H.B. Studios Multimedia Limited Excels on Innovation Driving Range
News release
Video game company gearing up for development, online promotion and digital sale of The Golf Club 2019
Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for St. Margarets – South Shore, visited H.B. Studios Multimedia Limited in Lunenburg for a site tour where she was invited to play the company’s golf simulation game. Trevor Green, Art Lead (Digital Scanning) demonstrated the labor-intensive process required to make characters in the game appear as realistic as possible.
March 16, 2018 – Lunenburg, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Helping Atlantic Canadian businesses succeed in technology-driven global markets is key to generating income, spurring growth and strengthening the middle class and those seeking to join it. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting H.B. Studios Multimedia Limited's efforts to develop, self-publish and launch a third generation golf simulation game so it can increase competitiveness and meet growing expectations from its international customer base.
Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margarets, announced a repayable investment of $500,000 on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The contribution is being made through ACOA’s Business Development Program, which supports small and medium-sized companies’ innovations to improve competiveness in export markets.
The assistance will help support H. B. Studios’ strategy to retain the bulk of its revenues from the direct sale of its new video game. This is part of the company’s long-term sustainability plan that focuses on maintaining 72 highly skilled, technologically advanced employees in rural Nova Scotia. An additional $1,000,000 was provided by Export Development Canada.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy. The strategy supports strategic investments in initiatives that build on the region’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, and skilled labour to expand business activities between the region and international markets.
Quotes
“In order to grow a strong and sustainable economy in Atlantic Canada we must focus on encouraging small and medium-sized businesses to innovate. This will translate into an environment that fosters growth and creativity, helps create and maintain well-paying, technically advanced jobs and continues to expand international export markets. I applaud H.B. Studios Multimedia Limited for placing a spotlight on the video gaming industry in Nova Scotia.
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Our government is committed to creating sustainable growth, economic opportunity and prosperity in communities across Canada. Today’s investment will allow H.B. Studios to continue making a significant contribution to the regional economy by empowering it to capitalize on its proven track record of innovation in the gaming industry and on its ability to compete successfully in global markets.”
- Bernadette Jordan, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margarets
“When considering this deal, we looked at the past successes of HB Studios, its potential for continued growth, and also the fact that it is an important employer in a rural Nova Scotia town. Our mandate is to help Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities, and HB Studios is exactly the kind of company EDC was designed to help.”
- Edward Steeves, Regional Vice President, Atlantic Region, Export Development Canada
“HB Studios is a video game developer competing in the global market place for international customers and up against stiff competition worldwide. This funding allows us to further invest in our technology and intellectual property to ensure we remain at the forefront of development as well as publish content directly to the customer ourselves, thus retaining all of the value chain for full creative control and a better return on investment.”
- Alan Bunker, CEO, H.B. Studios Multimedia Ltd.
Quick facts
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H.B. Studios was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Small and Medium Employers in 2017.
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H.B. Studios will build and develop The Golf Club 2019 on the Unity platform, which reaches 770 million gamers throughout the world.
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With the release of The Golf Cub VR for the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift in February, 2017, H.B. Studios has shipped 49 titles, selling more than 27 million units and has contributed to 19 others.
Associated links
Contacts
Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
Simon Forsyth
Export Development Canada
613-598-3852
E-mail: siforsyth@edc.ca
H.B. Studios Multimedia Ltd.
E-mail: media@hb-studios.com
E-mail: biz-dev@hb-studios.com