Digital Game Development

New York is a digital game development industry leader, fostering a thriving ecosystem of talent and innovation

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The growing game development industry reflects New York State’s investments in invention

New York State is top-ranked in the digital game development industry, home to top companies and to first-class academic programs and partnerships that are building the talent pipeline.

Recognized as a national industry leader, New York State is fifth in the nation for the amount the industry adds to the economy; fourth in numbers of digital game development companies; and home to five of the country’s Top 50 video game design and development undergraduate and three top graduate programs. The state has invested $20+ million in Digital Game Development at New York University (NYU), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)—to build industry innovation, collaboration through mentoring and community outreach—reflecting strategic support for industry growth. These centers have created more than 120 jobs and led to the development of 110+ games.

Internationally recognized companies like Take Two Interactive and Velan Studios got their start in New York State producing and publishing iconic games including the Grand Theft Auto franchise and Knockout City. And virtual reality is making significant strides with studios like New York City-based InkStories winning film festival awards from Sundance to Tribeca. New York also hosts some of the industry’s key events, including Games for Change.

New York State Digital Game Development Program

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New York State’s $5 billion digital game development industry is on a growth track, supported by incentives and investments in infrastructure that encourage expansion. The Digital Game Development Program, launched in 2023, provides $25 million in tax credits to NYS-based digital game development projects. The Excelsior Jobs Program offers refundable tax credits to companies in exchange for job creation and investment. And state investments in 5G — in Rochester, New York City and Buffalo — offer 50x greater responsiveness and speed for industry-related applications and technologies.

In 2026, five New York schools were ranked in The Princeton Review’s rankings of top undergraduate programs for game design: New York University; Rochester Institute of Technology; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; New York Film Academy; and Marist University. NYS is also home to three top digital game development graduate programs at New York University, RIT, and RPI. Twenty-six colleges and universities across the state offer degrees; classes in game development programming are offered through additional colleges and programs.

New York State is home to hundreds of game development companies including Take Two Interactive, WB Games, Atlantic Games, Velan Studios, Bumble Bear Games, Workinman Interactive, Wolfjaw Studios, Rushdown Studios, 1st Playable, Computer Lunch and CYBRLICH Studios.

Digital Game Development in New York State

Discover why New York State is the ideal place to launch or expand your business.

13,000+

Direct and indirect digital game development jobs

Teal Icon stats breaker funding graphic.

#4 in the U.S

In numbers of Digital Game Development companies

$168K+

Average digital gaming company employee salary

New York State's Digital Game Development Industry

New York State is driving the digital game development industry, with an unsurpassed educated workforce and resources to help game development companies of all sizes thrive.