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Digital Game Development

New York is a digital game development industry leader, fostering a thriving ecosystem of talent and innovation

Contact Patricia  Bayley
Industry Contact Regional Director Patricia Bayley
RIT

The growing game development industry reflects New York State’s investments in invention

RIT

New York State is top-ranked in the digital game development industry, home to top companies and to first-class academic programs and partnerships that are building the talent pipeline.

Recognized as a national industry leader, New York State is fifth in the nation for the amount the industry adds to the economy; fourth in numbers of digital game development companies; and home to five of the country’s Top 50 video game design and development undergraduate and three top graduate programs. The state has invested  $20+ million in Digital Game Development at New York University (NYU), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)—to build industry innovation, collaboration through mentoring and community outreach—reflecting strategic support for industry growth. These centers have created more than 120 jobs and led to the development of 110+ games.

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Internationally recognized companies like Take Two Interactive and Velan Studios got their start in New York State producing and publishing iconic games including the Grand Theft Auto franchise and Knockout City. And virtual reality is making significant strides with studios like New York City-based InkStories winning film festival awards from Sundance to Tribeca. New York also hosts some of the industry’s key events, including Games for Change

New York State Digital Game Development Program

Two men at the Game Developers Conference playing a video game

New York State’s $5 billion digital game development industry is on a growth track, supported by incentives and investments in infrastructure that will encourage growth. In 2023, New York State launched the Digital Game Development Program which provides $25 million in tax credits to digital game development projects done in New York State. The Excelsior Jobs Program offers refundable tax credits to companies in exchange for job creation and investment. And New York State has invested in 5G, in Rochester,  New York City and Buffalo, to offer 50x greater responsiveness and speed for industry-related applications and technologies.

RIT

In 2024, five New York schools were ranked in The Princeton Review’s rankings of top undergraduate programs for game design: New York University; Rochester Institute of Technology; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; New York Film Academy; and Cornell University. NYS is also home to three top digital game development grad programs at New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Twenty-nine colleges and universities across the state offer degrees and additional colleges and programs offer classes in game development programming.

New York State is home to hundreds of game development companies including Take Two Interactive, Avalanche Studios, WB Games, Games for Change, Atlantic Games, Velan Studios, Second Avenue Learning, Playmatics, Workinman Interactive, Wolfjaw Studios, Rushdown Studios, 1st Playable, Computer Lunch and Everyrealm.

Digital Game Development in New York State

Discover why New York State is the ideal place to launch or expand your business.

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13,000+

Direct and indirect digital game development jobs

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#4 in the U.S

In numbers of Digital Game Development companies

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$168K+

Average digital gaming company employee salary

New York State's Digital Game Development Industry

New York State is driving the digital game development industry, with an unsurpassed educated workforce and resources to help game development companies of all sizes thrive.

Opportunities to grow your business in New York State

Construction of the New NY Bridge in New York's Mid-Hudson Region.

Tax-Based Incentives

All forms of tax incentives that enable savings and cost advantages to businesses.
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Operational Support

Programs offering assistance or training to ensure more competitive businesses.
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Growth Support

Funds, loans and other means of financial support to stimulate business growth.
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Innovation Development Support

Financial incentives to foster university collaboration, research and innovation.

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Industry Contact

For press inquiries, please contact [email protected]

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Yoni Bokser headshot
Yoni Bokser
Executive Director/Vice President, NYS Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development & New Media
Digital Game Development