A group of video games developers from Quebec have formed a co-operative to support their growth. They think the co-operative model will help them pool resources while preserving their creative autonomy.
The co-op, named the Guild of Video Games Developers of Quebec, is the largest in the world, with 75 independent studios members. These studios employ 600 people with a total of CAD $18m in salaries.
The Guild’s president, Louis-Félix Cauchon, explained why they chose to set up as a co-operative: “In the past five years, the number of independent video game studies in Quebec has quadrupled. The main goal of the Guild is to give Quebec’s independent studios a strong and united voice, and ultimately support them in the creation of collective wealth.”
The Guild is operating in accordance with co-operative values and principles, which it has developed with support from a social economy centre – Chantier de l’économie sociale. Their first general assembly will take place on 17 June.
