Published: 07-17-08
LOS ANGELES – Gov. Rick Perry today touted the Lone Star State as a great place for video game developers and companies to make their home at the annual E3 Media and Business Summit.
“All across the country in places where smart creative people gather to devise the next must-have game they are joined by people who are willing to invest their capital to see new ideas succeed” Gov. Perry said. “I invite you to bring your ideas and entrepreneurial spirit to Texas where our reasonable regulatory climate tax structure and an excellent quality of life are ideal for business development.”
Sponsored by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) the E3 Media and Business summit is the premier exposition for the entertainment software industry. The ESA serves the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games by offering a range of services including a global anti-piracy program business and consumer research government relations and intellectual property protection efforts.
Texas is currently home to 92 game and software development companies that employ more than 2800 people the third highest concentration in the nation. These interactive entertainment companies will spend an estimated $177000000 in Texas this year.
The governor cited Texas’ competitive film and gaming incentive program which provides grants of up to $250000 to gaming companies employing a majority Texas workforce working on Texas-based projects and the Texas Enterprise Fund as an attractive options for aspiring entertainment technology entrepreneurs. He also called for greater investment in gaming programs at state universities to ensure an educated and job-ready workforce.
The governor also challenged game developers to continue the growing trend of applying game technologies to more mainstream endeavors such as medical research physical rehabilitation and education.
“The gaming industry portrays a work ethic business model and embrace of new ideas that our nation would be wise to consider” Gov. Perry said. “I congratulate this growing industry on its success and invite further expansion in Texas where the barbecue is hot and the video gaming is even hotter.”
