Growth In Gaming Industry At Montreal Appeals IT Employees

29 Sep 2011

As per an Economic Development Agency in Quebec a Government program has resulted in movement of 86 business and more than 8 thousand jobs to Montreal. Nearly 37.5% out of the moved businesses comprise only of gaming industry.

According to the program, Montreal will sponsor gaming industry in the form of a refundable tax credit. This means for every dollar a video-game company spends on paying its employees, it receives 37.5 cents from Government of Quebec. Companies will also get incentives on conversion of French version games. The incentive plan has influenced major gaming industries like Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard, to open businesses in Quebec.

Government of Quebec has spent 100 million dollars last year on this program and received satisfying results. Employment opportunities have increased in Quebec. Recently THQ, a southern California gaming company, also moved to Montreal and recruited 145 employees. They have set a goal of hiring 100 employees every year for the next 5 years.

Dave Gatchel, General Manager of THQ Montreal, in the Montreal Gazette said, “When you look at our plan, it would be very difficult to do it in a lot of markets. But the right ingredients are in Montreal, with the tax incentives and the quantity and level of talent."

Ubisoft is one of the most fortunate gaming companies in Montreal and at present has over 2,000 employees. EA the 2^nd largest gaming company in US shifted to Montreal in 2004. Currently it has 750 employees and plans to hire more people for mobile and social games.