daaaamn. I could see this coming though, there was barely any hype for prototype 2 and the vancouver scene is just shiiiiit lateley, sad to see that once awesome hub for game dev just steadily imploding. good luck to anyone who got axed. the tax breaks are nowhere near as good as montreals, they just introduced a 17% subsidy but Montreal is already rocking a 38% one, so why even bother unless you are gonna really compete and support the industry.
On a happier note, ubi montreal is looking for level artists for various projects, including watch dogs, so if anyone is wanting to make the jump out here just PM me with your details.
They did, I believe they ditched the game industry tax breaks and gave them to the film industry which was also moving to places like toronto and other cities that were offering better tax breaks.
Absolutely sucks to hear about radical being shut down. Hope everyone affected lands on their feet.
They did, I believe they ditched the game industry tax breaks and gave them to the film industry which was also moving to places like toronto and other cities that were offering better tax breaks.
Absolutely sucks to hear about radical being shut down. Hope everyone affected lands on their feet.
I was reading the paper the other day and I think theres still video game tax breaks
Can anyone here confirm that Radical went under though? Either way it seems Vancouver's Game Industry is slowly disappearing.
That article is about digital effects and animation which are more to do with film and television. Those are still getting tax breaks. Game studios are probably getting tax breaks, but they have been reduced last I heard. I could be wrong though
That article is about digital effects and animation which are more to do with film and television. Those are still getting tax breaks. Game studios are probably getting tax breaks, but they have been reduced last I heard. I could be wrong though
last sentence says its also for the video game industry, but you might be right
last sentence says its also for the video game industry, but you might be right
Yea there's that little line at the end that I missed. Everything I've been able to find on the current tax breaks for vancouver all focus on film and television with little if any mention of video games. I'd like to be wrong, I've just been hearing talk for the last few years of studios choosing toronto or montreal instead of vancouver due to better tax credits.
I'd like to be wrong, I've just been hearing talk for the last few years of studios choosing toronto or montreal instead of vancouver due to better tax credits.
Super disappointing news. I know quite a few people who were there, best of luck to them and everyone else affected.
The sad part is that it's not that unexpected. Big publishers are swinging the axe quite liberally lately. Anyone that's not making a huge hit gets chewed up and spit out, even studios who've been around for a very long time like Radical.
Hopefully smaller and new studios will spring up from this and other recent closes/layoffs in the city. Otherwise it seems like the next time I look for an industry job I will almost certainly have to leave the city I've lived in all my life.
fuck, i'm gonna cancel my pre-order of prototype 2 for PC right now!!... i don't want to see my money wasted like with Ghost Recon Future Soldier. Ubi does not give support and Prototype may be broken for PC like GRFS (it was delayed several times aswell).
BTW, i saw this coming.
All the game industry is looking pretty grim right now, not only in vancouver.
The tax breaks wouldn't last forever, but taking them away right now just sucks. Could have at least waited till the global economy recovered and companies might be doing well enough again to stand on their own feet. But right now it's like a death blow.
For anyone affected, Turbine might still be hiring a few people, mostly engineers. Sony Bend is also looking for a technical animator, gfx engineer, and AI programmer last I spoke to them.
This is a good read on some of the worries that us as developers have to face when creating triple A titles that might not be well received. This should be an eye opener to a lot of publishers if they are not aware of it already.
Replies
On a happier note, ubi montreal is looking for level artists for various projects, including watch dogs, so if anyone is wanting to make the jump out here just PM me with your details.
They did, I believe they ditched the game industry tax breaks and gave them to the film industry which was also moving to places like toronto and other cities that were offering better tax breaks.
Absolutely sucks to hear about radical being shut down. Hope everyone affected lands on their feet.
I was reading the paper the other day and I think theres still video game tax breaks
http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/270921/digital-effects-and-animation-a-peek-inside-vancouvers-hidden-boom-industry/
Can anyone here confirm that Radical went under though? Either way it seems Vancouver's Game Industry is slowly disappearing.
It is official.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/28/prototype-studio-radical-entertainment-facing-significant-layo/
https://twitter.com/SlantSixGames/status/218424829601255428
https://twitter.com/relicgames/status/218435996126162945
That article is about digital effects and animation which are more to do with film and television. Those are still getting tax breaks. Game studios are probably getting tax breaks, but they have been reduced last I heard. I could be wrong though
Yea there's that little line at the end that I missed. Everything I've been able to find on the current tax breaks for vancouver all focus on film and television with little if any mention of video games. I'd like to be wrong, I've just been hearing talk for the last few years of studios choosing toronto or montreal instead of vancouver due to better tax credits.
The sad part is that it's not that unexpected. Big publishers are swinging the axe quite liberally lately. Anyone that's not making a huge hit gets chewed up and spit out, even studios who've been around for a very long time like Radical.
Hopefully smaller and new studios will spring up from this and other recent closes/layoffs in the city. Otherwise it seems like the next time I look for an industry job I will almost certainly have to leave the city I've lived in all my life.
A few jobs going here in the UK
http://www.datascope.co.uk/index.php
BTW, i saw this coming.
All the game industry is looking pretty grim right now, not only in vancouver.
I actually liked prototype alot...sad another studio has died off...I pour a drink to all those who suffered from this.
If any talented polycounters are looking to move to California to make exciting Next-Gen New IPs, Ready at Dawn is hiring a variety of roles:
http://www.readyatdawn.com/
DE is always hiring talented people drop me a line or apply on our website:
http://www.digitalextremes.com/careers/postings
The tax breaks wouldn't last forever, but taking them away right now just sucks. Could have at least waited till the global economy recovered and companies might be doing well enough again to stand on their own feet. But right now it's like a death blow.
and yeah, film in vancouver is doing worse, unfortunately
Wishing luck to all those affected.
This is a good read on some of the worries that us as developers have to face when creating triple A titles that might not be well received. This should be an eye opener to a lot of publishers if they are not aware of it already.