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Blue Goji Arcade Game Awarded State Digital Media Incentive

LANSING (WWJ) -- The Michigan Film Office announced the project, Blue Goji Mobile Arcade Game, has been approved for a digital media incentive from the state. The mobile game is a follow-up to the Blue Goji interactive boxing game developed and produced by Pixo Entertainment in Southfield.

"The digital media and video game development industry has taken root here in our state," said Margaret O'Riley, director of the Michigan Film Office. "This helps continue that industry's growth and it is a testament to our talented and creative workforce that digital media projects like the Blue Goji series are being developed in Michigan."

Blue Goji is a mobile arcade game with multiple levels that can be played interactively with exercise equipment developed by Blue Goji. The game also showcases a blast from the past retrofitting the classic arcade bundle with updated 2D and 3D interfaces.

The project received an incentive of $50,489 on $145,000 of projected in-state expenditures. Six new hires with a full time equivalent of two jobs, as well as existing employees at Pixo Entertainment, will complete the work.

"Michigan is loaded with talent in when it comes to digital media and we're thrilled to partner with the state to grow the industry here," said Sean Hurwitz, CEO of Pixo Entertainment. "The digital media incentive provides a competitive advantage for the local companies, and PIXO is utilizing it to bring more work to Michigan. We appreciate the hard work that the Michigan Film Office has invested with us and we look forward to many more successful projects together."

In Fiscal Year 2013, which ended Sept. 30, 31 projects, including five digital media projects, have been awarded a total of $36,884,950 of $139,598,412 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 1,996 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 685 jobs.

The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan's own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan. For more on the Michigan Film Office, visit: MichiganFilmOffice.org.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit www.michigan.org.

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