North Carolina governor Beverly Perdue has signed a new law offering companies economic incentives for interactive digital media productions.
From 2011, firms will receive a 15 per cent tax credit on compensation and wages for employees involved in digital media production, “or the creation of a platform or engine that runs such digital media”.
North Carolina plays home to 14 game developers and publishers that contributed $73.4 million to its economy in 2006, according to figures from US trade body the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
Governor Perdue signed the legislation, House Bill 1973, at Epic Games’ Cary, North Carolina headquarters.
“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,” said ESA CEO Michael Gallagher. “These incentives demonstrate the state’s commitment to encouraging the expansion of the entertainment software industry.”
Epic president Mike Capps said: “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. 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 at EA-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. By signing this bill, governor Perdue will help North Carolina be more competitive in the digital media marketplace.”