‘Herd instinct’ to bring hundreds of more jobs

Date Published: 17-Mar-2011

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Galway City could become a major European software ‘hub’ for online gaming giants – with the potential for hundreds of new jobs to be created over the next two years.

The IDA has confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that Galway is well-placed to attract further investment in the gaming software and support sector, with a ‘herd instinct’ by multinationals making the city even more attractive.

And there have been strong indications today that ZeniMax Online Studios – which announced at least 200 jobs for Galway this week – could grow its workforce here by several hundred more jobs.

The American online gaming giant announced on Tuesday afternoon that it will create a new customer support centre in Galway – it’s understood that at least 200 jobs will be created by the company when it begins recruiting.

However, because of the ongoing exceptional performance of the gaming industry globally, it is anticipated ZeniMax will experience the ‘Blizzard’ effect (a related games company in Cork which initially announced 100 jobs, but ended up employing 600 people 18 months later), several hundred more jobs may be on the cards.

ZeniMax offers online support for online videogame players – the head of the new Galway facility was responsible for providing support for ‘World of Warcraft’, the world’s most successful role-playing game.

The announcement comes as Electronic Arts’ (EA) Bioware subsidiary finalises plans to create 200 jobs at a new facility in Galway.

IDA Regional Manager Jim Murren told the Galway City Tribune: “There is huge potential there for Galway. It is now well-placed to attract even more jobs, multinationals and investment. It’s almost like a ‘herd instinct’, that’s why we have so many more software companies in Ireland. They’re not competitors here.

“Gaming and online gaming is huge and it’s continuing to grow worldwide. The IDA has identified it as a potential source of creating significant employment, and there is absolutely no reason why Galway couldn’t be a centre for these companies.”

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.