Québec video game industry will be impacted by controversial language law Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Québec video game industry will be impacted by controversial language law French will be default language for all industries. News by Ed Nightingale News reporter Published on 30 Jun 2022 37 comments Video game companies in Québec will be impacted by a new controversial language law. The aim of Bill 96 is to strengthen the French-speaking province's language laws, ensuring French is the main language spoken in everything from business to healthcare. However, it's feared this will drive away non-French speakers from Québec's considerable video game industry. Watch on YouTube Eurogamer Newscast: What can Sony do to improve PlayStation Plus Premium? A number of major developers are situated in Québec, including Ubisoft (Immortals Fenyx Rising), Warner Bros. Games (Gotham Knights), Behaviour (Dead by Daylight), Gameloft (the Asphalt series), and Eidos Montreal (Guardians of the Galaxy). Over 11,000 people are employed in the Québec video game industry, which generates almost $1.75bn revenue for the province each year, according to Québec's Industry Ministry. An anonymous source speaking to CBC said many games industry workers are now looking to leave Québec. "You already see it, with some people who are looking at Bill 96 and saying: 'OK, it's time for me to pack up and leave,'" he said. As English is the default language for much of the gaming industry, he said having to learn French would drive potential workers away from Québec. "I just don't see Québec companies being able to attract talent if that's what they have to [contend with]," he said. Christopher Chancey, the chairman of the board of the Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, responded that the organisation supports French being the default language in Québec's gaming industry. "But we have a lot of people coming from everywhere around the world to make video games here in Québec," he said. "Our fear is that this is sending out a message [that Québec is] not inclusive to other cultures. "I think everyone understands the importance of the French language ... I think it's just a question of making sure that [newcomers] feel included as well." The newly formed Office for the Protection of the French language told CBC: "All sectors must contribute to the effort to ensure the sustainability of our official and common language." The French government recently banned the official use of anglicised gaming terms, something the Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec assisted with. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store