Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) - Video Game Projects

The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) - Video Game Projects, is administered by the Texas Film Commission, a division within the Governor’s Office of the State of Texas. The program is designed to stimulate economic development by encouraging video game production activity within the state. By offering a cash grant based on a percentage of qualified in-state expenditures, the program aims to attract developers, support local workforce growth, and strengthen Texas-based production infrastructure. The initiative reflects the state’s broader strategy to position itself as a competitive hub for digital media production, including video games. The primary purpose of the program is to incentivize video game developers to conduct a substantial portion of their production activities in Texas. Eligible projects may receive a reimbursement grant of up to 31 percent of qualified Texas spending. To qualify, projects must meet specific thresholds, including a minimum of $100,000 in eligible in-state expenditures, completion of at least 60 percent of production activities within Texas, and employment of a workforce in which at least 35 percent are Texas residents. These requirements ensure that awarded funds directly contribute to the state’s economy through job creation and local investment. Eligible expenditures include wages and per diems paid to Texas residents for work performed within the state, along with associated payroll taxes and benefits. Additional allowable costs include payments to Texas-based vendors for goods and services directly tied to production, travel using Texas-based airlines, vehicle rentals within the state, and legal or music-related services provided by Texas residents or businesses. However, certain restrictions apply: pre-production and research costs are capped at 30 percent of total Texas spending, and compensation per worker is capped at $1 million. Ineligible costs include payments to non-Texas residents, marketing expenses, and general business overhead unrelated to production. The application process requires prospective applicants to first submit an Incentive Inquiry Form to obtain access to the full application. A complete application package must include a detailed budget of Texas expenditures and a comprehensive content document outlining the game’s type, platform, narrative elements, characters, and environments. Applications must be submitted no earlier than 180 days before production begins and no later than five business days prior to the first day of production. Projects that have already begun production are not eligible to apply, and late submissions are not accepted. Following submission, the Texas Film Commission evaluates applications based on compliance with eligibility requirements and broader economic impact criteria. These include the financial viability of the applicant, anticipated job creation, utilization of Texas production infrastructure, and the project’s potential to promote Texas as a destination. Additional considerations include whether key leadership roles are held by Texas residents. Approved applicants must confirm their production start date within five business days and maintain compliance with residency verification and reporting requirements throughout production. After production concludes, applicants must submit detailed documentation within 60 days to verify eligible expenditures. This includes financial records, payroll documentation, residency forms, and a final version of the project demonstrating inclusion of the Texas Film Commission logo. The review process culminates in a compliance audit by the Governor’s Office, after which funds are disbursed if all requirements are satisfied. The program operates on a rolling basis tied to production schedules rather than fixed deadlines, making it accessible year-round for qualifying projects.

Ensure strong Texas economic impact including local hiring and spending prioritize Texas vendors and workforce and provide detailed accurate budget documentation