Electronic Game Industry Continues to Grow in 2013

MONTREAL, April 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - TECHNOCompétences predicts that in 2013, the electronic game industry will see 5 to 10 per cent growth. This year, once again, TECHNOCompétences is publishing its report on the electronic game industry, revealing a thriving sector as shown by its job creation numbers. The rate of growth was calculated based on hiring forecasts data supplied by companies that participated in the 2012 survey.

Québec's electronic game industry did very well last year. Despite a flurry of layoffs and studio closures during the year, the industry experienced a 9 per cent growth rate. The expansion in job creation is spectacular when compared to the 0.8 per cent overall job creation growth rate in Québec and the 1.6 per cent growth rate in information and communication technologies (ICT). In spite of these hard times, 713 net jobs were created over the past year, for a total of 8,979 jobs (55 companies). This represents an increase of 9 per cent compared to 2011, bringing the growth rate of the electronic game industry up to 712 per cent since 2002, and average annual growth of 22 per cent.

To conduct this study, TECHNOCompétences managed to obtain the participation of 55 of the 81 companies developing in and around Québec's electronic game world, with the exception of microenterprises. Although the larger companies of over 100 employees represent 90 per cent of the workforce, the smaller studios are nonetheless significant players. Given the difficulty of identifying the profusion of microenterprises in this industry, however, their data were not recorded. Had they been incorporated, the findings would more than likely not have been substantially different.

2012 industry in figures
The distribution of enterprises by sector shows that electronic game development companies are spearheading the industry:

• 87% of the companies are active in game design (consoles, mobile platforms, on line, social media);
• 5% focus on software development, support, and other services;
• 8% specialize in testing and quality assurance.

Jobs in the electronic game industry are mostly located on the island of Montréal. The workforce is distributed as follows:

• 82% in the Montréal region;
• 11% in the Québec City region;
• 7% in other regions such as Estrie, Mauricie, Saguenay-Lac-Jean and Outaouais.

Companies face numerous challenges
The scarcity of experienced and talented candidates poses a major and recurring recruitment and retention challenge for employers. The most sought after professionals must possess a university degree, especially in programming, production, and production support, and two to seven years of experience (intermediate workforce), particularly in the areas of production management, game design, artistic production, programming, and production support.

Confronted with numerous technological challenges and platform fragmentation, these companies must keep up to date to stay competitive, which means a substantial hike in training costs. To this end, in 2001, TECHNOCompétences began providing reasonably priced master classes that aim to meet the key professional development needs of the artisans of Québec's electronic game industry. Since the program's inception, companies have invested $192,632 and 310 employees have received the training.

TECHNOCompétences thanks the companies that participated in the 2012 survey. The study was conducted with the support of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT).

To read the survey report, go to http://www.technocompetences.qc.ca/etudes/jeu/2012 (in French only).

Concerning TECHNOCompétences — www.technocompetences.ca
The vision of TECHNOCompétences, the Sector Committee for the Information and Communication Technology Workforce, is to ensure that Québec's ICT industry is a world leader in terms of the quality of its workforce. Its plan is to balance the offer and demand for qualified human resources. Since 1998, TECHNOCompétences has been committed to maintaining in-depth and current labour market information, enhancing the skills of the human resources required by the industry, and helping companies improve their management practices.

SOURCE: TECHNOCompétences

and interview:
Karine Martin
Project Officer - Communications
TECHNOCompétences
Tel.: [phone], extension 361
[email protected]