An article brought to you by Sun Eagle, edited by Ugo

A publisher born from digital technology and crowdfunding

From its inception, Megara Entertainment distinguished itself with a focus on innovation: the website megara-entertainment.com, launched in 2008, primarily offered iOS applications based on the Fabled Lands universe. Starting in 2012, the publisher established a subsidiary in the United States (Megara Entertainment LLC), with Richard Hetley as co-director, to facilitate its international logistics operations.

The company's rise was accompanied by a series of successful Kickstarter campaigns, including the 2013 campaign for the re-release of The Way of the Tiger, which exceeded 400% of its goal. Megara quickly became a prominent player in the gamebook niche, thanks in part to the engagement of passionate communities.

A landmark catalogue for the gamebook scene

Between 2013 and 2018, Megara significantly enriched the interactive book landscape, both in its original language and in French. Several contributions deserve highlighting:

• Complete or expanded reissues : The Way of the Tiger (with two unpublished volumes), Golden Dragon , Grey Star, Blood Sword (partially).
• Expected translations : Dave Morris 's Heart of Ice , Autumn Snow , or Fabled Lands – The Torn Kingdom.
• Original French-language creations : such as Le Métro du Cauchemar, L’Épopée du Moine-Guerrier, or Fleur d’Hiver.
• Editorial experiments : cardboard inserts, laminated cards, collector's editions, or hybrid comics like A Merry Feast.

This period marks a resurgence of activity in a sector that had previously been rather stagnant. Megara contributes to the rediscovery of several licenses and authors, while also promoting a wider circulation of works between English-speaking and French-speaking spheres.

Legal problems and growing tensions

Starting in 2017, several difficulties arose. Some Kickstarter campaigns, although funded, struggled to be delivered. The Champions of Megara card game project failed to secure its funding. Meanwhile, PDF publications were being sold without clickable links or explicit authorization from their authors.

In 2019, the publishing house launched an Ulule campaign to sell digital files of more than 30 books, raising concerns among authors who had not given their consent. Voices were raised, particularly on specialized forums, to point out the lack of formal contracts.

That same year, Megara announced its impending liquidation due to a lack of investors.

Brocéliande Editions: continuity or rupture?

In the wake of this, a new non-profit publishing entity was created: Brocéliande Editions, also founded by Mikaël Louys. The website reprints Megara's works, sometimes verbatim, with the stated intention of publishing only in French.

However, several authors and translators have stated that they did not give their consent for the republication of their titles. Works translated or created under the Megara license are now being offered by Brocéliande, often without contracts or formal approval. These publications are therefore considered unauthorized by their creators. Among them are the following series: The Way of the Tiger, Golden Dragon, Lands of Legend, Destinies, Sword of Legend, Challenges & Spells, Fabled Lands, Survivors of the Asphalt… All are unlicensed and are being sold without the authors' permission. This is further confirmed by the fact that some series are now licensed by Alkonost and Scriptarium .

However, some projects, such as the re-release of Nils Jacket, obtain the author's agreement and are completed through crowdfunding.

A story that has ended, but a lasting impression.

In 2020, the Brocéliande website ceased official sales. In 2023, it offered free downloadable excerpts and the option to order print-on-demand books. Again, caution is advised, as many titles are being sold without authorization. While no official closure announcement has been made, activity appears to be limited.

Despite a complex end to its journey, Megara Entertainment has left a lasting mark on the interactive book scene in France. By facilitating access to rare or unpublished works, experimenting with new formats, and leveraging digital tools, the company helped to restore visibility and vitality to a genre that had long been marginalized.

Appendix – Summary Timeline

Translation by Google Translate