MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
UK developer and publisher Codemasters is looking to boost its Midlands operations by creating 100 new jobs across the region, it has announced.
The new recruits will go toward reinforcing its Warwickshire base, as well as bolstering its Birmingham studio by 25 developers.
“The success of our recent games and our plans for the future means that Codemasters will continue to see growth as we expand our teams here in the Midlands,” said Codemasters talent acquisition manager Simon Miles.
“The skilled talent pool in Birmingham, along with the support available for developers in the area, and across the Midlands generally has created a dynamic and creative local business community. We are looking to recruit staff from the region as well as enticing some new employees into the city as well.”
The midlands has increasingly become a development hub for the games industry in recent years, with schemes such as the LAUNCH conference, the Birmingham science park offering office space for small developers, and the newly created Birmingham Ormiston Academy to train students in digital media.
The Birmingham city centre Enteprise Zone is also said to be introducing further incentives to developers to set up in the area by introducing business rates relief and “relaxed planning permission”.
“That a global name like Codemasters is expanding here demonstrates that the gaming industry is taking the Birmingham area seriously as a place to locate and grow their businesses,” said Business Birmingham investment manager Sarah Darch.
“A number of other local gaming companies are now expanding, employing new staff or attracting investment, building a real sense of excitement and momentum in the area. Indeed, during a recent visit to the West Coast of the US, a number of digital companies expressed a real interest in establishing a presence here as a first step into Europe.
“With so much happening in the city right now, I expect that a number of other games developers will follow in Codemasters footsteps and look to establish and expand their presence here.”
