inXile Entertainment will establish a video game development studio in New Orleans, creating 50 new direct jobs over the next five years, with an average annual salary of $75,000 plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates the project will result in 64 indirect jobs for a total of more than 110 new jobs in Louisiana’s Southeast Region.
The new facility in New Orleans will be inXile’s first expansion outside its headquarters in Newport Beach, CA. The company specializes in the development of interactive entertainment software for all popular game systems, ranging from the PlayStation 4 to iOS and Android smartphones. Game designers at inXile have created titles including Torment: Tides of Numenéra, The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland 2.
“With each new digital media investment, New Orleans is becoming a brighter beacon in the tech sector,” said Gov. Bobby Jindal. “Our strong business climate and highly skilled workforce are attracting innovative companies like inXile to our state, along with the great new jobs they’re creating. We’re confident they will find qualified professionals here in Louisiana as they provide creative, interactive entertainment to gamers around the world.”
CEO Brian Fargo founded inXile in 2002. Along with President Matthew Findley, Fargo guides the company in using cutting-edge game engines, including Unreal Engine 4 and Unity 5, as well as making in-roads in new technologies, such as virtual reality. The company employs a mix of studio veterans and new talent to collaborate on high-quality products. Building strong relationships with its core audiences, inXile uses this input to deliver high attention to detail for a memorable gaming experience.
“We are very excited to be opening inXile’s first satellite office in the state of Louisiana,” Fargo said. “The people here have an amazing energy and friendly way that can only be understood when you visit. We’re proud to be part of the first wave of companies that will help establish Louisiana as the next major high-tech center. Every year, colleges and universities in Louisiana graduate qualified candidates that would love nothing more than to work in the games industry. We are proud to be a part of a movement to keep those talented people in Louisiana.”
A longtime industry veteran, Fargo established Interplay Entertainment in 1983, which became a Top 5 PC game publisher, producing some of the biggest franchises in video game history, including Bard’s Tale, Fallout and Wasteland. Fargo continued the Wasteland legacy at inXile with the production of Wasteland 2, which was recently financed by its fans through a Kickstarter campaign.
“We are proud to welcome inXile Entertainment to New Orleans. Digital media has become a major growth industry for our local economy, and that is why we are seeing companies like inXile choose to do business here,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “I applaud our economic development agencies for their partnership in positioning New Orleans and Louisiana as one of the best places to do business in the nation.”
LED and Greater New Orleans, Inc. began discussions with inXile in June 2015. To secure the development office project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes the services of the LED FastStart® workforce development program. The company, which is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive, also will receive support from a combined $10,000 in relocation expenses from GNO Inc. and the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA).
“Following months of working with inXile leadership, GNO, Inc. is thrilled to welcome this renowned studio to our region,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans. “inXile adds significantly to the critical mass of game developers in Greater New Orleans and Louisiana, and augments our momentum as one of the fastest growing locations for knowledge jobs in the United States. We look forward to supporting inXile’s growth and success in New Orleans.”
“The decision by inXile to relocate to New Orleans further validates the city’s increasing recognition as a creative digital media mecca,” said NOLABA President and CEO Quentin Messer. “We are thrilled to welcome the inXile team, and anticipate that their success will be accelerated by this decision. Recognizing that this announcement is only the beginning, we are very excited to assist them during this important moment in the company’s history and will help integrate inXile fully into the city’s business and creative communities.”
