Getting in the Game - At long last, studios begin to look to East Coast
The Daily News
By Staphane Massinon

In a city with strong artistic and computer communities, it might be considered surprising that few gaming studios call the area home.

But with the success of HB Studios in Lunenburg, and a Backbone Entertainment studio to come to Atlantic Canada, some gamers are hoping video-game production could establish itself here.

At an information session and recruiting drive, Jeff Vavasour of Foundation 9 Entertainment, which will open the Backbone studio, spoke to interested gamers.

"This is a creative outlet for the technically minded and I think that’s a nice combination," said Vavasour.

With a studio in Vancouver, the company is looking for another locale on this coast, with Prince Edward Island the leading contender.

They’re hiring designers, artists, programmers, producers and testers.

Foundation 9 has worked on games for systems ranging from the Xbox to Game Boy Advance with titles such as Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Spider-Man.

"We’re looking for people, and I know there are people out here who haven’t made the leap," said Vavasour, a Newfoundlander.

‘Pretty cool’

"There’s creativity in different cities; I just know that there isn’t the outlet for it here. We want to help improve that."

For people looking to get in, that’s great news. Jason Dillman, 21, is a Dalhousie University student from Halifax who wants to break into the business, likely as a programmer.

"Games are what I love,’ said Dillman after the information session.

"It’s pretty cool to have this opportunity. I think the Maritimes are a place that have been largely passed over."

Given that the gaming industry is one that has continued to grow, it’s possible expansion into the area is good news, said Jennifer Ayotte of Nova Knowledge.

"We have yet to recognize the economic-growth potential of this (industry)," said Ayotte. "It’s still in the incubator stage, and as it takes off, there’s no reason why it can’t have its own niche."

"I think the creative community and the IT community have been fairly insular and it is time to connect the two."