La saison des Fêtes est la plus faste pour les éditeurs de jeux vidéo, qui en profitent pour dévoiler leurs titres les plus prometteurs. Ça explique pourquoi l’industrie du jeu vidéo montréalais semble en fête, ces jours-ci, malgré un pessimisme généralisé qui risque de réduire la taille des cadeaux de Noël de nombreux foyers, tant au Canada qu’à l’étranger.

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Dans le cadre du Sommet international du jeu de Montréal, qui aura lieu la semaine prochaine au Palais des congrès, le chapitre canadien de l’Entertainment Software Association (ESA Canada) publiera le résultat d’un vaste sondage sur l’état de ce secteur au pays. Le constat: la forte demande des dernières années s’essouffle. Les revenus tirés de la vente d’appareils et de logiciels de divertissement au Canada ont bondi de plus de 50% entre 2006 et 2007.

Entre 2008 et 2012, cette croissance sera plutôt de 9,2% par année, selon PricewaterhouseCoopers, et sera essentiellement concentrée dans le secteur de la téléphonie mobile et des jeux familiaux, comme la populaire planche de jeu Wii Fit, qui fonctionne avec la console de Nintendo.

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Autodesk, known for its 3ds Max and Maya software used throughout the video game industry, today announced the acquisition of rival firm Softimage from Avid Technology. Autodesk is acquiring “substantially all of the assets of Avid’s Softimage business unit for approximately $35 million.”

Montreal-based Softimage was founded in 1986 and is known for its flagship product SOFTIMAGE|XSI, which is a 3D animation software solution used by a number of entertainment companies and game companies, including Digital Domain, Ubisoft, Sega, Capcom, and others.

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From gamezone.com:

GamersFirst announces a development partnership for an original game with A2M, the largest independent game developer in Canada.

GamersFirst and A2M will be working together on an unannounced social gaming title. This new game will be available in late 2009 and continues the pledge of GamersFirst expanding its industry presence into the development of original titles. 

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From gamersdailynews.com:

“Festival Arcadia will take the four floors of Pepsi Forum by storm from November 7 to 9 this year. In its fourth edition, Arcadia promises visitors a brand new upbeat “house party” concept, where each floor will have its own special surprises in store. It’s non-stop gaming for three straight days!

The heavy hitters of the industry—Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Eidos, Gameloft, Frima Studio and many more—will be on hand for this celebration of video game culture to present their latest releases, all sure to delight players of all ages, from novices to veterans. In addition, the first floor of Pepsi Forum, where several video game stations will be installed, and the stage performances will be accessible to all free of charge.”

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From marketwatch.com:

“A2M is ranked among the Deloitte Technology Fast 50(TM), a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Canada, based on the percentage of revenue growth over five years.
A2M’s increase in revenues of 279% from 2003 to 2007 resulted in a 46th ranking. A2M has now ranked for three years in a row amongst the Deloitte Technology Fast 50(TM). Moreover, for the past two years, the company has ranked simultaneously among Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies and Deloitte Technology Fast 50(TM), a notorious performance.”

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From developmag.com:

"Jacques Daoust, the president and CEO of Investissement Quebec, the Canadian agency responsible for the tax credits offered to games developers, has defended the region’s economic rebates from previously reported criticism that said the Montreal game scene was draining UK and European talent."

What do you think about the financial help Quebec is getting, is it fair to other country?

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