Digital Extremes Plays To Win In Ontario

Written by Ontario Newsroom on 16 April 2011

McGuinty Government Helps Create 30 New Jobs, Protect 53 Jobs In London

Ontario is turning the corner and helping a London-based video game studio create 30 new jobs and protect 53 existing jobs, with more than 120 people currently working at the studio.

Digital Extremes is developing a “3D Evolution Game Engine” that automates programming work required to create a new 3D video game. The technology will reduce the time and cost involved in bringing new games to market, helping Digital Extremes grow its business and making Ontario’s digital media sector more competitive.

Partnering with local business is a key component of the plan laid out in Ontario’s 2011 Budget — Turning the Corner, to create and support 10,000 new and existing jobs for Ontario families and strengthen local economies.

QUICK FACTS

Digital Extremes is investing nearly $36 million in the project, including a $2.5-million grant from the province.
The company was the co-creator of Epic’s award winning Unreal franchise and has recently worked on THQ’s Homefront and 2K Game’s BioShock franchise.
Digital Extremes’ original game, Dark Sector was released in 2008, selling more than one million copies.
Ontario is home to about 1,000 interactive digital media companies that contribute almost $1.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and employ around 16,000 people.
The Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit was valued at close to $20 million in 2009-10.
So far, Ontario has recovered 93 per cent of the jobs lost in the recession.
As a result of the tax changes implemented in Ontario, taxes on business investment were cut in half, making Ontario more competitive and encouraging business growth.