News Releases
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Dan Hewitt – dhewitt@theesa.com or 202.223.2400 |
ESA Applauds New Digital Media Incentives in North Carolina
Legislation Will Boost Computer and Video Game Industry in the State
JULY 22, 2010 – WASHINGTON, DC – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today praised North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue for signing into law legislation that provides economic incentives for interactive digital media productions in the state. With the governor’s approval, House Bill 1973 will provide companies with a 15 percent tax credit on the wages and compensation for employees involved in digital media production, or the creation of a platform or engine to run such media.
Governor Perdue, surrounded by supporters and computer and video game industry leaders, signed the legislation at the Cary, North Carolina-based Epic Games. Spearheaded by State Representatives Pryor Gibson, Grier Martin and Chris Heagarty and Senators Marc Basnight, Dan Clodfelter, Floyd McKissick, Josh Stein, and Clark Jenkins, these incentives will take effect on January 1, 2011.
“North Carolina is among states leading the charge to embrace computer and video games as a job engine and a magnet to recruit and retain talented artists. These incentives demonstrate the state’s commitment to encouraging the expansion of the entertainment software industry,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “We applaud Governor Perdue and members of the North Carolina Legislature for taking action that will stimulate technological innovations and the state’s economy for years to come.”
The $22 billion entertainment software industry provides jobs in communities across the country. In 2006, computer and video game industry added $73.4 million to North Carolina’s economy alone, and the state is home to 14 computer and video game developers and publishers, including several ESA member companies.
“North Carolina is host to a growing hotbed of talented individuals working to develop cutting-edge game technologies and exciting new ways to experience entertainment, visualization and training software,” said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. "This law provides North Carolina with a tremendous opportunity to grow and develop our community into a world leader for information technology.”
Ryan Stradling, director of product development, Electronic Arts-North Carolina, also praised the legislation. “These incentives are important to creating new, high paying jobs that will attract the state’s best and brightest,” he said. “By signing this bill, Governor Perdue will help North Carolina be more competitive in the digital media marketplace.”
The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the E3 Expo, business and consumer research, federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit http://www.theesa.com/.
###
Copyright © 2013 — ESA Entertainment Software Association |
 |