British Columbia has renewed its interactive digital media tax credit for another three years to 2018.

The extension will sustain local digital and video game studios like Roadhouse Interactive, Klei Entertainment and Finger Food Studios, and enabled foreign studios like Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Disney Interactive to continue working in the province.

The provincial digital tax credit, covering 17.5% of eligible salary and wages, was introduced in 2010.

The tax break was renewed by finance minister Mike de Jong during his annual budget speech on Feb. 17. In addition, the province expanded the digital animation or visual effects tax credit to include post-production work.

DigiBC, representing companies in the video game, animation, online and wireless sectors, indicates B.C. has 600 digital media companies, employing around 16,000 people and generating over $2.3 billion in annual sales.

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