New Victoria game studio to have ripple effect on tech scene :TG.YnotDo Articles

You may know that I am constantly on the
lookout for good content on
High Tech Gadgets. Make sure you read this article and inform me what you
think. Today’s info is titled New Victoria game studio to have ripple effect on tech scene

Article by Liba456

The decision by Microsoft to open a game design studio in Victoria will have “a huge ripple effect” on technology and education in the city, observers say.”It says a lot that a global player like Microsoft can take a look at our local tech ecosystem and say, ‘This is where we want to set up and do some innovating,’ ” said Dan Gunn, executive director of the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC).”It’s significant praise and it shows that Victoria has what [Microsoft] was looking for. I think you will see other companies take notice and this will have its spinoffs.”The world’s biggest software-maker told the Times Colonist in an exclusive interview Wednesday it will be opening a studio on Wharf Street downtown early in the new year, designing games for its XBox console and other formats.Technical director Chris Robertson said as many as 60 people could be employed over the next year as Redmond, Washington-ba sed Microsoft opens a satellite to its studios in the Seattle area and Vancouver.Dale Gann, vice-president of the University of Victoria’s Vancouver Island Technology Park, called the announcement a “groundbreaker” that will attract new talent to the city, which will ultimately benefit other technology companies and post-secondary programs.”It has a building effect,” Gann said. “If you build the industry, UVic could step back and ask how it can tailor the computer science program to benefit from this.”Microsoft’s local presence could also be a tipping point for talent that’s on the fence about moving here to work for one or two companies, he added.”It tends to attract more people because there’s more options and Microsoft is a very big name.”Gunn said recruiting remains the No. 1 challenge for many technology companies in the area.”But when you get a major player like Microsoft onboard, it’s star power and brings much more direct attention from around the world. A potential recruit could say, ‘I’ll take that job with a local firm because I’ve got other options with a player like Microsoft.’”It makes everyone just take a harder look at Victoria,” Gunn said.Greater Victoria’s hightech industry currently employs more than 13,000 people in 800 companies, generating annual revenues of .95 billion.VIATeC claims the economic impact to the region is .65 billion a year, surpassing tourism.The organization, which holds its biannual exposition on Dec. 8 at Crystal Garden, developed a new brand earlier this year – Tectoria – to draw new enterprise and attention to the industry.Microsoft isn’t the first big catch. IBM has been set up in Victoria for years and there have been several other solid startups that have attracted major players as buyers – Amazon bought up AbeBooks, French giant Schneider Electric scooped up Powe r Measurement, and Roche bought Aspreva Pharma, which produced a 0-million initial public offering, a record for Canadian bioscience.”We’ve seen a lot of big companies acquire good local companies and decide to stay here because the region has so much going for it,” Gann said. “Now we’re seeing other companies say, ‘Let’s start it there.’ “Indeed, Microsoft likes what it sees in Victoria.Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, pointed to Victoria’s “world-class universities” and the already-thriving tech industry for reasons to set up shop. He also cited a highly educated and skilled workforce.Robertson, the technical director of the new studio, said gaming companies can essentially start up anywhere, but it is the measure of the city – a sense of community, transportation links, schools and green initiatives – that often makes the decision.”Victori a really has it all,” he said.Gann said the tech park recently played host to more than 500 of B.C.’s top students – the winners of regional science fairs.Most were impressed with special effects company Cebas, which has recently contributed to several blockbuster Hollywood movies, including Spider-Man 3 and Alice in Wonderland.Cebas relocated to Victoria from Germany and now employs developers worldwide.

http://www.technologyrobos.com/

You may view the latest post at
New Victoria game studio to have ripple effect on tech scene

Best regards,
ReneMank
tinkogiko@gmail.com