A coalition of university departments, private technology companies, and governmental economic development organizations have formed the
Louisiana Game Developers Association, a non-profit group devoted to attracting game development talent to the state.
One method the LGDA plans to apply is a
tax credit for game developers, similar to the 10% tax credit the state offers movie production companies for filming in Louisiana. The LGDA is also working to provide interested game development studios with the necessary talent and workforce to sustain Louisiana-based interests by strengthening its game-related university curricula: the University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers its computer science students a concentration in Animation and Computer Art, as well as one in Video Game Design & Development.
Other areas the state is improving in hopes of garnering developer interest is its Internet connectivity: the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative is seeking to improve the state's broadband infrastructure and make Internet availability more widespread. Combined with other technological developments such as the recently-completed Nemeaux supercomputer at Louisiana State University and the motion capture studio at University of New Orleans, the LGDA could do well in attracting developer interest to the area. (Disclosure: the author of this news piece is originally from Louisiana and wishes them luck.)
