The film and TV industry contributed $241 million to Georgia’s economy in 2007, the year before the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act (Act) was passed. Since then, hundreds of feature films, TV shows, commercials and music videos have been shot in Georgia, including The Hunger Games, Captain America: Civil War, The Walking Dead and Stranger Things (which, by the way, is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana).
Ten years later, in 2017, the economic impact to Georgia’s economy had grown nearly 40-fold to $9.5 billion.
Georgia-based film and TV production is a relatively well-known story that has overshadowed similar growth – also aided by state tax credits – of the video game business and esports industry. Among other things, the Act provides a tax credit of up to 30% for qualified expenses incurred by production companies that film esports events in Georgia, and companies that design, develop and market video games can earn up to $1.5 million in tax credits.
The global esports and video game industries are valued at more than $1.1 billion and $159 billion, respectively, and growing. More importantly, electronic entertainment is one of the best ways to attract children into the study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). According to a recent survey conducted by GYO Score, 50.4% of high school and college-level esports athletes are primarily interested in pursuing STEM college majors. A vibrant game development/esports community is essential for keeping college students who study these fields in Indiana.
The time is right to pursue a Georgia-like incentive in Indiana, and The Esports Combine – which took place the weekend of October 16 – is a good example why. Nearly 550 of the country’s rising high school and collegiate esports stars demonstrated their gaming skills and competed for a share of an estimated $15 million in available scholarships during the event. Altogether, more than 1,000 athletes, recruiters, scouts and other industry pros participated in the combine.
Plans for the inaugural event were first announced in May. It was originally scheduled to take place in September at the Indiana Convention Center before the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to switch to a virtual platform.
In a video message kicking off the event, Gov. Eric Holcomb said:
“We just could not be more excited about the esports that have captured the imagination and engagement of a new generation of athletes. Once again, Indiana is making an emerging sport our own. The Esports Combine is more than just about competition. It supports the development and the evolution of athletes in partnership with secondary and postsecondary institutions.
“Esports are here to stay and flourish, and we’re proud to partner in this endeavor. As we celebrate and define a new age of sports, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the place where champions are crowned – Indianapolis, Indiana.”
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Technology in the Modern Workplace – Business as Usual? is the title of a one-hour Indiana Chamber webinar on November 17. Presenters from GadellNet will explore using technology investments to your benefit with a focus on efficiency/cost savings, information security and employee satisfaction/recruitment/retainment.
