One of the latest game firms landing in metro Montréal is VMC Game Labs, a leading games testing and support services firm. VMC occupies 15,000 sq. ft. (1,400 sq. m.) and plans to hire 165 people to work in a historic building full of technology and multimedia companies.

U.K.- based Babel Media put its North American headquarters in Montréal in 2005, citing the city's cosmopolitan character as a chief attraction.

VMC, which has several lab facilities across North America, Europe and Asia, is a global launch partner for the Xbox platforms and is licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment America to test for the PlayStation platforms.
   "VMC chose Montréal because it has an up- and- coming entertainment and video games community," says spokeswoman Michelle Bowman. "It is a metropolitan area with an abundance of highly motivated and skilled talent in the video games industry. Specifically, we're looking to attract people who are interested in a career in games testing, and with a centralized and growing community of gamers, this was the perfect place. In addition, VMC is looking to near- shore options that provide convenience of near- shore locations, in the same time zone to coordinate projects with our U.S.- based teams."
   U.K.- based firm Babel Media, an outsourcing specialist in the games industry, opened its North American headquarters in Montréal last year. The company expects to eventually employ 200 at its Montréal facility. Algy Williams, Babel Media's managing director, describes Montréal as one of the world's best and most vibrant games clusters in the world. He says the city's cosmopolitan population was another factor in Babel's location decision.
   Paris- based artificial intelligence software developer Kynogon announced in July that it would establish a North American base with an office in Montréal to house technical support, sales and marketing operations. Jacques Gaubill, COO and Kynogon co- founder, will relocate to Canada to head the new operation. Gaubill cites Montréal's multiculturalism as a big attraction.
   "Montréal boasts a significant cluster of game studios and competitive advantages for companies that serve the video game industry, Gaubill says.
   Montréal is also home to some of the biggest names in the business. Electronic Arts (EA) opened a game development studio in 2004 and employs nearly 200 with plans to expand over the next few years. EA spokeswoman Tammy Schacter says the joie de vivre factor thrives in Montréal.
   "Montréal is a very special place," Schacter says. "It has a dynamic population who is very technologically savvy, but also has an understanding of entertainment and fun. The city also has a phenomenal talent pool and building a successful studio hinges on people."
   The largest games firm in Québec is Ubisoft, which employs 1,500 in Montréal and another 100 in Québec City. The company plans to boost employment to 2,000 by 2009.
   Faucher, who says games industry employment has nearly quadrupled to 4,000 in the province over the last three years, believes the pace will continue.
   "We've heard rumors of six more companies that might move to Québec before the end of the year," he says.