March 03, 2009

State Legislation to Increase Digital Media Jobs

Growth of New Media Industry in New Mexico Brings High Paying Positions

Albuquerque, New Mexico—February 25, 2008—A bill passed by the State House of Representatives is a big step forward in the state’s quest to attract more new media companies and jobs.

“We’ve participated in the state’s incentive programs in the past and they have helped us create good jobs in New Mexico,” said Game Production Services CEO Janeen Anderson.  “We think this bill will help attract more companies.”

House Bill 404 will make sure that companies that produce video games, including serious games used for training, such as the type Albuquerque-based GPS produces, are included in the definition of media companies eligible for state tax rebates. This was the original intention of previous legislation, but the language was unclear.

“This legislation will make it easier for large publishers to build a relationship with companies in New Mexico and encourage more video game companies to locate in the state.  We think it’s an important step in positioning New Mexico as a global leader in the digital media and entertainment development industries,” Anderson said.

The Rio Grande Chapter of the International Game Developers Association also applauds the new legislation.

In recent years the Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries has been working to broaden the types of new media companies included in state programs.  Changes in the new media industry make the areas of film, animation and video games increasingly interrelated. 

Strong academic programs at the University of New Mexico’s main campus and its Los Alamos campus, at New Mexico State University and other schools have helped prepare students for high-paying careers in the burgeoning area of new media. 

The recently held fifth annual Media Industries Conference highlighted the Games Industry with a full day of programs. High tech talent and resources, such as the national labs, tech-related businesses and existing tech savvy workforce, have also been beneficial to the growth of the new media industry in New Mexico. 

The Entertainment Software Association cites a recent study that shows the industry as one of the fastest growing in the U.S.  It is projected that it will support over a quarter of a million American jobs this year.  The average salary for direct employees is $92,300, resulting in total national compensation of $2.2 billion. States that promote the industry, such as Louisiana, where Electronic Arts (EA) is opening a global test center, have seen huge growth to that sector of their economy. 


Game Production Services (GPS) is a New Mexico-based developer of serious games and immersive mixed-reality environments for education, training, and marketing.  GPS produces computer-based serious games for individual and group learning, as well as compelling immersive environments combining physical and virtual elements. For more information, visit their website at www.gameprodsvcs.com/.