P.E.I.'s video game industry doubling
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 | 12:33 PM AT
CBC News
Related
Audio
- The CBC's Laura Chapin explores P.E.I's growing video game industry (Runs: 13:28)
- Play: Real Media »
With the entry of two new players into P.E.I.'s video game industry, the number of people working in the sector is about to double.
The province is also funding more post-secondary education in video game creation in the hopes of helping to attract more of the industry to the Island.
The new companies include Longtail, an independent studio launched by a partner in Ubisoft, which is based in France, and an independent game testing and quality assurance company. The establishment of the companies will double the sector's workforce from 60 to 120.
"They saw the premier's commitment in this area, and they said, 'Hey, you guys are open for business. We're coming,' " said Development Minister Richard Brown.
That commitment includes a new video game art and design program at Holland College starting this January. The University of Prince Edward Island started offering three courses this year, with a full degree in video game programming to be announced soon.
The availability of local training is important because competition for staff is stiff internationally. Local studios get many of their senior staff from the United Kingdom or train in-house.
"If we can do the training for them, then that helps them," said UPEI computer science department chair David LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said the local education programs will make the Island a more attractive place for computer gaming companies to locate.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- Firefighter tackles blaze with snowblower
- A 52-year-old P.E.I. man escaped from his burning house in New Glasgow early Thursday morning without even the shirt on his back, while his brother tried to fight the fire with a snowblower. more »
- International athlete cap challenged
- Holland College is leading a fight against caps on the number of international athletes that can play on varsity soccer, basketball and volleyball teams. more »
- Domestic violence court called for on P.E.I.
- Women's groups on P.E.I. are calling for a special family violence court to address domestic abuse. more »
- RCMP cuts worry residents
- A proposal to cut RCMP coverage in the eastern P.E.I. community of Montague got a hard ride at a public meeting Wednesday night. more »
Top News Headlines
- Former Expos catcher Gary Carter succumbs to brain cancer
- Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who left an indelible mark on baseball in Canada during his 12 years with the Montreal Expos, died on Thursday. The man nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" for his ever-smiling face and cheerfulness is free from the inoperable brain cancer that sapped his energy and took his life at age 57. more »
- UN backs resolution condemning Syrian regime
- The UN General Assembly has backed a non-binding Arab League-sponsored resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and end his regime's violent crackdown on dissidents. more »
- 7 MPs and their fiery quotes
- The election of a majority government was seen by some as a chance for less acrimonious politics on Parliament Hill. But the past week has seen its fair share of inflammatory rhetoric on both sides of the House. more »
- Dog kills newborn in Alberta community
- Officials in Airdrie are revealing few details about the fatal mauling of an infant by a family dog in the southern Alberta city. more »
- Firefighter tackles blaze with snowblower
- Poor water pressure frustrates Cornwall residents
- RCMP cuts worry residents
- P.E.I. farmers consider HST
- School PD days cut to save costs
- Domestic violence court called for on P.E.I.
- Joe Byrne not interested in P.E.I. leadership
- Quebec premier visits storm-stricken Magdalen Islands
- Gas price rises 3.1 cents
