The article discusses the Canadian government’s increasing interest in regulating the video game industry, which has been growing rapidly due to the pandemic. The industry has become one of Canada’s largest employers, with 30,000 jobs created, but it is also dominated by foreign companies such as Ubisoft and Electronic Arts. To protect Canadian developers from being acquired or taken over by foreign companies, the government is introducing new regulations, including requiring foreign entrants to submit undertakings (promises) to ensure that they meet certain conditions within three years.
The article highlights several recent acquisitions in the industry, including Embracer Group’s purchase of several Vancouver-based studios and Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s acquisition of Vancouver-based developer Next Level Games. The government is also concerned about the impact of video game development on other industries, such as film and television production.
Several experts are quoted in the article, including Kristopher Alexander, a video game design professor at Ryerson University, who notes that the sector is bleeding into TV and film industries, which are using video game development software to produce content more cheaply. The government’s increased monitoring of the industry is seen as necessary to protect Canadian developers and to understand the future of film and television production.
Overall, the article suggests that the Canadian government is taking a proactive approach to regulating the video game industry, recognizing its growing importance and potential for job creation. However, it also raises questions about the balance between protecting Canadian interests and allowing foreign companies to invest in and acquire Canadian studios.
