There is a great article on Michigan (Stardock’s home) and other animation/video game devs taking advantage of tax breaks to open and expand their studios.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/detroitnws/detroitnws_ts3065
“In Plymouth, PC gaming company Stardock plans to spend $18 million during the next decade to hire employees and expand its facilities to include a new $900,000 studio. The 60-employee firm was founded in Michigan more than 20 years ago. CEO Brad Wardell said the credit helps give Michigan technology firms a boost in overcoming other economic challenges, such as an otherwise relatively high state tax burden and a weak high-tech business community. It also helps attract talent and retain Michigan graduates who may have otherwise left for jobs elsewhere. “
“In Plymouth, PC gaming company Stardock plans to spend $18 million during the next decade to hire employees and expand its facilities to include a new $900,000 studio. The 60-employee firm was founded in Michigan more than 20 years ago.
CEO Brad Wardell said the credit helps give Michigan technology firms a boost in overcoming other economic challenges, such as an otherwise relatively high state tax burden and a weak high-tech business community. It also helps attract talent and retain Michigan graduates who may have otherwise left for jobs elsewhere. “
Heh. It should be noted that Stardock hasn't received a cent or a tax break. So they're all talking theory.
Damn pesky little thing called "citizenship".....hehe
Indeed! We would love to have you here!
I'd move to Michigan to work for Stardock.
Well then there's gotta be a way we can make it work.........you know Obama personally right? hehe
"Be with you in a second guys, my Sovereign just leveled..."
[...]
I would love to work in game development. Unfortunately with the lack of enthusiasm for recruiting in the UK (they seem to prefer to squeeze more and more out of the people they already have) chances of me getting onto the job ladder at all aren't very good. If it wasn't for me spending a few days a week working in the stock room of a charity shop, I'd have nothing much on my resume at all.
There's nothing stopping me from getting the hang of the programming languages, but without experience I'm not likely to get a job here, and if I can't get a job I'm not going to get any "relevant" experience. Sometimes I think employers create this situation just to make things more difficult for themselves. The agencies are a joke, you're lucky if they even reply by e-mail never mind call to ask you to come in.
What I despair about most is not the money but the chance to do what I do best. Though at the moment it seems like I'm the king of whining.
Ah, Stardock is expanding to develop Society! Hurray!
Uh-huh. Keep dreaming, Poly
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
I don't know. I don't think Brad replied to my last email yet. The man is too busy programming AI for elemental....
Have to agree. Amazing how you let businesses keep more of their money (albeit through a tax "credit") and they hire folks. Who'd of thought?
Seriously, lived in MI most of my life (now in the middle of the country) and just got back from a family visit on the west side of the state. It is very troubling for me to see MI economic situation given all my family are back there.
As a Canadianite myself currently working in the US, I can tell you it's very easy. It's the easiest citizenship with which to get a work visa, though Australian is a close contender.
Hiring people in Michigan?
That's highly unorthodox.
"to include a new $900,000 studio"
Let me guess. The latest contract negotiations with your newest sentient AI requires they be given a space all their own?
Brilliant!
You don't pay enough taxes anyway! Quit complaining!
Frogboy, what you need is a good tax attorney like myself. Also, North Carolina (where I'm licensed) has just passed even better (some bias here) incentives for companies that produce software for the masses. Seriously, get in touch if you want to discuss getting your peeps to move to Research Triangle Park!
I think Stardock should put a program similar to EA's Partner program, where they help develop and publish games from little indie studios and devs, like me, . It would be a win-win situation.
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