PoweredUp Boston

Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA)

Boston, MA

Contact Name
Carole Walton
Post date
October 16, 2012
Project Dates
2005 - Present
Tags
Workforce Development
In May, 2005 the Mayor launched the CreateBoston program designed to help creative businesses/entrepreneurs to grow/succeed and is supported by a 15-member Advisory Board. CreateBoston focuses on film, music, design, digital media, visual arts/crafts and performance and provides resources in financial and site location assistance, workforce development and business advocacy; and is geared specifically toward business development and job creation. Currently, the program focuses on strengthening and growing digital media and specifically the Boston-area videogame industry.
Project Goals
What were the project goals?
The goals of the Powered Up project is to raise Boston’s profile as a global leader in the game industry; to attract new talent and companies to Boston while simultaneously expanding and retaining existing talent/companies; to connect students with digital media and specifically video game companies that are interested in hiring them and for the Powered Up Boston conference to become the third Game Developers Conference (GDC) location similar to San Francisco and Austin.
Have they changed over time?
Our goals have not changed and our partners range from schools, non-profits, game organizations/companies.
Who are the project partners and stakeholders?
people in the game industry; Powered Up Boston; Game Developers Conference, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Project Specifics
How was the project implemented? What were the steps taken?
In 2006, the CreateBoston identified digital media and specifically the videogame industry as a high growth industry and focused on strengthening/growing the industry. Armed with a $30,000 MCC grant, CreateBoston in partnership with schools, non-profits and game companies hosted the 2007 Powering Up Boston Conference on workforce development. The conference was geared toward “fact finding” understanding the issues/challenges facing the industry and an opportunity for school admin. and companies to engage in dialogue about company needs and curricula development. 265 attended.
Have they been refined over time?
The steps have not changed.
Obstacles
What were your major obstacles?
The Boston game community faces constant obstacles such as the lack of funding/affordable spaces; however, perception also plays a key role. Changing the public’s perception of Boston as not being a game friendly place was challenging. Some felt that Boston lacked the talent pool required and companies would have to recruit elsewhere. Appx. 58 companies were operating independently.
Who or what was instrumental in overcoming these obstacles?
It was important to bring them together and raise the industry/city’s profile as a thriving/friendly place for game development. PUB convened 2 conf. that focused on the local issues bringing together all the stakeholders.
What top three suggestions would you give to others attempting a similar project?
Change public perception by bringing people together; bring together people that are operating individually; raise industry's profile
Project Impact
How has this project contributed to creative community building?
It's estimated that the annual revenues from Mass videogame industry is over $2B. Videogame companies increased from 58 to over 76. The Mayor launched the Innovation District. Boston is recognized as “a center for the electronic entertainment industry.”
Why do you consider the project successful, as related to your project goals above?
Following the 2007 conference, both Northeastern U. and BU launched game design programs. More schools continue to launch game programs including Suffolk U.
Were there unexpected impacts?
Sloan School launched MIT BiG Conf. (now in its 3rd yr.). PAXEast, chose Boston as its location for the next 5 yrs. The Mayor established the 1st Boston game industry steering committee.

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