Biggest video game developers in BC

Business in Vancouver annual list of the Biggest video game developers in BC was publsihed today and the usual suspects are near the top.

Rankings are based on the number of staff working in British Columbia in 2009. Data was collected via interviews conducting by BIV with the firms that responded to requests for information as well as internal BIV research.

1. Electronic Arts - 1,300
2. United Front Games - 208
3. THQ Canada (Relic Entertainment) - 200
4. Radical Entertainment - 175
5. Blue Castle Games - 165
6. Propaganda Games -130
7. Slant Six Games - 120
8. Ubisoft Vancouver - 120
9. Next Level Games - 108
10. Rockstar Vancouver - 100
11. Threewave Software - 77
12. Piranha Games - 55
13. Big Park - 50
14. Koolhaus Games - 45
15. Nintendo Canada - 39
16. Hothead Games - 35
17. Deep Fried Entertainment - 30
18. IUGO Mobile Entertainment - 25
19. Magellan Interactive - 22
20. A.C.R.O.N.Y.M Games - 22
21. Smoking Gun Interactive - 21
22. Big Sandwich Games - 20
23. Klei Entertainment - 14
24. Kerberos Productions - 10

So how do these numbers compare to the previous year. Here are the most obvious changes year-over-year:

• Most layoffs: Electronic Arts cut staff from 1,770 to 1,300
• Most hires: United Front Games grew from 107 to 208

If you want to learn more, buy yourself a copy of this week's issue or find a friend with a BIV subscription and an online access code.