Casual games provider Big Fish Games is expanding its cloud gaming research and development initiative at its Cork operations, which will create 30 highly skilled jobs in the process.
Big Fish’s cloud gaming service will run the firm’s gaming catalogue in the cloud, allowing people to access its games on multiple devices and platforms.
The company plans to expand its cloud gaming research initiative, meaning it will recruit 30 software engineers for its Cork-based RD&I centre.
“Much like Netflix changed the way we view movies today, allowing film entertainment to be accessed on over 800 devices, Big Fish’s cloud gaming service will transform the marketplace for premium casual entertainment by bringing our millions of mainstream customers that much closer to the thousands of wonderful games created by our in-house studios and game development partners,” said Jeremy Lewis, Big Fish Games’ CEO.
“As the trusted leader in premium casual entertainment, Big Fish will be delighting consumers anywhere, anytime, on the platform of their choice,” he said.
The games company, which has more than 2,500 titles and 1.5bn downloads, will also be a major contributor to the Games Ireland Gathering, where company representatives will discuss its upcoming opportunities and technologies.
The growth of cloud computing and gaming
“As part of the Government’s plan to address the employment crisis, we are determined to build on the sectors of strength we have built up over recent years, as well as selecting new sectors where Ireland can become a world leader,” said Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
“Over the past 20 years, we have build up a base of multinational companies in the IT sector which is the envy of many other countries; however, now we must target those areas where the growth of the future is going to spring, such as cloud computing and digital gaming,” he said.
The development is being supported by IDA Ireland. Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, said he was “delighted” that Big Fish Games had chosen Ireland as the location in which it will conduct this research.
“Ireland’s competencies in areas such as cloud computing and software engineering, together with its vibrant digital media portfolio, make it a perfect fit with innovative companies in this space,” said O’Leary.
“There are now more than 1,500 people employed in the computer games industry in Ireland, and today’s announcement reinforces Ireland’s reputation as a leading location for digital media companies.
“Furthermore, the investment establishes Cork as a leading RD&I Centre of Excellence in cloud computing,” he said.
