Video game company EA adding 300 jobs in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Video game company Electronic Arts Inc. is expanding its EA Sports division and adding 300 jobs in central Texas.

Gov. Rick Perry on Monday joined company officials for the announcement in Austin. EA currently employs about 450 people in the Austin area.

Perry says the new hires will include 150 full-time workers and 150 contract employees.

The jobs will include software engineers, game designers, artists, programmers and senior technical positions.

Perry touted the video gaming industry in Texas, ranked No. 2 behind California, with $25 billion in overall annual revenue. The governor says Texas “is ready to compete for a bigger piece of that pie.”

EA Sports is the developer behind games including “Madden NFL” and “FIFA Soccer.”

The company is based in Redwood City, Calif.