About Us
The videogame development industry is fast becoming a major component of the entertainment mix in Georgia. The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office (GFMDI), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), is leading the way and becoming a “hot spot” in the thriving and powerful videogame development industry.
Georgia is home to more than 50 videogame developers and development companies. According to the Georgia Game Developers Association (GGDA), more than 2,000 Georgians are employed in some form of video game development. GGDA is the professional organization for videogame developers in Georgia and has more than 150 members. The casual games market, as well as the growth of educational, mobile and massively multiplayer online gaming (MMOG) is leading the emergence of game development studios in Georgia. The growth of digital distribution with portals such as Turner’s GameTap is also a huge factor.
Georgia is excelling in the industry, having recently received accolades in a variety of trade publications. In a recent poll by Game Developer magazine, Georgia was ranked number four in the nation in compensation levels for videogame developers.
The GFMDI role in the video game development arena includes the following:
- Promote Georgia’s video game development industry. This includes press opportunities, advertising, marketing, sponsorships, collateral materials, event creation and planning, staff support at events, and assistance in establishing growth models for the industry, etc.
- Identify B2B opportunities to help grow indigenous businesses.
- Identify appropriate resources within the state to facilitate initiatives or to provide solutions.
- Work with stakeholders on labor and workforce issues.
- Educate prospects and clients about the Georgia Entertainment Industry Incentives Act and promote the availability of these incentives.
- Administer all tax credit applications and claims for qualified projects.
- Administer all sales tax and use exemption applications and claims for qualified projects.
- Conduct prospecting program of attracting game development companies from outside the state to relocate in Georgia, assist with set up of Georgia office, or to utilize Georgia workforce and/or infrastructure.
- Call on prospects and potential clients within Georgia and outside the state.
- Coordinate with other GDEcD divisions as needed for assistance with relocations, expansion space, special funding, involvement of other state agencies, recommendations for resources, etc.
- Endorse and support legislation that is pertinent and favorable to the growth of the game development industry in Georgia.
- Provide industry dedicated liaison to assist with promotion, logistics, business development and all of the above.