As Crimson Herring releases second game, founder calls for provincial tax credit

Edmonton-based Crimson Herring Studios’ release of Hunter’s Moon: A Sovereign Syndicate Adventure demonstrates continued game production following its acquisition by Calgary’s Zugalu Entertainment. The two Alberta studios employ a combined 12 full-time staff, while 84 people contributed to Hunter’s Moon. Crimson Herring’s previous game, Sovereign Syndicate, has sold more than 40,000 copies across more than 100 countries and received the first Rosie Award for Best Narrative Game. The studio’s experience also highlights a significant policy issue for Alberta developers. Founder Isaac Otway argues that the absence of a provincial interactive digital media tax credit makes financing games and maintaining employment more difficult, particularly as competition for Canada Media Fund support increases. With Alberta offering production incentives for film and television but no equivalent game-development credit, the issue affects the province’s ability to support locally owned studios, retain development jobs and compete with jurisdictions offering dedicated interactive-media incentives.