Texas is hoping to attract more video game companies to the state by increasing incentives for them to relocate here. Garry Gaber helps run Austin Community College’s Game Development Institute. He thinks it's a good decision.
"It is hopefully going to bring a lot of business, even more business into Austin," says Gaber. "I think it's a very good thing for the gaming industry, and it would be very good for our students because it would give them more places to find employment."
The incentives to individual gaming companies could triple. That would put them on par with grants already given to film companies. Evan Fitzmaurice, director of the Texas Film Commission says the lure of incentives was apparent when EA Games announced last month that it was bringing three-hundred jobs to Austin.
“The CEO stood in front of the room and basically said the incentive program offered by the Film Commission was a key part in his decision," said Fitzmaurice.
Last year, the Texas Film Commission awarded$9 million in grants to video game companies.