I didn't realize Rick was such a big supporter of the video game industry in Texas. He gave the keynote for E3 last year? That's sort of out of place, no?When not making bizarre references to seceding from the United States, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is good friend to the video game industry.
The Guv, who delivered last year's E3 keynote in Los Angeles, today signed into law HB 873. The bill increases the amount of state grants available to video game, film and other digital media production companies.
As reported by the San Marcos Daily Record, Perry was enthusiatic about the legislation at the bill signing ceremony:
With this legislation, we are strengthening our state’s investment in a vital industry that not only shows off our state to the rest of the world, but also draws investment and creates jobs for Texans.
ESA CEO Mike Gallagher praised Perry via press release:
I commend Governor Rick Perry and the Texas state legislature for recognizing the contributions that the video game industry already has made in the state, and for acting quickly and decisively to ensure that the industry has the opportunity to reach its full potential. Today, Texas showed its strong willingness to stay competitive with other states that are seeking to attract video game developers and publishers.
KVUE has a video report on the bill signing.
One of the comments in that blog is pretty funny...
Re: Texas Guv Puts Secession Plans on Hold, Signs Game Biz ...Submitted by Saladin - April 23, 2009 at 3:20 pm -0500As a Texan, I'm all for seceding from the U.S. and building an unholy video game empire!
*Cough* Er... what I MEANT to say is that this is great for game companies and gamers alike. Yes. That's just what I meant. *Eyes the rest of the comments board suspiciously*
YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteESA Praises Texas Boosting Incentives for Video Game Industry
WEBWIRE – Friday, April 24, 2009
Legislation Provides Economic Incentives for Digital Interactive Media Production
WASHINGTON, DC – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) praised Governor Rick Perry and the Texas State Senate and House of Representatives for their leadership in expanding economic incentive programs for digital interactive media production.
With Governor Rick Perry’s strong support, State Senator Bob Deuell (R-District 2) and Representative Dawnna Dukes (D-District 46) each pushed through their respective chambers HB 873, which removes caps on grants available for entertainment industry productions. With the implementation of HB 873, the Texas Film Commission will be charged with adopting rules to determine how grants will be administered for all entertainment industry productions’ in-state spending.
“Texas has clearly demonstrated a clear commitment to investing in the creative and innovative technologies that will support its residents – both economically and culturally – for years to come,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “I commend Governor Rick Perry and the Texas state legislature for recognizing the contributions that the video game industry already has made in the state, and for acting quickly and decisively to ensure that the industry has the opportunity to reach its full potential. Today, Texas showed its strong willingness to stay competitive with other states that are seeking to attract video game developers and publishers.”
According to the Texas Film Commission, about 90 video game development and publishing companies already are based in Texas. These companies and others stand to contribute significant revenue and value to the state—as evidenced in a report prepared for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, entitled The Current and Potential Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Texas’ Moving Media Industry. The report finds that the value of Texas’ video game industry is found to be at more than $149 million—far exceeding all other entertainment ventures, including studio feature film, television, animation and commercials production.
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 www.theESA.com.