The Province of Ontario is helping two video gaming
companies expand operations in Ontario.
Silicon Knights of St. Catharines, Ontario will expand
its production capabilities. With the province’s support, the company is
developing the best 3D Game Development Engine that will include new advanced
camera systems, improved audio and video and better computing technology.
The new 3D tools will help the company develop the next
generation of gaming systems and become a self-sustainable, self-publishing
company.
Ontario is also helping Gameloft, an international
publisher and developer of downloadable video games – open a new
state-of-the-art digital gaming studio in Toronto, Ontario. With the
province’s support, Gameloft’s new Toronto facility will help expand the
company’s lead position in one of the fastest growing and most innovative areas
of the digital video gaming industry.
With 300 games already available through over 700
different cell phone service providers, the company will continue to create
digital games designed specifically for smartphones and mobile devices such as
iPhone, iPad, smartphones as well as social networks like Facebook.
“Our province continues to be an innovative leader
in the high-growth, global video game market. Ontario’s support to Silicon
Knights will expand production of its unique, next-generation 3D Game Engine,
target new markets, and create highly-skilled jobs,” said Sandra
Pupatello, minister, Economic Development and Trade.
Since 1988, Silicon Knights
has been developing and distributing video games worldwide. Silicon Knights is
one of the world’s most established independent video game developers with a
host of ground-breaking titles, including: Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Eternal
Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Too Human and
the soon-to-be-released X-Men Destiny.
Gameloft Canada, a subsidiary of France’s Gameloft has established
partnerships with leading licensors including UNO, Ferrari, Shrek, CSI,
Spiderman and Iron Man.
Ontario is home to about 1,000 interactive digital media
companies that contribute almost $1.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and
employ around 16,000 people. In June, Ontario had an increase of more than
40,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate declining to 7.7 percent.
“With Ontario government support, we are
better-positioned to further develop the 8th Art of video games. This will
enhance our competitive edge within the highly-competitive video game market,
help us become a self-sustainable, self-publishing entity, and allow us to
enter lucrative global markets,” said Denis Dyack, president, Silicon
Knights.
By Telecomlead.com Team
