Talent, not just tax breaks, drawing devs to Canada
by Justin McElroy 
{ Nov 20th 2009 at 6:00PM }
"We knew that Ubisoft establishing a significant footprint in Ontario would in itself would help tell the story of what's available," Pupatello told Develop. "Why would Ubisoft come unless they knew that they were going to get absolutely the best talent?"
Uh, free health care and the staggering availability of Tim Hortons?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rhamsey @ Nov 20th 2009 6:04PM
I love Robin.
Really Long Witty Name [Stuff Nobody Really Cares About] @ Nov 26th 2009 1:16AM
I love doogie howser!
HIMYM is awesome.
TiLoBrown @ Nov 20th 2009 6:38PM
How can you not love Robin Sparkles?
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] ATDFs Financier and Batman @ Nov 20th 2009 6:47PM
I agree completely
TrojanGuy @ Nov 20th 2009 7:03PM
She can have dual citizenship with me any time.
Brysonial the Bison @ Nov 20th 2009 7:58PM
Wait are we talking about robins donuts or am i really confused?
Ashitaka @ Nov 20th 2009 8:01PM
Let's go to the mall! Let's go to the mah-ah-all!
Obi-Habby @ Nov 20th 2009 8:09PM
Sand castles in the sand.
Mr Mobius - the wandering artist @ Nov 20th 2009 8:41PM
They need to release a Robin Sparkles album, or at least put those 2 songs on itunes for charity.
They also now have the Bro Code in written form. The sacred scriptures of Barney have been put in written form.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bro-Code-Barney-Stinson/dp/1847399304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258767624&sr=8-1
PirateEmery @ Nov 20th 2009 9:28PM
I second that notion to release Robin Sparkles' singles onto iTunes.
The Bro Code now recognizes the motion and will put it to a vote.
under13warrior @ Nov 20th 2009 6:05PM
OMG that is the best photoshop ever!
Joe @ Nov 20th 2009 11:37PM
I VERY much agree.
Then a White Kid Said @ Nov 20th 2009 6:06PM
Lol i wondered what that image was all aboot buddy.
Huey2k2 @ Nov 20th 2009 6:07PM
Canadian health care is not free, we pay hefty taxes for it.
It really annoys me when people call our health care system free.
hdcase @ Nov 20th 2009 6:10PM
Freedom costs a buck oh five
Cheezeman3000 @ Nov 20th 2009 6:32PM
Isn't it also true that elderly Canadians have to put themselves on a knee-replacement waiting list 10 years in advance just in case they happen to have a knee injury? Yeah, free healthcare is AWESOME. /sarcasm
RiccochetJ @ Nov 20th 2009 6:44PM
Uh oh,
It looks like Cheezeman has been watching Fox News again.
Space @ Nov 20th 2009 7:11PM
A friend of mine was 22 when he was in between jobs, had no insurance... and was diagnosed with cancer. the only reason he isn't $250,000 dollars in debt or dead is because the surgeon was a saint, and did it for free.
When I was living in New Zealand I had a friend there that was born in ireland. anyway he found out he had a tumor behind his lungs that was growing. To get it removed in NZ it would have cost him NZ$12,000(US$7,000) because he was not a citizen. I thought to myself, holy shit! that's a deal! He flew home to ireland and had it done for free. Yeah he might be taxed like crazy but his country is there for him when the shit hits the fan. this guy also went to college for free. I think to myself if that was me, I could either pay in NZ on a credit card or fly to america and have it done for for like $250,000.
America's system is great if you have money and aren't in need. but some times life takes a shit on you when you don't have the money.
Huey2k2 @ Nov 20th 2009 7:28PM
@ Space
That's all well and good but some people spend their entire life paying that much money in taxes towards it and seeing absolutely no benefit from it.
Am I saying the American system is better? Nope. But I would disagree that our system is the best also. Both systems have their benefits and for people who do have the money/job to have good coverage universal health care is not as amazing as it seems.
I personally don't like the idea of paying money my entire life towards a system I will probably almost never use.
Phylogenetics @ Nov 20th 2009 7:39PM
Actually, Huey, the tax differences aren't quite that staggaring. On average Canadians shell out 35% in taxes, while Americans give out 30%. The Canadian system moreso than the American tax system also targets the higher earners. Chances are you're paying almost as much as an American in taxes.
RiccochetJ @ Nov 20th 2009 7:43PM
Huey,
I can understand the frustration in that, but having lived in both countries for quite some time, I can honestly say I would prefer a more universal system compared to what I experience here in the US.
I realized this when my company told us that they were reducing their matching 401k option to compensate for the fact that the insurance company drastically raised their rates for all us because one person in the entire company got cancer.
Billy_TaeBo_Blanks @ Nov 20th 2009 8:59PM
I love how when someone points out a flaw in 'free' healthcare systems (all of which, around the world, incur massive tax burdens, provide poorer service than in the US, and are going bankrupt) out comes that idiotic Fox News line. Guess we should all be watching MSNBC and CNN so we can be called 'racists' and 'teabaggers' for not wanting the US government to destroy what remains of our health system and burden us with debt for the forseeable future.
When even NPR is telling you Obamacare is a waste of money, it's time to drop the stupidity, educate yourself, and abandon the Democrat party.
RiccochetJ @ Nov 20th 2009 9:41PM
Ha! You're funny!
Fox has Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. MSNBC has Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow,j.. None of whom I can stand. The national TV news (if you can call it that) here in the US has become so sensationalistic it rivals the National Enquirer for journalistic integrity. But you know what the sad part is? These shows get better ratings when they do this shit instead of real unbiased news reporting.
The problem I have right now with the US health care system is that there are 'for profit' insurance and pharmaceutical companies that are publicly traded. I don't like the fact that they are more concerned with pleasing their shareholders than giving people proper health care.
I also believe that health care should be a universal right for everyone in this world, and not just those (or their companies) that can afford it.
If there's a way to do that without government intervention, I'm all for it. But right now what's pissing me off is seeing these companies spend millions of dollars on advertising against health care reform when that money could have gone to someone that they've turned away.
Dreaded Fear @ Nov 20th 2009 10:55PM
We pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot of services in return.
Billy_TaeBo_Blanks @ Nov 21st 2009 6:09AM
"I don't like the fact that they are more concerned with pleasing their shareholders than giving people proper health care."
Wow, ignorant much? Health care/insurance companies are NOWHERE NEAR the top of the list of 'most profitable' companies. Even NPR admitted on their "This American Life" show that insurance companies are by no means 'evil'. They're generally very well-run businesses. You just believe what a bunch of opportunistic politicians tell you so they can get more control and thus more kickbacks.
Food is a for-profit business. Housing is a for-profit business. This is the nature of a society based on free market capitalism. The fact that someone will make a living by giving you health care is not a bad thing - it worked for thousands of years. The only reason it started falling apart was because the government started getting involved, passing idiotic restrictions and regulations on insurance companies and health care providers (such as the restriction where you can't even shop out of state for insurance) and subsidizing vast entitlement programs.
"I also believe that health care should be a universal right for everyone in this world"
Aw, what a morally superior position you occupy! And how easy that is when you don't have to justify it, fund it, or explain it. Maybe you could explain how you can rationalize creating a servant class (if health care is a 'right' then the people that provide it become your servants). Or maybe you can explain how to pay for it, since every version of socialized medicine is nothing more than a pyramid scheme of grander scale than the one Madoff was busted for (look to Canada, Europe, Japan, and so on).
The fact is that free markets provide the best quality and lowest cost of ANYTHING. I believe we should go with the solution that best provides high quality, low cost health care to the greatest number - and history has shown the best solution to be free markets. Try learning something about economics, rather than speaking with your eyes closed and hand on heart about how everything is a 'universal right'.
"We pay a lot of taxes, but we get a lot of services in return."
We pay way less taxes, and we get better healthcare than you - even with the government actively working to destroy our healthcare system. Or at least we did, before Chairman Obamao ascended to the holy throne and the party that ranted for 8 years about 'fiscal responsibility' rushed through plans to spend 10 trillion dollars in a single year.
This is why it's so hilarious when people like you folks rant about "ignorant Fox News watchers". You are so dreadfully uninformed, so naive, that it should embarrass you. Go watch some more Olbermann and Maddow, get your fresh talking points.
hdcase @ Nov 20th 2009 6:10PM
Ugh one of the most embarrassing House episodes ever.
ysdarkfact @ Nov 20th 2009 6:24PM
The Canucks suck.
Delsaber @ Nov 20th 2009 6:34PM
Speaking as a Canucks fan, we're usually content just to suck less than the Leafs.
Inect @ Nov 20th 2009 7:12PM
@Delsaber
That's not to hard this year is it?
Toronto's game last night almost made be cry.
Phylogenetics @ Nov 20th 2009 7:35PM
Sometimes I think the Leafs are only around to make the rest of us feel better.
Brysonial the Bison @ Nov 20th 2009 7:55PM
@Delsaber
Trust me thats not very hard..... not very hard at all
Delsaber @ Nov 21st 2009 3:37AM
Aim high! That's what I say. Snrk.
Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Nov 20th 2009 6:24PM
I'm a Computer Tech, and we have a lot of software from companies in Canada (I'm not sure why...). Anyway, I'll deal with different people from different companies, and their tech support people are always super nice. So based solely on that, I like Canadians.
It's definitely a stereotype that I have. (We've got better bacon down here, though.)
Huey2k2 @ Nov 20th 2009 7:30PM
Better bacon? You do realise that we Canadians have access to regular bacon as well as pemeal bacon (the stuff you guys call Canadian bacon) right?
Kinsey @ Nov 21st 2009 5:29AM
MMmmm I could go for some maple smoked bacon right about now.
(p.s. I hate the fact that Canadian bacon is called 'bacon', its bloody ham everyone!)
Delsaber @ Nov 20th 2009 6:25PM
Am I crazy or was that a Three Panel Soul reference?
Ravnos @ Nov 21st 2009 4:34PM
No, it's a reference to a really stupid commercial that Three Panel Soul also made fun of.
Mr Mobius - the wandering artist @ Nov 20th 2009 6:36PM
Legen - wait for it - and I hope you aren't lactose intolerant because it is - dary photoshop.
Cobie Smulders is amazing hot. The one thing Joystiq could have done to add to this post would have been remind people of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF1b1pf9DRY
TrojanGuy @ Nov 20th 2009 7:05PM
Lets go to...the mall!
Matt @ Nov 20th 2009 6:55PM
Should that not be 'nurturing', instead of 'nuturing'?
chris @ Nov 20th 2009 7:05PM
To be fair, Ubisoft is already in Quebec - which has the same health care as the rest of us canuckleheads. What I suspect Pupatello is referring to is: why Ubisoft would come to Ontario as well - which goes further to explaining the the whole nurturing talent and culture.
Feoremar @ Nov 20th 2009 8:01PM
Exactly what I was about to point out. Ubisoft had come to Montreal a long while ago, and thanks to their offices here the world now has the Price of Persia: Sands of Time trilogy, the new Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell and most of their sequels, Assassin's Creed, etc. They already had a presence in Canada, and decided to spread a little further to widen their pool of creativity.
AtomicPlayboy @ Nov 20th 2009 7:12PM
Now we know who will be playing Dead Space Girl in the live action movie.
chris @ Nov 20th 2009 7:17PM
To all of you who are Canada envious, or bashing Canada in your posts:
1) Yes, our health care is awesome - no, I've never had to wait for anything, least of all anything life-threatening (several cases for myself actually). What you're hearing is scare mongering and it's damn well better than having to pay exorbitant fees to a hospital for something that "needs to be done".
2) No, we don't like Celine Dion either.
3) Our bacon is just called "bacon", and it comes in strips. This "Canadian bacon" you speak of is fried ham.
4) Yes, our beer is awesome, and our microbreweries are even more awesome.
5) Canadians are smart, even though our beer is clearly superior, and we drink a lot of it.
6) We are not "used to the cold" - stop suggesting that. We hate the cold as much as everyone else - our health care is just "that good" ;).
7) We actually like the States. Personally, I love Arizona, Oregon, California, Texas, the history of the original "colonies", the American Revolution, and the American national anthem, among others. Some Canadians are just a little vocal about your policies... (me, on occasion)
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 20th 2009 7:37PM
You think Canada has a rough stereotype? Try explaining how Arizona isn't a desert with wild Indians and gunfights in the streets. ;)
Any time I tell how some areas get hundreds of inches of snow, people don't believe me.
Ashitaka @ Nov 20th 2009 8:10PM
You forgot to say that you are afraid of the dark xD
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] ATDFs Financier and Batman @ Nov 20th 2009 8:44PM
pssht 6 is bullshit, i live in the middle of New York state and we're used to the cold. California relatives come up here and need a jacket in summer
JXCgunrunna @ Nov 21st 2009 3:16AM
You think NY is bad, try living in Ohio. Or in any of the area's under the Great Lakes. It is called the Lake Effect and it sucks. It is probably like living on the sea line in Canada. Constant dumping of cool precipitation.
Mostly Harmless @ Nov 21st 2009 7:02PM
8) Our military doesn't suck (Though it isn't the biggest focus of our country's budget...) and isn't in any way laughable. Even though it's not that big, throughout history we've kicked ass, including yours. So don't be disrespectin'. We won't do it again, because we're buddies now, but don't forget the past.
Jawmuncher (PSN & XBL:Jawmuncher) @ Nov 20th 2009 7:26PM
And yet we have had only 2 dinosaur games this gen
(Jurassic the Hunted and Turok)
Man when are the dinosaurs gonna get a bit of love in terms of games.