Big Fish Games, a leading mobile casual game developer, plans to establish operations in New Orleans, Louisiana. The project is expected to create 500 jobs and generate $70 million in new capital investment. The company will be establishing a new office in the city's Central Business District, which will serve as a talent hub for the company's game development and publishing operations.
“Big Fish Gaming is a global leader in casual and mobile gaming, meaning we are adding another world-class company to our burgeoning video game industry in Louisiana,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “The company’s decision to locate this major facility in downtown New Orleans is a testament to our state’s growing reputation as an innovative hub for technology and digital media.”
Big Fish Games, a subsidiary of Aristocrat Technologies, has a portfolio of over 450 mobile games and has been a pioneer in the casual gaming industry. The company is known for its popular titles like "Cooking Craze" and "Toy Story Drop!".
The announcement of the new talent hub in New Orleans comes after Big Fish Games announced the closure of its Seattle office in March 2020. The company cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gaming industry as the reason for the closure.
The company is expanding to New Orleans to continue to bolster its operations and expand its presence in the United States. The city's growing technology sector and access to a talented workforce were key factors in the decision to establish the new office.
The state of Louisiana has been offering incentives to attract technology companies to the region, including tax credits and grants for job creation. Big Fish Games is expected to receive incentives through the Louisiana Economic Development's FastStart program.
The new office will be located in the heart of New Orleans, just blocks away from the historic French Quarter. The city's rich cultural heritage and vibrant music scene make it an attractive location for young professionals and creative talent.
In addition to the new talent hub in New Orleans, Big Fish Games has also been expanding its portfolio of games. The company recently released "Catch Me a Big Fish", a fishing game that tasks the player with killing the huge fish in the middle of the lake. No, not that one. “Could someone catch the gigantic fish that’s been terrorizing the lake?” the game's description reads. "It's up to you to save the day!"
Big Fish Games has a diverse portfolio of games, ranging from puzzle games like "Fishdom" and "Subnautica" to action games like "Hungry Shark World" and "Megaquarium". The company's games are available on a variety of platforms, including iOS, Android, and PC.
To stay up to date on all the latest Big Fish Games news and releases, fans can follow the company on social media or subscribe to the company's newsletter. With the expansion to New Orleans, Big Fish Games is poised to continue its growth and success in the casual gaming industry.
