Maltese games push to create 100 new jobs

Around 100 new video game jobs are to be created in Malta over the next two years, as the local government invests in new media business TRC Family Entertainment.

The company will create a new massively multiplayer online title for children, and is being lead by ex-Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Chris Deering and Paul Taylor, previously CEO of Jetix Media.

"The investment in this company by Malta Enterprise is a signal to the global digital games industry. It basically sends the message loud and clear that Malta is a good location for the development of digital games and is serious in its effort to increase talent and skill in this sector," commented finance minister Tonio Fenech.

The move follows the announcement last year of a digital games strategy for Malta, a recent budget that included tax incentives for highly skilled foreign talent working in the digital games sector, and a digital games fund.

With a small team already in place, TRC Family Entertainment intends to recruit around 20 staff by the end of the year. The company is investing over $6 million in Malta, while Malta Enterprise will invest in the company and have representation on the board.

Malta Enterprise will also contribute to on-the-job training and bursaries for a local training institution.