Made in Canada Thanks to Government Tax Credits
The Globe and Mail published an article today announcing that Canada is among the top video game developers in the world. The Entertainment Software Association of Canada, a non-profit trade association which serves for the needs of developers of video games, have stated that Canada is the 3rd largest producer of video games behind only Japan and the United States.
The article in the Globe and Mail made it clear that the federal and provincial tax credit programs are to be thanked for the growth of Canada’s video game industry. The incentives offered have been effective at drawing global and independent producers to Canada. It was also noted that Canada’s post secondary education programs have helped to produce a talented and good quality workforce for the video game industry. Games that have been produced in Canada include Ubisoft Montreal’s “Assassin’s Creed” and “Splinter Cell”. The “FIFA Soccer Series” and many others have also been produced in Canada by Electronic Arts Canada.
Recently, there was some exciting news from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment who announced that they will be opening a development studio in Montreal in the next few years. Their studio is looked forward to as it will create many jobs for up and coming Canadian talent in the video game industry. The Globe and Mail received a statement from Warner Bros. stating that
Quebec is a perfect fit for the company with its skilled workforce and universities, as well as its tax credits and other incentives.”
Quebec was visionary in seeing the potential value of attracting and encouraging video game developers to settle in their province. However, in a changing economic landscape, attracting the high-value (high paying and highly skilled) jobs associated with the video game industry has become a priority for other provinces as well.
