Why Game Developers Are Betting on Atlanta
Atlanta’s video game industry has quietly built one of the Southeast's most dynamic tech sectors. With over 200 studios operating across Georgia, many clustered in and around Atlanta, the region is gaining national attention as a serious destination for game developers. This growth isn’t coincidental. It results from policy, persistence, and a culture supporting creative risk and business resilience.
In the 1990s, Atlanta experienced a surge in game development, particularly among indie and hobbyist creators. But after the dot-com bubble and post-9/11 recession, the scene nearly collapsed. “By the early 2000s, only two game studios were left in Georgia,” said Andrew Greenberg, executive director of the Georgia Game Developers Association (GGDA). It took several years and a significant policy shift to bring it back.
The Tax Credit That Changed Everything
The shift came in 2005, when Georgia passed a film tax credit including video game development. For studios like Roswell-based Tripwire Interactive, this made Georgia one of the least risky, most cost-effective places to set up shop. “We chose Georgia because it had the lowest overhead and great airport access,” said Tripwire co-founder Alan Wilson, “and the tax credits came later.” As the credits rolled, the studio helped set a precedent: it released Red Orchestra on Valve Software’s Steam in 2006, marking the second non-Valve game released on the platform.
From there, the industry experienced rapid growth. Georgia's studios increased from five in the mid-2000s to over 200 by the 2020s. Hi-Rez Studios and Blue Mammoth Games, among others, have found both creative and commercial success. Some, like Blue Mammoth, were eventually acquired by major publishers, such as Ubisoft. It proved Atlanta could incubate world-class talent and intellectual property.
Atlanta’s Edge in Game Development
Atlanta’s appeal isn’t just about cost but also infrastructure, talent, and access.
Affordability: Office space is more affordable than in coastal tech cities, which is particularly beneficial for indie teams and startups.
Connectivity: Hartsfield-Jackson makes it easy for studios to attend global events or hire talent across time zones.
Education: Institutions such as Georgia Tech, SCAD, and Kennesaw State contribute to a growing local talent pipeline. Still, Greenberg noted a challenge: “Schools want professors with PhDs, but that often means less real-world experience.” That’s where industry partnerships and mentorship programs step in.
Remote work: “Recruiting was hard before,” Wilson said. “Now, remote work has made it easier to bring in experienced developers without needing them to relocate.”
Creative culture: Atlanta’s broader digital and music scenes bleed into gaming. The city’s diverse population and experimental energy give developers a competitive edge in storytelling and world-building.
A City Built for Indie Growth & Esports
Unlike some hubs that cater primarily to AAA studios (major publishers), Atlanta has a robust support structure for independent developers and startups. Organizations like the GGDA and the Georgia Center of Innovation (COI) actively connect small teams with mentors, tax credit guidance, and exposure opportunities, like sending them to Gamescom in Germany.
“We want to grow not just the big players,” said Asante Bradford of COI, “but also the ecosystem around them—sound engineers, streamers, community managers.” That includes helping early-stage developers, growing esports-adjacent businesses, and increasing visibility for Georgia-made games.
The Game Tech Hub, co-founded by Greenberg and Christopher Klaus, aims to go even further, accelerating new tools and platforms built in-state to power the next generation of games.
Esports is part of Atlanta’s gaming identity, but it’s just one piece. The city hosts major events like DreamHack and the League of Legends World Championship semifinals, and it is home to teams like Atlanta FaZe and Atlanta Reign. However, these spectacles are made possible by the foundational strength of Atlanta’s game development sector.
Read the full Tech Square ATL feature: Atlanta’s Rise as a Global Esports Capital here.
Looking Ahead
One looming constraint is the state’s tax incentive cap. The credit cap is $12.5 million annually, with no more than $1.5 million allowed per company. “It’s a shot in the arm,” says Greenberg. Compared to film, which has no cap in Georgia, the game sector operates with limited fuel.
More infrastructure is also needed, especially dedicated game development spaces and training centers. “If we can build a soccer training center for the U.S. team, we can build one for esports and game design,” said Bradford.
Atlanta doesn’t have San Francisco's legacy studios or LA's Hollywood-adjacency. Its underdog and unconventional position are precisely what makes it interesting. The city is writing its own playbook.