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Gaming & eSports

Orlando is known around the world as a city where people come to escape their busy lives, play games, experience virtual reality and be a child again. But unknown to many is the fact that Orlando’s playground extends beyond its theme parks and outdoor recreation options into the digital world. Fueled by the creative minds behind world-class entertainment technology, Orlando is on the verge of explosive growth in its game technology sector.

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Abigail Wagner

Associate Director, Economic Development

407.902.2442

UCF Game Design Program Ranked No. 1 in the World

Princeton Review, 2024
68-Acre Creative Village Supports a High-Tech Cluster in Downtown Orlando
No. 2 for Tech Job Growth Among Large Metros

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), 2024

Known for the companies we keep

Featured Gaming Companies in Orlando

80 percent of workers in Orlando are employed outside of the leisure and hospitality industry, and making games is serious business here.

Electronic Arts Tiburon

Electronic Arts Tiburon (EA SPORTS, EA Tiburon) is one of Electronic Arts’ Worldwide Studio facilities that produces some of the…

"Electronic Arts Tiburon believes in doing business in Orlando for two reasons – talent and teamwork. The talent and the access to the talent is crucial – it’s the lifeblood of our company. "

– Daryl Holt, Senior Vice President, EA SPORTS/General Manager, EA Tiburon (Orlando, Austin, Madrid) at Electronic Arts

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It’s a Smart world After All

Finding the best tech talent in any industry is difficult; however, the variety of programs specific to game development in Orlando directly feed the industry with indispensable talent. Orlando houses nationally ranked schools including UCF’s FIEA and Full Sail University, which are consistently ranked every year in the Princeton Review’s Top Game Design Schools.

Learn more about Orlando’s workforce

2 Top Ranked Game Design Programs

Princeton Review, 2024
2,900+ Software Developers Graduated in Orlando

Lightcast (IPEDS), 2023
No. 5 Fastest Growing Millennial Population

Among 30 Most Populous Metros
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS, 2017-2022

The theme here is Success

Orlando is anchored by a university built to help the United States win the space race, now known as the University of Central Florida (UCF). With a history in space exploration, Orlando universities have a long track record of graduating the best and brightest, high tech workforce.

http://www.daveschool.com/

The Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE) School

Located on the backlot of Universal Orlando, the DAVE school produces skilled graduates in the fields of digital entertainment and interactive media.

https://www.fullsail.edu/

Full Sail University

Full Sail’s focuses on real-world industry experience and creative problem solving, with degrees ranging from entertainment business to simulation.

https://fiea.ucf.edu/

Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA)

Ranked #1 by Princeton Review, FIEA is UCF’s Master of Science in Interactive Entertainment program.

https://www.orangetechcollege.net/

Orange Technical College

Utilizes 3D animation and game engine technology to create realistic simulations used in the modeling, simulation and training industries.

BUILD OR RENT YOUR CASTLE

Featured Properties

Orlando is a cost-effective location, whether you plan to build, buy or lease.

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Central Florida Research Park
The Central Florida Research Park is a campus-like environment for business, located adjacent to the University of Central Florida. Businesses that desire a “university relationship” can purchase land in the Research Park on which to construct a facility or can lease space for office, office/lab or light manufacturing uses.

Creative Village
Creative Village is a digital media-focused district in the heart of downtown Orlando, co-located with the University of Central Florida and Valencia College’s downtown campus.

An Ecosystem of Support

Orlando’s tech community is enthusiastic about partnership and collaboration.

Orlando Game Space

The Orlando Game Space is a one stop shop for development and creative projects. Orlando Game Space is community of digital media professionals that provides support, guidance and connections for growing companies at every level.

Indienomicon & Indie Galactic Space Jam

Indienomicon is a community that provides a streamlined platform to promote the game development industry with profiles of independent game studios Indienomicon hosts Indie Galactic Space Jam, a space themed game event in partnership with NASA and Space Florida each year.

Greater Orlando Sports Commission

The Fortress eSports Arena

The Fortress is home to esports on Full Sail University’s campus. Built to recognize and support Armada – Full Sail’s collegiate-level esports team – The Fortress is a flexible live production space, designed to host everything from friendly campus game events to full competitive collegiate tournaments.