Finland Provided Its Game Industry With 10 Million Euros In Funding In 2008

Over the past few days, we've seen a panoply of stories about various governmental bodies throwing financial support behind game companies.

• Yesterday, it came out the government of Ontario plans to invest around $226 million over the next 10 years in Ubisoft's recently announced Toronto studio.

• We also found out yesterday that Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs has offered to subsidize 40 percent of the development and technology costs incurred by studios that set up shop in the country.

• Earlier today it was reported that Massachusetts Rep. John Binienda's proposed measure (H.2690) would provide tax credits to game companies that establish studios in Mass.

And now, Develop Online reports that in 2008, Finland's government, via its technology funding arm, Tekes, forked over 10 million euros (almost $14 million) to help support the country's gaming industry.

"Tekes has identified games as a strategically important research and development area and thus one of the key focus areas," said Tekes senior technology advisor Mari Isbom.

Remedy Games, developer of Max Payne and the highly anticipated Alan Wake, and Bugbear Entertainment (FlatOut ) are among the 50 game companies that call Finland home.

Considering how little the United States government invests in the arts in general, I'm not holding my breath for it to give the gaming industry the kind of support that other governments have, especially since politicians rarely miss a chance to decry the societal ravaging wrought by videogames. However, it is encouraging to see these kinds of stories, as it once again clearly demonstrates the artistic, cultural and technological significance of our beloved medium. Goooooooo videogames!

Source via GamePolitics