BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA CREATIVE INDUSTRIES. converge. here. Interactive Games + Design

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1 BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA CREATIVE INDUSTRIES converge here Interactive Games + Design

2 BRITISH COLUMBIA A LEADING CREATIVE HUB at the forefront of interactive technology British Columbia is home to a creative cluster of entertainment and interactive design companies, with world-class firms specializing in digital media and game development. East Side Games

3 British Columbia has a wealth of educated talent in a fairly confined space compared to Los Angeles where the talent is more expensive. Our location on the border and the West Coast is very conducive being on the ocean with the mountains, the quality of lifestyle, and the school systems make it a very attractive place. When people immigrate here, they tend to want to stay here and raise their families. British Columbia and Vancouver have attracted a lot of top talent from around the world. Howard Donaldson, DigiBC As an international centre for console, social, and mobile game production, internet, and app design, British Columbia offers highly skilled talent; comprehensive infrastructure with full studios and equipment; targeted incentives; and an exciting creative atmosphere. Our thriving media sector extends beyond games and digital design to include film, video, social media, interactive marketing, and e-learning. A rich pool of creative talent interacts to support businesses from indie app designers to major international producers, both online and for specific platforms. As an established industry with strong links to the U.S. west coast, Asia, Europe, and other entertainment centres, our creative sector has a deep well of talent, research, and training. Our creative services can handle the full range of development from concept to production, animation and visual effects, publishing, marketing and distribution. If your business requires innovative companies developing leading-edge business and entertainment technology, British Columbia is the right place to be it s where the creative revolution is taking off. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit Skilled labour force High quality of life Strategic west coast location Low corporate and personal income taxes Targeted tax incentives Competitive costing Green, low-cost power Excellent public infrastructure British Columbia s dynamic interactive cluster British Columbia s digital media content creators have built a dynamic cluster of interactive media that generates outstanding productions and wins international awards for its innovation and quality. Ideal location Our strategic location on Canada s west coast makes it convenient to do business with colleagues around the world. Our business day overlaps with morning work hours in Asia, afternoon working hours in Europe, and the full working day in California. Top talent British Columbia is home to a dynamic, highly skilled, and multicultural pool of talent. Skilled and experienced designers, engineers, and producers live and work here. Roadhouse Interactive Limited - Warhammer 40,000 : Carnage

4 Thriving creative nexus British Columbia s digital media sector enjoys strong relationships with film, television, and animation producers. This fuels a collaborative and openminded approach to projects, resulting in innovative productions. Large, established infrastructure Vancouver has a strong place in the world of information, entertainment, and communications technology. Workers are experienced with the entire range of interactive productions, from the imagined worlds of console games to the simplest mobile tools. Business advantages British Columbia s business climate is good for the bottom line, with one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the G7, no provincial payroll taxes or corporate capital tax, and the lowest personal income tax in Canada for individuals earning up to $122,000. British Columbia welcomes the creative industries with a variety of special tax credits and incentives. Liveability Our welcoming cities and communities are one of the main reasons that British Columbia is a global magnet for the world s top talent. Vancouver is instantly recognizable for its spectacular location: a city on the ocean with majestic mountains just 20 minutes to the north. Chosen by the Financial Times fdi Magazine as the top large city in the Americas and the third most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2015, Vancouver is also consistently rated a top destination for travelers. Other cities and towns in British Columbia have their own distinct character and demographics. No matter where you live, you will find safe, clean, and welcoming communities. Kelowna, British Columbia Kelowna, British Columbia, is a great place for a game company because it is a great place to live with lots to do: water sports, beach, golf, hiking, skiing/snowboarding, wineries... It s not difficult to convince developers to move/live here. Rob Bartlett, CEO / Founder, WTFast

5 We incorporated our studio in just four months from our initial visit and held our opening ceremony in the fifth month. We were pleased that this happened surprisingly fast. We were supported by the BC Trade and Investment Representative Office in Japan. Naohiro Saito, Executive Vice President, CTO, Bandai Namco Studios Vancouver Inc. Targeted incentives for digital media British Columbia Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit: Taxable Canadian corporations with permanent establishments in British Columbia in the business of developing interactive digital media products may be eligible for a refundable 17.5 per cent tax credit on qualified labour costs. The governments of British Columbia and Canada strongly support international initiatives to provide easy access to markets, talent, and financing. They have negotiated key agreements such as: North American Free Trade Agreement, providing duty-free access to Mexico and the United States Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), providing ambitious new market access opportunities and clear rules for European and Canadian businesses Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), Canada s first free trade agreement with an Asian trading partner, covers virtually all aspects of Canada-South Korean trade, including trade in goods and services, investment, government procurement, non-tariff barriers, environment and labour cooperation, and other areas of economic activity Creating the interactive future from the origins of the digital industry A STRONG PAST British Columbia is home to one of the oldest video game clusters in North America. In the early 1980s, Distinctive Software began producing games software, leading to other major developers such as Relic, Radical, and EA Canada, among others. This initial cluster created strong connections to sound and video producers and support companies for the video game industry. In 2014, British Columbia hosts 128 companies, with a complement of 5,500 full-time equivalent direct jobs. Reflecting its lengthy history, British Columbia s game development companies are more established than the Canadian average, with a median age of 9.4 years. Two thirds have been in operation longer than seven years. In 2014, the video game industry in British Columbia was responsible for $576 million in gross expenditure, and 40 per cent of companies reported that they expected growth of more than 25 per cent. A SHIFTING FUTURE The interactive entertainment industry is increasingly focussing on the emerging mobile market, with 84 per cent of companies developing games for smart phones and tablets. But while the number of completed projects is predominantly for mobile and casual markets, the lion s share of overall resources is still dedicated to console games by a small number of leading companies. Development for dedicated game consoles remains strong, with approximately 48 per cent of developers currently working on titles for current and next-gen consoles. Video game revenues reflect the same shift. Mobile games represent an increasing share of overall revenues, while digital distribution channels are also more prevalent than before. Roadhouse Interactive Limited

6 New media is going to continue to grow into the digital space into digital distribution, movies and animation, digital effects, and video games. We re seeing a convergence of those industries. John Lutz, Chief Financial Officer, EA Sports BRITISH COLUMBIA S MOBILE POTENTIAL As the ways in which content is created, distributed, and consumed continue to change, the synergy between games, the media industry, and the information and wireless industries has enormous potential. With considerable strengths in each industry, including our position as a leader in the development and production of interactive games, British Columbia has the corporate and production infrastructure to realize this potential. British Columbia s information, communications, and wireless industries are creating the technologies to support advanced interactive technologies. Our film industry has won awards in the heart of the entertainment industry, at the Academy Awards in Hollywood. With expertise and talent developed over many decades, as well as access to the most advanced technologies, British Columbia s interactive media companies can continue to lead the newest phases of product development and production. British Columbia s gaming sector has matured over several decades to become a vibrant and important part of the entertainment world. A favourable tax structure, an experienced and creative talent pool, and a tradition of innovation and cooperation among business, government, labour, and the community keep British Columbia competitive in a changing entertainment ecosystem. SOCIAL MARKETING AND APP DESIGN Social media and the internet have changed customer service, communications, marketing, sales, and retail. British Columbia s design studios are leading in the creation of apps, tools, and techniques to build successful social and online media strategies. Their sophisticated understanding of new forms of exposure and engagement help large and small businesses create successful online branding and social customer experience. In the new communications universe, one in every four people around the world uses social media online and on mobile systems. Companies are making radical changes in thinking and looking for tools and strategies to provide service, promote their brand and manage Sequence

7 their public presence. British Columbia companies are at the forefront of new tools for the digital economy. They can help local and international companies manage their marketing, customer service, communications, and human resources, and support them in adapting to rapidly changing business needs. British Columbia develops and supplies unique and essential products and services that are shaping the business response to the digital world. Join designers and producers for mobile, social, and interactive systems in creating innovative and effective apps and business products in British Columbia. ENJOY STRONG GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT British Columbia is committed to providing a competitive environment for the interactive digital design industry. Industry-led associations work hand- in-hand with government to provide a wide range of supports, including marketing events, forums for investors and producers, and award celebrations. DigiBC (The Digital Media and Wireless Association of BC) fosters community, networking, and partnerships in the digital media industry by providing its members with market intelligence, first notice of business opportunities, and promotional support. Digital media has a strong symbiotic relationship with the North American film and TV sector. DigiBC is a membersupported non-profit organization, established by the government of British Columbia. Creative BC supports and stimulates the development of British Columbia s broader creative industries including film, television, animation, digital, and conventional media. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization established by the provincial government with the mandate to expand and diversify the film, television, and media sector in British Columbia. Sequence

8 EAST SIDE GAMES East Side Games is a social and mobile gaming company located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in July 2011, the studio aims to be a powerhouse of social and mobile games, with profitable live titles including Dragon Up (ios), NomNom Combo (ios), Mighty Bots (Android) and their flagship game Pot Farm (Facebook) with the new addition, Pot Farm Moocher Pro (IOS, Android). The company s games have over 7.5 million installs and well over half a million unique users every month. Its creative team has built on experience working at leading games studios such as Blizzard/Activision, THQ, EA, Rockstar, and Ubisoft, as well as social and mobile space at studios such as DES Games, Hothead Games, Nexon America, and Spry Fox. Its art and animation team brings experience from DHX Media, Studio B, Mercury Filmworks, and Cartoon Network. With quirky and original social and mobile games that unite humour with a bit of edge, the company is one of many smaller producers that is making Vancouver s reputation in new interactive media. A THINKING APE Taking pride in hacker culture, A Thinking Ape creates mobile games with a collaborative approach. The Vancouver-based social games startup is dedicated to building strong mobile communities, growing from a small team of ten in early 2011 to over sixty-five employees in All three co-founders are Canadians and love living in Vancouver, although all are originally from eastern Canada. After setting up A Thinking Ape in Silicon Valley, they relocated to Vancouver, where they developed a series of games that includes some of the highest grossing apps on Apple s App Store, such as their flagship game, Kingdoms at War. By creating addictive games that users don t want to leave, A Thinking Ape is making British Columbia one of the world s creative centres for social games. Roadhouse Interactive Limited Education and research institutions DRAW FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA S RICH WELL OF INNOVATIVE TALENT The creative centres of British Columbia are a magnet for talent, attracting creative minds in record numbers. With an established community of experienced talent, British Columbia offers a great advantage for producers and designers of interactive entertainment and business products. Access to a vast talent pool draws innovative companies to develop create new products and services in British Columbia. ACCESS LEADING-EDGE TRAINING AND RESEARCH All of British Columbia s major educational institutions are engaged in digital media, providing outstanding facilities, training, and research services to the private sector. A steady stream of new graduates and innovation flows into the sector from our prolific educational programs and research centres. Each year, 3,000 graduates from British Columbia s post-secondary programs enter the media industry.

9 Roadhouse Interactive Limited Major educational institutions Centre The Centre for Digital Media, Vancouver, BC University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, BC Capilano University, Vancouver, BC British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC Vancouver Film School, Vancouver, BC Art Institute of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC Centre for Arts and Technology, Kelowna, BC Selkirk College, Nelson, BC Program/Initiative 20-month Masters of Digital Media Program for creators, practitioners, and senior management Media and Graphics Interdisciplinary Centre Imager Laboratory School of Interactive Arts and Technology 7th Floor Media Intersections Digital Studios School of Motion Picture Arts, IDEA School of Design Digital Design and Development 3D Modeling, Art, Animation New Media Design and Web Development A top international post-secondary digital media, animation, and film school, with recruitment offices in Mumbai, Mexico City, Taipei, and Seoul Media arts programs in film, digital design, and music Certificate and diploma programs in animation, digital filmmaking, and digital media design Digital Arts and New Media Program Centres of Excellence Centre The Centre for Digital Media Imager UBC Social + Interactive Media Emily Carr University of Art and Design Vancouver Film School Graphics, Animation and New Media UBC Program/Initiative In addition to providing graduate degrees, CDM students work with businesses and organizations on accelerated collaborative projects to develop ideas and prototypes An interdisciplinary research group working to advance the science of computer graphics, computer animation, visualization, haptics, and human computer interaction Supports a wide range of applied social, interactive, and design projects Rated a top-10 design school by the LA Times and the world s best VFX/ animation school by the CG student awards for several years A multi-disciplinary research network and commercialization engine targeting complex issues in digital media to find user-centred solutions

10 GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOLS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 4 year program Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford 3 year program The Art Institute, Burnaby Capilano University, North Vancouver Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond North Island College, Vancouver Island 2 year program British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby University of the Fraser Valley, Mission Langara College, Vancouver College of New Caledonia, Prince George Pacific Design Academy, Victoria Selkirk College, Nelson Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops Visual College of Art & Design, Vancouver Center for Arts and Technology, Kelowna Less than 1 year British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby BCIT and Emily Carr, Burnaby CDI, Surrey Langara College, Vancouver LaSalle College International, Vancouver Northern Lights College, Dawson Creek Surrey College, Surrey, BC Vancouver Career College, Kelowna Campus, Kelowna Vancouver Community College, Vancouver Vancouver Film School, Vancouver Entertainment and Media Companies Many leading companies have located in British Columbia, including: A Thinking Ape Activision Blizzard Atomic Cartoons Bandai Namco Big Bad Boo Studios Blackbird Interactive Bron Animation Capcom Game Studio Capture Labs DHX Studios Digital Domain Disney Interactive (Club Penguin) EA (Electronic Arts) EastSide Games Eh-Okay Entertainment Hothead Games Image Engine Inlight Entertainment Interdimensional Games Ironic Iconic Studios Kabam Klei Entertainment Koolhaus Method Studios Moonbase Design The Moving Picture Co. The Sequence Group Nerd Corps Next Level Games One Bit Labs Piranha Games Radical Rainmaker Entertainment RealNetworks Relic Roadhouse Interactive Saturn Animation Studio Shailah Interactive Silicon Sisters Slap Happy Cartoons Square One Games United Front Games WTFast Zoic Studios and many more ROADHOUSE INTERACTIVE LIMITED From its studio in Vancouver, Roadhouse has developed the technology and analytical systems to create and manage gaming productions from small social and mobile projects to large-scale synchronous 3D massively multi-player online games (MMOs). Founded in December 2009, Roadhouse develops, operates, and publishes live games for tablets, smartphones, and other connected devices. Its management team is responsible for some of the most well known game franchises of the past 25 years and continues to build upon industry-leading production, development, and live game operations expertise. The company s made-in-vancouver titles include FRS Ski Cross, Warhammer 40,000 : Carnage, Trophy Bingo, and Family Guy Online.

11 Take advantage of targeted incentives Canada and British Columbia offer a generous program of tax credits, exemptions, and deductions to encourage business investment and innovation in digital media. Incentive Qualifying Entities Tax Credit Rate British Columbia Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit Taxable Canadian corporation with permanent establishment in British Columbia in the business of developing interactive digital media products 17.5% of eligible salary and wages The Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit AdvantageBC International Business Activity Program Canadian-controlled private corporation International businesses registered in the International Business Activity program and with the AdvantageBC society 35% of investment tax credit on up to $3 million of qualified expenditures and 15% of qualified expenditures over the $3 million threshold Full refund of British Columbia taxes paid on qualifying international business activities (75% for income earned on qualifying patent activities) Saturn Animation Studios Creative BC supports and stimulates British Columbia s creative industries The Digital and Media Wireless Association of BC (DigiBC) industry association for digital media T-Net British Columbia provides information and business services to technology companies, industry suppliers and individuals within the British Columbia technology industry Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) the voice of the Canadian information and communications technologies (ICT) industry The Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC) connects people, knowledge, and resources in the technology sector on Vancouver Island Accelerate Okanagan entrepreneurs and technology companies in the Okanagan region of British Columbia Vancouver Enterprise Forum (VEF) offers networking contacts for technology companies CONTACT Ministry of International Trade 999 Canada Place, Suite 730, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3E1 Phone: Fax: Asia.Pacific@gov.bc.ca Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time of writing; however, the programs referred to, and data cited, are subject to change. All figures are in Canadian dollars. Printed: January 2016

12 Back cover image: FRS Ski Cross by Roadhouse Interactive Limited. Front main image: Roadhouse Interactive Limited under license from Games Workshop Limited. Front cover inset images (top to bottom): 1. PyroTouch, 2. East Side Games, 3. Roadhouse Interactive Limited, 4. Sequence Warhammer 40,000: Carnage images included Games Workshop Limited Carnage, the Carnage logo, GW, Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, Space Marine, 40K, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer 40,000 Device, the Double-headed Eagle device and all associated marks, logos, places, names, creatures, races and race insignia/devices/logos/symbols, vehicles, locations, weapons, units and unit insignia, characters, products, illustrations and images from the Carnage game and the Warhammer 40,000 universe are either or TM, and/or Games Workshop Ltd , variably registered in the UK and other countries around the world. All Rights Reserved to their respective owners.