NCsoft Expands European Operations

Officials from NCsoft Europe, subsidiary of the South Korean massively multiplayer online (MMO) game publisher, have announced that the company is to expand its offices in Brighton, England, following a major investment from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). NCsoft has made use of SEEDA’s Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant system to facilitate the expansion of its current Brighton offices and support a move to the new CityPoint development in Brighton, in two years time. The offices have already expanded from just three people in September 2004 to a current total of 112 staff. A total of 116 new high skilled jobs are expected to be created at the European headquarters by 2010. The exact size of the grant has not been made clear although the money will also be used to diversify the company’s output further, presumably involving the creation of titles aimed specifically at the European market. Geoff Heath, NCsoft Europe’s CEO, commented: “Brighton is a lively and growing hub for the creative and software sector. Our expansion will stimulate local competition and the exchange of best practice in the region. SEEDA’s support of our investment will help grow the business and keep us and Brighton at the forefront of our industry, both nationally and internationally. We’ll also be in a position to recruit and further develop the very best talent available.” Jeff Alexander, executive director of SEEDA’s global competitiveness division added: “NCsoft has attracted national and global attention since its arrival in Brighton. The company is a magnet for highly skilled jobs – this is vital to Brighton and to the region and helps the South-east achieve the goals of the Regional Economic Strategy.”