EA: Many of our studios benefit from Tax breaks

EA Canada is just one of “many” Electronic Arts studios that take advantage of government-supported tax breaks, an executive at the company has said.

Andrew Wilson, the senior vice president of worldwide development at EA Sports, said tax breaks “facilitate greater investment in projects, and makes the whole process that little bit more comfortable”.

“EA has many studios that takes advantage of game tax breaks and EA Canada is certainly one of them,” he said in an interview with Develop.

EA Canada is based in Vancouver, meaning that it has the opportunity to take advantage of the British Columbia district’s state support incentives.

Two BioWare studios, one in Montreal and another in Edmonton, also have tax break options.

However, Electronic Arts doesn’t position tax breaks at the centre of its Canadian studio policies, Wilson said.

“We’d make huge investments regardless, but tax breaks makes the whole process easier – I wouldn’t say a lot easier, but we appreciate the government support at all the studios where we get it.”

Elsewhere in his interview with Develop, Wilson said EA Canada has hired many developers from the UK.

“They have a passion for football that is near unmatched, though I would say that some Argentine staff we have who are little crazier about the game,” he said.

Go here to read the interview in full.