Louisiana Considers Tax Breaks For Game Developers

According to local news reports, the state of Louisiana is considering tax breaks specific to the video game industry, in an attempt to lure game creators to set up shop in the state. The state has already employed an extremely successful similar scheme for film productions using the state, with exemptions on state sales tax (normally 4%), tax credits of 10% for the employee payroll if employees are Louisiana residents, and an additional state income tax credit for investors. Movies including The Dukes Of Hazzard, Ray, and All The King's Men have recently used the state for filming, eschewing other lower-cost filming areas such as Canada. Mark Smith, the entertainment director for the Department of Economic Development for the state commented to newspaper The Advocate: "It ties in so well with the film industry because a lot of major films coming out are marketed with video games." However, it's unclear whether games, which sometimes have much longer development times and require markedly different resources to the movie industry, will also find similar or adapted incentives attractive. Nonetheless, Louisiana officials and other public/private sources are expected to be taking further advice and comments from the game industry in the near future.