de votre entreprise (les trajets effectués et le mode de transport utilisé, l’achat ou la location de matériel informatique neuf ou reconditionné, etc.)

Entering this information amounts to carrying out a specific analysis of your company's accounts. The accuracy of the carbon footprint will therefore depend on the level of detail with which you identify and report the information within the tool.

Bigwhoop calculates the carbon footprint of your video game

Bigwhoop can calculate the carbon footprint of your video game and, more broadly, of your company's activities. As well as freeing up your time, we guarantee an independent and accurate analysis of the elements required to present a reliable carbon footprint that can be accepted by public authorities.

We have analysis tools specific to the video games industry that have been tried and tested in particular to ensure fast and efficient accounting analysis of expenditure eligible for the video games tax credit ("CIJV").

Bonus Stage 1: The carbon footprint is not enough to apply to the Video Games Fund. You also need to write and present a summary document. BigWhoop can do this for you (find out more about writing an "FAJV" application).

Bonus Stage 2: Applications to the CNC's video game fund require a 3-minute on-camera presentation of the game. These few minutes are a very short time to present your game. It is very important to maximise the effectiveness of this presentation. The agency can write your speech and record and edit the video (more about video creation).

Bonus Stage 3 : During your pre-production phase, we recommend that you produce a realistic market study in advance to help finance the production of the game (more about producing a realistic market research).

Production phase

What is involved in creating a trailer for your video game?

The trailer creation stage is a process that consists of testing the enthusiasm of players for the features of your video game. These features are highlighted through the creation of short videos published on social networks in the form of advertisements. However, in order to be as relevant as possible, these videos must meet rigorous construction and specific criteria.

What are the challenges of creating a trailer?

The important thing is to succeed in extracting some of the main features of the video game from the essential mechanics that govern its game design. Each of these features must then be presented in short, impeccably staged trailers. The main objective is to highlight these features while offering a rhythm and an adapted production. This is done by targeting and staging different situations in gameplay sequences. Capture software then records these situations in high quality. Then it is crucial to organise them in a fluid and dynamic way using video editing software.

For example, and in the context of a shooting game, let's imagine that one of the features to be highlighted is high realism. The situations shown in the trailer must therefore reflect this aspect. By recording, for example, gameplay sequences that highlight the impact of surrounding noises on the player, the heaviness of the character or the ruthlessness of the confrontations. To do this, it is strongly recommended to use deliberately heavy and cumbersome passages followed by lively and impactful sequences.

Trailer creation is therefore a process that requires knowledge of the expectations of the players. It is also a creative process that requires video production and editing, but also a lot of time. The aim is to produce well-paced and relevant videos.

Our trailer creation method enhances the video rendering of your game

BigWhoop has the necessary resources and personnel to create video game trailers. We offer to create your trailers for the advertising campaigns that are essential to the success of our study. Our methodical approach allows us to target the features expected by your market and to define the best way to promote them.

Following the different steps of our market research, we use your explanations and the results of our competition research to create the video. Depending on the resources and means of your studio, you can directly provide us with recorded sequences that concern the chosen features. If you do not have the time, you can also provide us with a playable version of your game. We can produce the required recordings for you. Even if the demo is incomplete and/or still very buggy, our know-how guarantees a professional rendering. The final video will give a qualitative reflection of your game that will surely please the audience.

Production phase

Why calculate the amount of your video game tax credit ("CIJV")?

Calculating the Video Game Tax Credit (called "crédit d’impôt jeu vidéo" or "CIJV" in French) allows you to benefit from a 30% refund on the expenses related to the development of your video game. In theory, this calculation may seem very easy. You add up all your expenses, apply 30% and you're done! In practice, it is not so simple...

The General Tax Code specifies the details of the calculation of the "CIJV". This code indicates the expenses eligible for the "CIJV", but also the methodology accepted by the tax administration for selecting, restating and prorating expenses. Although these rules may seem clear, they are open to interpretation. Only a solid experience of this scheme can anticipate the reactions of your tax office.

Avoiding mistakes when calculating your video game tax credit

During the development of your video game, you will use various resources, both human and material. The time spent on each of these resources for the production of the video game must be consistent and justifiable.

To give you a few examples among many others from past experience, a studio director who answers many press interviews will find it difficult to justify working full time on the production of the game. A server shared between data from your previous game and the game in development will not be able to benefit from a valuation for 100% of its cost. The overall bill for a freelance community manager who in reality divides his time between writing articles to praise the merits of the game and collecting technical opinions from users will have to be arbitrated.

The eligibility and utilisation rate of each resource should be assessed. Analysis of your invoices is essential to determine whether they can be valued within the "CIJV". Your accountant will generally not have anticipated this meticulous analysis. As a result, he will have the greatest difficulty in rendering the arbitrations requested by the tax authorities.

BigWhoop calculates and secures your video game tax credit ("CIJV")

BigWhoop works alongside your accountant. We carry out an in-depth analysis of your expenses and optimise the "CIJV" with other subsidies or tax credits. Our experts, specialised in the video game industry, carry out this analysis for you.

Our agency works with all types of studios, from independent studios to studios belonging to large groups. BigWhoop ensures the traceability of all arbitrations. We can answer questions from your various contacts, including the tax authorities. A few weeks after you apply for a "CIJV" refund, your tax office will ask you to justify the amounts claimed. If you do not provide a clear explanation, your tax office may reject your claim and delay your refund for several months.

Bonus Stage : it is also important to anticipate the normal timeframe for the "CIJV" to be reimbursed by the tax authorities, which may extend beyond 6 months. How can I get the money just a few weeks after the "CIJV" has been calculated? We have a network of financial partners who are able to make advances on the amounts requested from the tax authorities.

Production phase

Writing your video game tax credit file ("CIJV")

Writing a video game tax credit called "crédit d’impôt jeu vidéo" or "CIJV" in French) application can allow you to benefit from a reimbursement of 30% of the expenses related to the development of a video game. To benefit from this, you must submit a provisional approval application file. This 'dossier' consists of an artistic file and an administrative file.

The purpose of the artistic dossier is to provide arguments on your eligibility for the scheme. These arguments can describe the originality of your game or the innovations you are developing. An administrative file then allows you to evaluate the development costs and your financial capacity to complete the project..

This 'dossier' must be submitted to the CNC as soon as possible. The "CIJV" is only available from the official date of application..

Important points for writing a video game tax credit ("CIJV") dossier

The "CIJV" dossier must emphasise the arguments that enable the eligibility criteria to be met. Obviously, depending on the type of game presented, the arguments to be put forward will differ.

For example, if it is a video game with a strong narrative component, it would be ideal to show the characters in dialogue situations as well as the major milestones that define your scenario. On the other hand, if it is a video game with no storyline but with a game engine that allows many units to be displayed on the screen, you should describe precisely how your technology works.

A structured, fluent and understandable writing style is essential to make your application easy to read. A pleasing graphic presentation also helps to show the seriousness of your approach.

BigWhoop writes your video game tax credit dossier

BigWhoop has several experienced profiles specialising in the video game industry. We offer to write your "CIJV" file and enable you to file it in a very short time. Our method consists of using your existing documents to produce a first version of the file. These documents can be a game design document, technical documents, graphic assets, moodboards or a prototype. We also sometimes build on an initially rejected file to produce a better quality dossier.

Following the production of this first version, we assess the weaknesses of the dossier. If necessary, we ask you to clarify certain points or produce some additional assets. This method allows us to minimise the time spent on compiling the file while maximising the speed of submission. Our intervention is generally partially or totally reimbursed by a filing date - i.e. a date of eligibility - that is much faster than if you had produced the file yourself.

Bonus Stage 1 When well written and presented, the "CIJV" file can also be used to apply for grants such as the CNC's video game support fund ("FAJV") for pre-production (more about writing a pre-production dossier).

Bonus Stage 2 : In the context of an "FAJV" application for production funding, an additional part should be described concerning marketing and communication. To convince the commission that your game has a chance of selling, we recommend that you produce a realistic market study (more about producing market research).