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Rapport Annuel 2019 Entertainment

The 2019 annual report of the Canadian Entertainment Software Association (ALD) outlines the organization’s role as the principal advocate for Canada’s video‑game sector, emphasizing a strategic focus on member‑first principles, regulatory advocacy, and public perception. Central to its thesis is the conviction that a coordinated, policy‑friendly environment and heightened visibility of the industry’s economic contribution will sustain long‑term growth. Key findings highlight a robust domestic market, with more than 23 million Canadians identified as regular gamers through a 2018 NPD Group survey that captured demographic, console usage and purchasing patterns. The “Jeux vidéo sur la Colline” event drew a record 250 participants, including 25 federal legislators, and featured leading publishers such as Ubisoft, Nintendo, EA and Xbox, underscoring the sector’s political engagement. ALD’s lobbying efforts included testimonies before multiple parliamentary committees and direct dialogue with Minister Navdeep Bains, reinforcing support for tax‑credit frameworks and innovation policies. Internationally, the association participated in the Global Video Game Associations Summit in Santa Monica, addressing issues like loot‑box regulation and the WHO’s inclusion of gaming disorder in ICD‑11. Operational highlights for 2019 include the appointment of a new director of policy and a director of communications, a targeted media campaign that secured coverage in four major Canadian newspapers, and the launch of bilingual parental‑control tutorials in partnership with console manufacturers. Membership remained stable while two prominent publishers, Codename Entertainment and Kabam, joined the association, reflecting continued expansion of the member base. Overall, the report demonstrates ALD’s comprehensive advocacy, research, and outreach activities aimed at strengthening Canada’s video‑game ecosystem during the fiscal year.

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ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of CanadaJan 2019

Annual Report 2019 Entertainment

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) positioned its 2019 annual report as a strategic overview of the organization’s role as the national voice for the Canadian video‑game sector, emphasizing a “members‑first” agenda built on six pillars that include regulatory advocacy, tax‑credit preservation, policy engagement, parental‑control promotion, membership growth and public awareness. During the fiscal year, ESAC facilitated a record‑breaking “Video Games on the Hill” event that attracted more than 250 participants, including 25 Members of Parliament, and showcased titles from major publishers such as Ubisoft, Nintendo, EA and Xbox. The association also testified before three parliamentary committees and a provincial commission, reinforcing its stance against heightened regulation while urging favourable economic policies. Internationally, ESAC contributed to the International Video Game Associations Summit in Santa Monica, where representatives from ESA, IGEA, UKIE and other bodies debated loot‑box regulation, e‑sports, WHO’s ICD‑11 gaming‑disorder classification and privacy legislation. Research remains a cornerstone of ESAC’s advocacy. Partnering with the NPD Group, the association confirmed that over 23 million Canadians regularly play video games, a finding leveraged in a nationwide media campaign and in positive coverage across four major newspapers. Public‑relations efforts addressed contentious issues surrounding loot boxes and the ICD‑11 classification, while a bilingual parental‑control video series was launched with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to guide families. Membership stability persisted, with the addition of Codename Entertainment and Kabam as new Canadian publishers, and a continued focus on recruiting independent studios and distributors. The report underscores ESAC’s commitment to shaping policy, enhancing industry visibility and supporting the growth of Canada’s vibrant video‑game ecosystem.

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ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of CanadaJan 2019

Canada's Video Game Industry in 2013: Final Report

**Canada’s Video Game Industry in 2013 – Final Report (Summary)** --- ### 1. Industry Perception of Tax Credits - **Overall valuation:** Canadian video‑game tax credits received an **average rating of 4.4 / 5**, indicating that firms consider them a highly valuable policy tool. - **Key benefits identified:** - **Project opportunities:** Highest impact score (**4.0 / 5**). - **Employee retention, revenue growth, and industry visibility** also scored strongly, reflecting that tax incentives help companies keep talent, expand sales, and raise the sector’s profile. - **Cost‑effectiveness:** Respondents reported that the **administrative burden is low relative to the financial value** they obtain from the credits. - **Growth outlook:** The survey revealed a **very optimistic near‑term outlook**: **40 % of firms expect revenue growth of more than 25 %** in the coming year, underscoring confidence that the tax environment is a catalyst for expansion. --- ### 2. Economic‑Impact Analysis | **Component** | **Methodology** | **Key Findings** | |---------------|----------------|------------------| | **Direct impacts** | • Calculated from reported industry revenues and wages.<br>• Applied an **operating‑surplus‑to‑labour‑income ratio of 15.17 %** (derived from the broader software‑publishing sector) to estimate profits and value‑added. | • Direct employment, labour income, and GDP contributions were quantified based on actual firm‑level data. | | **Indirect impacts** | • Integrated the survey data with **Statistics Canada Input‑Output (I‑O) tables**.<br>• Modeled supply‑chain spillovers, capturing purchases from other Canadian industries and adjusting for **import leakages** (goods/services sourced abroad). | • Showed how video‑game firms stimulate activity in supporting sectors (e.g., hardware, professional services, marketing). | | **Induced impacts** | • Used a **custom multiplier** built on Canada’s **marginal propensity to consume (MPC)** and **marginal propensity to import (MPI)**.<br>• Estimated household re‑spending of earnings generated in the direct and indirect stages. | • Quantified the additional employment, income, and GDP generated when workers and suppliers spend their wages locally. | **Overall economic contribution (direct + indirect + induced):** - The combined effect demonstrates that the video‑game sector’s footprint extends well beyond the firms themselves, creating **significant ancillary jobs and income** throughout the Canadian economy. - The methodology ensures that **import leakages are subtracted**, providing a realistic picture of net domestic impact. --- ### 3. Implications 1. **Policy Validation** – The high satisfaction scores and strong growth expectations confirm that the tax‑credit regime is achieving its intended objectives: fostering project development, retaining talent, and boosting sector visibility. 2. **Economic Multiplier Effect** – The I‑O‑based analysis shows that every dollar of direct video‑game revenue generates additional economic activity across multiple industries, reinforcing the argument for continued or expanded fiscal support. 3. **Strategic Recommendations** (derived from the findings): - **Maintain or enhance tax‑credit levels** to sustain the momentum in project creation and revenue growth. - **Streamline administrative processes** further to keep the cost‑benefit ratio favorable.

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ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of CanadaJul 2013