"Supporting the game development industry in the heartland!"
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Why Omaha?
When one thinks of the movie industry, Hollywood comes to mind. Right now, according to David Perry's game industry map, the game industry is not necessarily located in one place like a Hollywood or Nashville. However, there are obvious pockets where there is a significant concentration. The obvious front runners are the likes of the Bay Area/Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Boston, DC, Chicago and Austin. Does it have to be that way, though? The movie and music industries are located together because they all depend on a common infrastructure. The game industry doesn't rely on that sort of pipeline, however. If anything, our "common infrastructure" is in the form of the internet - which, by definition, defies the constraints of geography. In theory, a game studio can be located anywhere that the talent is. So why the insistance on certain cities and regions? It is hard to believe that every programmer, designer, artist and producer wants to live in those places. So why not offer options? Omaha, NE and the surrounding area is thriving metropolis. It's base in technical and financial companies defies the stigma of a "Nebraska farm town".
What sorts of businesses call Nebraska home?
"There is no place like Nebraska..."
While there is so much to see, do and enjoy in Omaha, it is all at a cost below the national average. A recent survey of over 300 U.S. cities reveals that the relative price levels for consumer goods and services in Omaha are 11% below the national index of 100 for six major components of grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services. Compared to typical game development "hot spots" such as the west and east coasts, the cost of living can be as little as half. What that means is that a developer, artist or producer can make the same salary in Omaha as he or she does in Silicon Valley, for example, and actually double his or her standard of living! At that point, the game industry salary surveys start to look a lot better! Interestingly, despite the low cost of living, Omaha is home to more millionaires per capita than any city in the U.S.
"If you don't like the weather in Nebraska, wait an hour."
That adage has been applied to a lot of locales across the midwest... but it applies very well to Nebraska. However, rather than being an insult or a warning, many people view it as a pleasant way of life. One week of time may give you 5 or 6 different looks. Of course, if you are used to the monotonous predictability of Southern California or Seattle, it may take some getting used to. The weather in Omaha is as varied as you will find in the U.S. The highs in the glorious summers will reach into the 90s and occasionaly get into the 100s - but without much of the opressive humidity found in the south. The winters will provide snow for those that love it, but not a 4-month-long blanket for those that abhor it. Despite the vision of barrenness that some people expect of the great plains, Omaha has its share of forests and trees. Many types of bushes and flowers are in bloom from April through October. Notice that the temperatures in the chart at right are average daily temps... neither the highs nor the lows. A good bet is to split the difference on either side of that figure. For example, April and October will usually find highs in the 60s to 70s and lows in the 40s. July will yield highs in the 90s and lows in the 60s. January will present highs in the 30s to 40s and lows in the teens or single digits.
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