Swiss Game Design Studie 2009. - GameCulture.ch

Swiss Game Design Study 2009 83
as a hub to serve Europe ... especially with tax incentives.“
„Tax reductions.“
„Probably tax breaks!“
Steuervorteile werden für Publisher und Entwickler von verschiedener Seite vorgeschlagen.
Nach wie vor existieren aber keine grossen Studios in der Schweiz. Grosse Video Game
Unternehmen wie Electronic Arts und Take 2 haben zwar vor drei Jahren den Schritt in die
Schweiz geschafft, sie sind aber lediglich mit ihrem Administrations‐ und Publishing‐Flügel
in die Schweiz gezogen, wohl insbesondere der Steuern und des ruhigen Umfeldes wegen.
“Like a lot of American companies, we initially set up in the UK for the ease of speaking
English,” explains Tiffany Steckler, Communications Director, EA International. “Last
year [i.e. 2006], we established our new international headquarters in Geneva. We chose
Geneva for two main reasons. First, because Geneva is in the center of Europe and we felt
we needed to get a better perspective of the market around us, to get closer to
consumers. Second, from a recruiting stand­point, Geneva offered a more diverse set of
nationalities and skill­sets. We are in a very innovative business and we have to have
creative people corresponding to the way we do business.” 22
Trotz der Euphorie über den Standort Schweiz brachten die beiden Firmen leider ihre
Entwickler Studios nicht mit. Die US‐amerikanische Take 2 Interactive hat auch bereits die
Zelte wieder abgebrochen und ihr Europa Hauptquartier nach Windsor in Grossbritannien
zurückgezogen.
„Publisher Take Two expects to have the majority of its Geneva­based staff back in
Windsor by September [2008]. MCV can exclusively reveal that the experiment started by
former international boss James Ellingford is now essentially over. The giant US
publisher has had an admin base in Geneva for five years, but chose to centralise a wide
range of departments two years ago. Since Ellingford’s departure at the turn of the year,
however, current management have taken the view that this wider structure doesn’t
work – and never did.“ 23
Der Rückzug aus Genf verlief nicht so reibungslos wie angedeutet und war für viele der in
Genf beschäftigten Leute nicht unproblematisch, wie der Kommentar eines Take 2
Angestellten in den MCV Games Business News beweist:
„I don't know from which source you were informed that around 40 people are happily
moving back to the UK, as it is not the case. In Geneva around 17 people will lose their
job and only about 15 will go back to the UK. All the employees were dismissed for the
end of July [2008] and were asked to apply for the same job in UK to continue with the
22 OSEC Business Network Switzerland. OSEC Homepage. 2009.
(18.05.2009).
23 MCV The Games Business. Website MCV. 2009. (18.05.2009).
ZHDK GameLab, 31.05.2009