It’s a good time for game developers in Ireland right now. Employment in the country’s digital gaming sector grew 90pc between 2009 and 2012, and this growth rate can be accelerated and sustained over the next three years.
That information comes courtesy of the annual Games Fleadh in Thurles, Co Tipperary, which took place in March.
The founder of the event, Philip Bourke, predicted the gaming sector could create thousands of new jobs over the next few years.
“We are creating a real opportunity here for Ireland as the proliferation of indigenous games developers is sending a strong signal to multinationals that Ireland is a cutting-edge location when it comes to games development. We are building a real pedigree in Ireland,” he said.
In the years to come, Bourke added, focus has to be on helping the smaller indigenous developers get their games published, while the indigenous sector can also help attract further foreign direct investment.
The Irish Government has also pinpointed the gaming sector as a hub for job creation. Richard Bruton, TD, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has established an industry group made up of executives from major games companies in Ireland. Their task is to direct a strategy to create 2,500 new digital games jobs by next year.
