Ubisoft, the maker of such games as Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia and Far Cry, is coming to Torontoto establish a major video game studio and create 800 jobs over the next 10 years.
Ubisoft chose Ontario, Canada because of the talented workforce, competitive tax environment and strong ties with the film industry. The Ontario government is investing $263 million over 10 years in the company. Ubisoft will invest over half-a-billion dollars in the new studio, which will begin operation in late 2009.
“Our world is one where you can borrow capital, you can copy technology and you can buy natural resources. But to build a high wage and a high standard of living you need talent. By investing in Ubisoft we’re building Ontario’s economy now and for the future,” said Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario.
Ubisoft is a worldwide leader in producing, publishing and distributing interactive entertainment products. The company has been in Québec since 1997 and today employs 2,200 people there. As of January 2009, they also have a presence in Vancouver.
QUICK FACTS
- Nine video games are sold every second in North America.
- Ontario’s digital media industry generates around $1 billion annually – and is growing fast.
- The entertainment software industry is the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world, outpacing both music and movies.