Managers of Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive gaming companies criticized the White House visa reform project. In their opinion, the new laws will make it more difficult for talented personnel to enter the United States to work in the video game industry.
The administration of President Donald Trump wants to change the procedure for issuing H-1B visas, which allow working in scientific and technical specialties. Their list includes the development of video games.
The American government wants to give priority to employment in this area to US citizens.
“There is a constant shortage of highly qualified personnel in the field of data analysis and artificial intelligence in our industry. It is often easier to find such specialists abroad,” said Craig Hagen, head of EA’s government relations division.
He was supported by Alan Lewis, Vice president of the corporate communications Department of Take-Two, who noted that the current political climate not only prevents immigrants from coming to the United States, but also makes it difficult to retain those who already work in American gaming firms.
In February 2017, the organizers of the annual conference for video game developers GDC opposed the government ban on visiting the United States for residents of a number of states, which is why developers from the Middle East could not get to the conference.
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