[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6373549,"mediaKeyId","2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5","parentId",2145791,"title","Council holds hearing on PHL gaming task force report as Commerce pledges follow-up study","audioSeconds",2856,"startMs",74000,"endMs",2930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5&start=74&end=2930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5/thumbnail_74000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373549/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Council-holds-hearing-on-PHL-gaming-task-force-report-as-Commerce-pledges-follow-up-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373549-660b8c8a3c707ac7935f468721d221f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164348&Signature=Y2Sc~xm9L2J-mlk9CvqiWnbJUg4HB5hzFgPwmVnzlQgY7yZq-JyvOQfMXrHaeVC82g9ZpUSe4Z7rbbhX3LJol1j-id6lg9M7tNEIVc~07ne3AUJCRYxJT8eCMOLEqtlRxuXu1jLI-iDEJMmZUjo9sJM1YsDsDAgllqM4jKwAq5q7uKrUkmDuwoadEeDo4kkAEwSszDj2R~~a1N44K0yVUGM0pxIlvbZm9hLLtFjynRDVH81gkm753RuBr-AHs0RgUS~pRycUdA~3J4IDirsDW9YEygC-CT0wthnxNcr3~Pgswr~aWqXMWt22ecK-cf-8BsEN1EQxt7VeSFZ8k3WicA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Philadelphia City Council","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Legislative Oversight held a public hearing on Jan. 22 to review the findings of the PHL gaming task force and discuss opportunities to grow the city’s game‑development and esports sectors.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, chair of the committee, framed the session as an effort to add “gaming” to Philadelphia’s economic brand alongside existing clusters in health, education and hospitality. “We want Philadelphia to be a gaming city,” Thomas said as he opened the hearing on Resolution 240983, which authorizes the committee to receive the task force report and review its findings.

Tempest Carter, director of Strategic Tech Initiatives in the Commerce Department, told the committee the city has seen growth in local studios, esports organizations and events and that the department is commissioning a city economic study and a separate incentive study to outline policy options. “Philadelphia is currently under investing in this space,” Carter said. She cited partnerships with local institutions and programs and noted Commerce’s role connecting startups to capital readiness programs and accelerators; she also confirmed the administration will publish an incentives study in the coming weeks.

Industry witnesses described the economic scale they believe is at stake and urged municipal support. Nicodemus Manidu, CEO and co‑founder of Jump Button Studio and a member of the PHL gaming task force, said the industry already outpaces film and music combined and argued Philadelphia could capture substantial economic activity with sustained city support. “Philadelphia is positioned to be a premier destination for gaming careers and economic growth within this decade,” Manidu said.

Committee members and witnesses repeatedly raised a menu of city roles: grant programs for indie developers, tax credits or retention incentives, partnerships with libraries and universities to create workspace and training, and targeted promotion of the PHL gaming conference scheduled for September 2025. Carter and other administration representatives said they are open to exploring incentives beyond traditional tax credits, including grants and public‑private collaboration, and highlighted an existing Quality Jobs program that offers $5,000 per qualifying new job.

The hearing produced no formal votes. Councilmembers and witnesses asked the administration to continue the dialogue and return with actionable proposals; staff said further panels and follow‑up work are planned. The committee recessed at the call of the chair with direction to carry the conversation forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Legislative Oversight 1-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Legislative Oversight held a public hearing on Jan. 22 to review the PHL gaming task force report and options to expand the city’s games and esports economy.","taxTitle","Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County , Pennsylvania","taxId",80615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373535,"Esports operators and community groups pitch venues, library spaces and education partnerships as workforce pipeline",1427,3360000,4787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5&start=3360&end=4787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5/thumbnail_3360000.jpg","/articles/6373535/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Esports-operators-and-community-groups-pitch-venues-library-spaces-and-education-partnerships-as-workforce-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373535-3a8d0481e7bea18220406d0c6cf9a99a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164348&Signature=n2KAUQXGSvTii-CsZ5EgUR5uqEWw9t50KRP42fV1zKu64VgWornXFXFaQlDqT4h-T3zJIiSzSz3dVlv5v9BNHomx9VrHx11CYg0JN-l0IY6gLSq49lt2Nma7G7mtrIYPqbUpLFVQe2Q7OF~RaZq40MI-1tN-C6hC65nKxAoAkA9iZa9nnLU7maJ6maTGfUV2mPX-VhompOTs05WRMGu38E32nL3a1uMbZ1pQRQ0BMwG2UBfchbI0z30eQhQpJa1NJwGVtp-JqHH1ayUpJHwJUypN9wvPR5DFL2cRh4nvpcppTPqF2c5L2jiRUZZJZGrgMaNDXMKn7d63wsavhOobcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Operators of esports venues and community education groups told the committee that facilities, school partnerships and library spaces can serve as career and training pathways for Philadelphia residents.

Ishmael Hall, head of venues for Nerd Street/Local Host, described local locations and partnerships built to support competitive esports and community access. He said local venues provide equipment and production training and cited research he presented showing improved school attendance and grades among students who participate in esports programs. “Esports is a valuable education and career development tool,” Hall told the committee, and he recommended aligning venue programs with academic supports.

Witnesses pointed to existing local sites that host students and community hours near Temple and Drexel; Nerd Street’s Philadelphia property at 401 N. Broad was described as offering free student hours, weekend usage and tournament events that draw regional visitors. Eric Kinenbro of Mindset of Champions and other community operators emphasized using esports programming as a K–12 pipeline to teach technical and professional skills and to provide safe after‑school space.

Councilmembers suggested working with the Library Foundation and the city’s library system to pilot gaming spaces that support learning and development, and Commerce staff said they would explore collaborations. The committee did not adopt any new programs during the hearing but directed follow‑up conversations on partnerships and pilot ideas.","Representatives from Nerd Street/Local Host, community programs and civic nonprofits told Council that esports venues and library partnerships can support youth engagement, academic outcomes and career pathways. Witnesses cited attendance and academic metrics for school esports programs and described venue usage near Drexel and Temple.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373540,"Local studios push for tax credits, creative grants and a city-backed publisher to keep game jobs in Philadelphia",846,3554000,4400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5&start=3554&end=4400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5/thumbnail_3554000.jpg","/articles/6373540/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Local-studios-push-for-tax-credits-creative-grants-and-a-city-backed-publisher-to-keep-game-jobs-in-Philadelphia","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373540-43ea7da22cd49410f898c077566ee315/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164348&Signature=nhbKFiOISpzVFAF3Wsvs8rByXZImtZLExzUoIKGAvxU4iMjKTpdfu-p4nb5mFloTYP~B7x5siRhcWcaUQZ6O4TJ3M4W9UGAeuxRXAVwDnlXrRyRw6xFXbsCAj1j1PFgkI9MBTv69XisP0Eq2qwh23lk-7zw5gTdcQ2qbec3ePe4lP5f0KUxAHdwOAjMp0V11mo2BOI7BEUSy6r30awgNCVgb7esIBkM-RoMcjiAZEQM8CwzM8SWLSVGgGurcA9iYyJFbUm63F-wYfIqtskNKxiM-6yc4Y2tOnrma8y6dsGZUjhXBR7RyrVdY4KApcRUlLrixrZKs2xUtmZ4VKmIzeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Local game‑studio founders and advocates urged City Council to adopt targeted financial supports to help retain and grow Philadelphia’s game industry.

Nick Madonna, founder of PHL Collective, presented a four‑part package to the committee on Jan. 22: establish job‑creation and job‑retention tax credits; introduce a Philadelphia video game production tax credit requiring at least 30% of production expenses be spent locally and offering an additional 10% credit for productions that display a “Philly makes games” logo; abolish the Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) to reduce a financial barrier for small creative firms; and launch a city creative grant program to help indie developers finish and market games. “Establishing job creation and job retention tax credits will incentivize studios to hire and retain local talent,” Madonna told the committee.

Public commenters and other witnesses recommended smaller seed grants and a city publishing or funding vehicle to underwrite early development. Corey Arnold, who has led community programs and incubators in the city, cited a recommendation in the task force report proposing a city office to serve as a publisher and distribute graded seed funding, and suggested $50,000–$300,000 seed grants could get many studios to market. Tom Sharp, director of Gossamer Games, proposed commissioning games about Philadelphia — a route he said could simultaneously generate marketing for the city and paid project work for local developers.

Witnesses and councilmembers acknowledged tradeoffs and the need to coordinate with the administration on fiscal feasibility. Commerce Department officials said they are studying incentives and are open to alternatives beyond a straight tax credit, including grant programs and partnership models. No legislative action was taken at the hearing; councilmembers asked staff and advocates to refine cost estimates and implementation models for subsequent hearings.","Founders and local developers told City Council that targeted incentives — including job creation/retention tax credits, a production tax credit, and a municipal grant or publishing vehicle — would help studios scale and keep talent in the city. PHL Collective proposed several specific tax credit designs and a city creative grant program.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6373545,"Drexel professors and IGDA warn of 'brain drain' in Philadelphia's game industry",558,2825000,3383000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5&start=2825&end=3383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145791-8108dc8b6b691b3d8ffc0235a5a0fbb5/thumbnail_2825000.jpg","/articles/6373545/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Drexel-professors-and-IGDA-warn-of-brain-drain-in-Philadelphias-game-industry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373545-8a22d7f59d3462187884e46a51dbbbad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164348&Signature=A1tyFs8YkCAs6KsyeIPSRehquz9Te86adiTuEQMyZuAPm0J8ioOiKC0Ay~5yjUTMD3aN2WzGbsQRL0Qmre84aywowJk7ZMTtfCgDhHRxeldFDDWjSDHZBS5k8X6xHNPx24lu1uEfYvOKgpjGhMPeKJ-jZl-Ox~au673d4VLZKDXRzFFv2Fc9KL9o6QDcMyjlovH7s63KGLVc~oQAKPeFqBJIzPRTpm51UHSpj~9Z8hwUUFGlCjcBSN6ND2vEPRG9uAI~0dmlRHsqzm3sjll0O9U6J7uV9MR47AuaRPamPt9PIEudc12aiakBcmT8ti6nR-aX0yn~ZUPorWC3p1Ldfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Faculty from Drexel University and the Philadelphia chapter of the International Game Developers Association told a City Council hearing on Jan. 22 that the city’s colleges are producing talent but local industry capacity is insufficient to absorb graduates.

“Over half of them leave the state of Pennsylvania upon graduation and you heard the and the report has the larger number of 60% leave the city of Philadelphia,” Rob Lloyd, a Drexel professor and program director for Drexel’s Game Design and Production program, told the committee. Lloyd said Drexel’s game program currently enrolls about 200 majors and will graduate roughly 40 game majors this year; he described a long history of student teams producing commercial titles but noted only a small fraction of student‑launched studios survive past graduation.

Adrian Sandoval, adjunct professor at Drexel and chair of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Game Developers Association, said the community lacks visibility and sustainable funding. “A lot of promising studios with successful first time game launches [have] to close their doors a couple of years later,” Sandoval said. He and Lloyd urged the council to open arts‑funding channels to game projects, build more local contract relationships to keep studios working between original titles, and invest in awareness initiatives so Philadelphia is better represented at industry events.

Both witnesses pointed to existing local education and incubator capacity — Drexel’s on‑campus entrepreneurial game studio has helped launch student teams — but said sustained city support, grants and stronger business‑to‑business pipelines are needed to convert training into long‑term local jobs.

Councilmembers asked about entry‑level roles, pay ranges and how students progress into higher‑paid positions; Lloyd described a wide pay range for entry positions, from quality‑assurance roles at roughly the mid‑$20,000s up to junior programmers who can earn $80,000–$100,000 depending on skill and language fluency. Witnesses also flagged visa constraints affecting international students and urged targeted supports.","Faculty from Drexel University and representatives of the International Game Developers Association told City Council that many graduates leave the city for jobs elsewhere and asked for city support to create more local paid opportunities, contract pipelines and arts‑funding access for game projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council holds hearing on PHL gaming task force report as Commerce pledges follow-up study

Esports operators and community groups pitch venues, library spaces and education partnerships as workforce pipeline

Local studios push for tax credits, creative grants and a city-backed publisher to keep game jobs in Philadelphia

Drexel professors and IGDA warn of 'brain drain' in Philadelphia's game industry