The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) published a 2011 report on their website, including information about job outlooks, salary information, and Canada’s place in the animation global market.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Over the past two years, despite the economic recession, the industry grew by 11% annually and is projected to grow more rapidly over the next two years at 17% per year.
- Approximately 16,000 artists, innovators, and designers are employed by the Canadian video game industry.
- With nearly 350 companies, Canada’s video game industry is estimated to contribute $1.7B to Canada’s economy.
- The Canadian video game industry remains the third largest in the world, or in first place on a per capita basis based on the employment levels in other countries.
- The research found that the average salary in the Canadian video game sector ranged between $40,000 and $73,000 per year, compared to the $29,000 median income in the rest of the Canadian economy.
What is ESAC?
ESAC is the voice of the dynamic and growing video and computer game industry in Canada. Association members include the nation’s leading entertainment software developers and publishers including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Canada, Nintendo of Canada, Sony Computer Entertainment Canada, Disney Interactive Studios, THQ, Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment, Ludia and Take Two Interactive, as well as distributors Solutions2Go and Team One Marketing.