Quebec: an ideal location for video game companies - JRC - EC

QUEBEC: AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR VIDEO GAME COMPANIES

QUEBEC, CRADLE OF DIGITAL ANIMATION

• End of 1940s: The National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

• 1970: The producer Robert Forget founds the “Centre Animatique”

• 1986: Daniel Langlois founds Softimage• 1994: Acquisition of Softimage by Microsoft• 2001 Avid buys Softimage

VIDEO GAME IN QC - A LITTLE HISTORY

A LITTLE HISTORY

Milestones:• Tax incentives• Ubisoft• Local companies leaders in their fields• Alliance numérique• IGDA Montreal

A 600% growth since 2003

And today…

• 7,000 jobs• Over 90 companies• International leaders• 3 new international companies announced the

opening of an office in Montreal – within the last seven months!

And we developed

• Splinter Cell: Conviction• Army of Two• Guitar Hero Smash Hits• Wet• Mass Effect 2

And today…

Quebec is the fifth development cluster in the world

12 3

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But why?

It’s more than a financial policy

An ideal location

An education system focused on the industry’s needs

A very attractive location for employees

A vibrant cultural life

A highly creative workforce

A cost effective location

26,8% lower than Europe25,5% lower than the USA

Among the lowest tax rates in North America

But also…

Provincial tax credits that set Quebec apart

And on the federal level

Canada Media Fund

75% of the project eligible costsor

Max 1 million $

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)

20 to 35% of eligible costs

And an association to represent them…

Alliance numérique

• Quebec’s digital industry network

A mission…

Support and accelerate the growth and competitiveness of the industry.

And a vision…

Make Quebec a center of world excellence with respect to creation, production and distribution within the digital industry.

4 sectors:– Alliance Mobility– Alliance Internet– Alliance eLearning

And of course…– Alliance Jeu!

• Our mandate– Represent and support our industry– Facilitate its development

• How?– Lobbying– Activities and events– Programs

A concrete example?

We organize the Montreal International Game Summit