Warner Brothers Games Montreal to create 100 new jobs

Premier Pauline Marois was in Montreal Friday to announce a $1.5 million grant to video game company Warner Brother Games Montreal on Oct. 4, 2013. (CTV Montreal/Jason Clarke)

Another video game company is growing with the help of public money.

The Quebec government is investing $1.5 million into Warner Brother Games Montreal to expand its studio.

The grant goes toward a five-year $63 million project that should create 100 jobs and allow the company to buy new equipment.

The jobs will pay roughly $70,000 a year to employees who are an average of 30 years old.

The grant is part of government efforts to pump money into the video game industry in Montreal.

“This Warner Brothers studio here in Montreal only opened three years ago but it is growing rapidly. In five years’ time the executives here expect that this studio will be on a par with every other Warner Brothers studio,” said Martin Carrier Warner Brothers Montreal Studio Chief.

The company is expecting even larger growth.

“By the end of five years, it'll be 2018, there should be 500 people here and I think we'll be one of the best-known studios in the world,” said his colleague Martin Tremblay, President of Warner Brothers Interactive.

Premier Pauline Marois was on hand Friday for the announcement, flanked by Finance Minister Nicolas Marceau and Élaine Zakaib, minister responsible for the Quebec Economic Development Bank.

Marois said the video game industry in Montreal is one of the most important video game markets in the world, and the top market in Canada.

Founded in 2010, WB Games Montreal specializes in developing interactive video games and digital entertainment. The company, which is a subsidiary of the American company Warner Bros.. Home Entertainment, currently has 325 permanent employees.

This is the second announcement of funds for video game companies this week.

Marois announced a $400-million partnership with Ubisoft Monday, money to be spent over four years.

The funds will open up 500 jobs for new employees.