Greater Montréal home to first Chinese video game subsidiary - Game Hollywood sets up North American headquarters in Greater Montréal

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Game Hollywood, a world-leading video game developer and distributor, announced the opening of its subsidiary, Proficient City Limited, in Greater Montréal. The announcement was made by Xitou Lee, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Game Hollywood, during a trade mission to China led by the Honourable Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, and attended by representatives of Montréal International.

The China-based company, which currently employs over 250 people in six countries, is known for its internationally acclaimed releases such as Wartune, a game that already has over 10 million registered players. In 2014 they began publishing mobile games, and have most recently released DDTank Mobile in North America, Europe, and Asia. 

"Greater Montréal is recognized worldwide for its video game industry, creativity and potential for technological innovation. Game Hollywood is proud to become a part of such a competitive ecosystem and be able to provide strategic support to all Québec, Canadian and North American video game developers that want to promote their products in Asia and the global marketplace," said Mr. Lee. "Opening a North American head office in Greater Montréal will also strengthen the business ties between China and Canada, while supporting the global video game and virtual reality industry," he added.

Greater Montréal's video game industry has grown by an average of 22% a year over the past 10 years and currently accounts for some 10,000 jobs, up from 1,200, positioning the region among the world's top five digital entertainment hubs. This summer, Greater Montréal also hosted the 2015 edition of the Electronic Sports World Cup, one of the biggest events of its kind in the world.

"The video game industry is a key pillar of Greater Montréal's economy and helps showcase the region's talent, creativity and know-how," said Mr. Coderre. "The arrival of Game Hollywood in Montréal will enhance the region's brand image in the video game and virtual reality market, while helping us strengthen our business ties with the world's second largest economy," he added.

Montréal International, Greater Montréal's investment promotion agency, supported the company every step of the way. "Game Hollywood's decision to invest in the region helps cement Greater Montréal's position as a creative and welcoming business city for Asian investors," explained Louis Arseneault, Vice President – Talent Attraction, Promotion and Communications, Montréal International. "That's why it is key that we tap into the huge Chinese market by promoting everything Greater Montréal has to offer, including its pool of skilled workers, world-class universities, creativity and potential for innovation," he added.

Greater Montréal ranks 5^th in the world among video game development hotbeds, behind only Tokyo, London, San Francisco and Austin. At home, the region leads the industry with close to 40% of all studios in the country, propelling Canada into 3^rd place among the world's leading industry hubs, behind the United States and United Kingdom.

ABOUT GAME HOLLYWOOD
Game Hollywood is a world-leading video game developer and distributor. The company, which employs over 250 people in six countries, has an office in China to support Southeast Asian operations and an office in Spain for Europe. In 2013 and 2014, Game Hollywood was recognized by the Chinese government as the "No. 1 revenue-generating overseas web-game publisher" and received Facebook's Staff Favorite award for its popular game, Wartune. Game Hollywood also encourages innovation in virtual and augmented reality technology, while supporting developers who want to promote their games around the world.

ABOUT MONTRÉAL INTERNATIONAL (montrealinternational.com)
Montréal International (MI) acts as an economic driver for Greater Montréal to attract foreign wealth while accelerating the success of its partners and clients. Its role is to attract foreign investment, international organizations and skilled workers to Greater Montréal, and promote the region's competitive environment. MI also works to find the best ways to position the region as an attractive investment destination, and make recommendations to various levels of government to support Québec's job-creating, high-value-added industries.

Created in 1996, Montréal International is a non-profit organization funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

SOURCE Montréal International

Céline Clément, Public Relations Director, Montréal International, 514-987-9317, [email protected]; Matt Ariss (english), Game Hollywood, [email protected]; Daniel Su (chinese), Game Hollywood, [email protected]