EA Games operations centre to create 200 jobs
The company, Electronic Arts, says it wants the centre for its “BioWare” studio. It is looking for a site in Galway city and has begun the process to recruit staff.
EA Games says the facility, which it says will be up and running by 2011, will provide BioWare with greater proximity to European players.
“Galway gives us the right mix of solid technology infrastructure and international recruitment opportunities as we continue to focus on bringing the highest quality gaming experiences to market,” said Dr Ray Muzyka, senior vice-president of EA and group manager of BioWare. “The new Irish location for BioWare will help us get closer to our fans in Europe.”
Welcoming the announcement, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: “EA is the global leader in interactive entertainment and a very important addition to the thriving games industry in Ireland.
“To get them here, into Galway, with prospects for growth being quite good, is excellent,” he said.
IDA chief Barry O’Leary said: “EA joins a vibrant digital media sector and is a key endorsement of the skills and expertise available here for this sector.”
Applications for jobs in the facility are already being accepted. Those interested should visit www.bioware.com/bioware_info/jobs
Founded in 1982, EA develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the internet.
It is based in Redwood, California, and has operations in Sweden, Germany, Romania and Spain.
This year the company posted net revenue of $3.7 billion (€3bn) and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units.
