Digital Domain Opening Florida-Based, Game-Focused Studio

California-based special effects and animation firm Digital Domain is expanding with a new Florida studio planning to specialize in video game and animation work. The 150,000-square-foot facility is being funded by nearly $100 million in investment and grants, according to a Variety report, with a third of that sum coming from local and state government hoping to stimulate industry growth in Florida. The new studio plans to employ more than 500 employees by the end of 2013. The group's focus on games, animation, and military simulation will allow Digital Domain's headquarters and recently-announce Vancouver locations. Digital Domain signaled its interest in the game industry as far back as 2007, when co-chair and Hollywood director Michael Bay said, "I make world-class images. Why not put those images into a game?" There has not yet been any conclusive statement as to whether Digital Domain's game-making operations will be largely self-contained, or whether the firm plans to initially focus on outsourcing for external developers. However, in this decade, the company has made significant strides to becoming a full-fledged film production house, rather than specifically an effects specialist, and it might look to move in the same direction with video games.