Publisher's 2K label relocating its Northridge, California testing facility to Las Vegas through partnerships with the city.
The rumor was right. Take-Two Interactive today confirmed that its 2K publishing label is planning to relocate its Northridge, California quality assurance studio to Las Vegas, Nevada. The move was made possible through partnerships with both the State of Nevada and the City of Las Vegas and is expected to be completed by early 2013.
Proposal documents that surfaced last week suggested the City of Las Vegas had offered Take-Two $600,000 in incentives to set up shop in Sin City. Take-Two did not reveal any monetary sum in its announcement today. Additionally, the earlier report stated 150 jobs would be created in the process, though Take-Two did not address this today.
According to 2K chief operating officer David Ismailer, the new facility in Las Vegas will be "significantly" larger and "more effective" than its current operation. The proposal documents state the facility will measure 24,700 square feet.
Las Vegas mayor Carolyn G. Goodman praised the move in a statement, and added that Take-Two's new outfit in the city may help attract other technology-based firms.
Las Vegas is not considered a game development hub, with Petroglyph (End of Nations, Rise of Immortals) the only major studio in the area. However, the city has hosted a number of game-related events including the inaugural Minecon, as well as the annual Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain (D.I.C.E.) summit, to be held this year at the Hard Rock Hotel February 5-8, 2013.
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
This is merely a continuation of a trend as companies leave CA for a better business climate in other states. If it means the quality of the games do not suffer, and the employees have a better quality of life, then I am all for it. Still, I'd personally rather be relocated to Austin, TX than to Las Vegas, NV...
CA is a HORRIBLE state to set up a business. The cost of living is ridiculous and we just voted to increase tax so that kids can get better education from school without any help from the parent.
2 bedroom 2 bathroom homes going for $500k! Srsly... and the job market is bleak here.
EXCELLENT business move for Take-Two! Las Vegas is far, but not that far so that they skip out on E3
Too many taxes, too many moochers in Cali. Surprised this didn't end up in Texas like everyone else.
Las Vegas is a smart decision since it has no State tax and the cost living is low enough that they can get away with having lower pay than in most other places, there's quite a few talented devs too thanks to the efforts of Zappos. Wish them well.
I'm not surprised. Voters just approved another Tax hike last night, I expect more people and companies to leave California soon.
Can't wait for this to happen. I will be there the second they start doing any hiring. Stoked.
Proposal documents suggest Grand Theft Auto parent publisher lured to Sin City after $600,000 incentive; outfit likely to be a quality assurance studio.
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