A digital games company has chosen Malta to develop a family oriented digital game aimed at children, that will be launched in the US.

The makers hope the game will unite children and families worldwide since it will be a massively multiplayer online game, which can be accessed by thousands of users.

The company, TRC Family Entertainment Ltd, is investing $6 million in Malta and relocating its intellectual property, which costs a further $18 million, here.

The company is based at the Domestica Complex in Valley Road, Birkirkara."

Malta's key attractions were the local talent pool and support by Malta Enterprise, which is taking on a 15 per cent shareholding of the company. Other areas which had been considered were San Francisco, London and Canada, CEO Paul Taylor said.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said this investment is a signal to the global digital games industry sending the message that Malta is a good location for the development of digital games and is serious in its efforts to increase talent and skill.

He said that Malta Enterprise will also be supporting the company with on the job training and bursaries.

The company currently has a workforce of nine people, which should go up to 20 by the end of the year and 100 within two years. Many of the employees will be Maltese.

The company has also attracted many industry heavyweights including the former CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Chris Deering, who the government has appointed Malta's special envoy for digital games. He will be promoting Malta as an investment destination in this field.