As you are well aware the interactive digital gaming world is on the rise since interactive video games are all the rage.
Ontario wants a piece of the action as a major player in the interactive gaming world with the following incentives for companies to create their products in the province:
- Creating tax credits such as Ontario’s Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.
- Supporting the Interactive Digital Media Fund.
- Reducing small business income taxes by 18 per cent.
Here are the highlights of the growth of the province’s digital media industry:
- “In 2010, Ontario supported 341 digital media projects, leading to over $175 million in production and development activity.
- Digital media production contributes almost $1.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and employs 16,000 people, up from 8,000 in 2000.
- Ontario is home to about 1,000 interactive digital media companies.
- The Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit was valued at close to $20 million in 2009-10.
- Ontario is building an innovation-focused economy through postsecondary education and technology with partnerships like the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre. New digital media technologies spur development in video games, movie making and web applications and help create jobs for Ontario graduates.”
The interactive digital media companies that have invested millions to set up and expand studios in partnership with the Ontario government include:
- Ascension CrossMedia is involved in a new form of gaming called “connected transmedia”. That means a player can play one game on their TV, console and mobile devices. Premier Dalton McGuinty visited Ascension CrossMedia today to check out the entertaining and engaging games!
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
News Release
Ontario Digital Media Innovation Creates 16,000 Jobs
April 5, 2011
McGuinty Government Helps Industry Business Double
Ontario is fast becoming a major player in the interactive gaming world with incentives for companies to create their products in the province.
Premier Dalton McGuinty visited Ascension CrossMedia today to highlight the growth of the province’s digital media industry. Ascension CrossMedia is involved in a new form of gaming called “connected transmedia”. That means a player can play one game on their TV, console and mobile devices.
In 2010, Ontario supported 341 digital media projects, leading to over $175 million in production and development activity. The province is competing for the interactive gaming market by:
- Creating tax credits such as Ontario’s Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.
- Supporting the Interactive Digital Media Fund.
- Reducing small business income taxes by 18 per cent.
Digital media production contributes almost $1.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and employs 16,000 people, up from 8,000 in 2000. Companies like Ascension CrossMedia, Drinkbox Studios, Ubisoft and Digital Extremes have invested millions to set up and expand studios in partnership with the Ontario government.
Ontario is committed to building an innovation-focused economy through postsecondary education and technology with partnerships like the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre. New digital media technologies spur development in video games, movie making and web applications and help create jobs for Ontario graduates.
Supporting research and innovation is part of Ontario’s plan for high skill jobs and economic growth.
QUOTES
“Companies like Ascension CrossMedia and Drinkbox Studios are proof that the digital media business is thriving in Ontario and redefining the world of entertainment. That’s because Ontario has everything this industry needs — talented people, great business incentives and communities with a high-quality of life. We’re building Ontario’s economy now and for the future.”
– Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
“Creative minds, innovative technology, a positive investment climate and government support is growing our digital media industry by leaps and bounds. We’re investing in our people — the greatest resource we have.”
– Glen Murray
MPP Toronto Centre
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is home to about 1,000 interactive digital media companies.
- The Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit was valued at close to $20 million in 2009-10.
LEARN MORE
- Creative? Consider taking interactive digital media courses.
- Watch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she experiences made in Ontario technology during her 2010 tour of Pinewood Studios in Toronto.
- Find out more about the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
Office of the Premier
ontario.ca/premier
Comments
One response to “Ontario Gets Digital and Doubles Jobs in Interactive Digital Media Industry”
The global recession was hard on economies around the world. Ontario worked with people when others would have cut them loose. The economy is back on track. Ontario jobs are coming back and growth is returning. See the progress report here: http://bit.ly/k2ADga