CCP Games Announces Georgia Expansion
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International gaming developer to relocate North American headquarters, create 150 jobs 2/24/11 Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that CCP Games, the Reykjavik, Iceland-based digital entertainment developer, will relocate its CCP North America headquarters from Gwinnett County to the City of Decatur in DeKalb County. This move is expected to create 150 new jobs over three years, bringing the company's U.S. staff total to 300 by 2013, while retaining its existing workforce. “For digital entertainment companies, Georgia brings to bear
a competitive set of resources for this industry that makes our
state a strategic home for game developers such as CCP,” said
Deal. “It is also encouraging to see an existing Georgia company
expand and take full advantage of our state’s progressive
business atmosphere, and enhance its commitment to our state.” CCP Games is a leader in the multiplayer video gaming
industry. The company is the creator of EVE Online, a science
fiction-based multiplayer online game, which was introduced in
2003. Two additional projects, World of Darkness and DUST 514,
are currently in development. Through this expansion, CCP North
America will support the needs of its growing company and suite
of products. “Decatur offers the perfect blend of big city accessibility
with a hometown feel that we were looking for,” said Mike Tinney,
President of CCP North America. “Georgia’s financial climate
combined with Decatur’s social climate provide the ideal
conditions for continued growth.” The company will locate in a 40,000-square-foot facility at
250 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur. “I am pleased to welcome CCP to DeKalb County’s growing
cluster of creative industry companies,” said DeKalb County CEO
Burrell Ellis. “DeKalb is home to a dynamic young workforce,
educated at institutions such as Emory University and the Art
Institute of Atlanta. CCP’s decision to locate in DeKalb will
create highly paid jobs for both young graduates and more
experienced workers in the fast-growing gaming industry.” Interactive entertainment companies in Georgia benefit from
the state’s comprehensive technology infrastructure and highly
skilled workforce. This makes Georgia a competitive location for
media industries such as video game development, animation and
digital entertainment. More than 75 digital entertainment
companies have Georgia locations, which are fed by a pipeline of
talent matriculating from more than 15 Georgia colleges and
universities offering industry-related courses. “CCP Games had a list of qualities they wanted in a new
business location — a strong sense of safety, easy access to
MARTA and a high quality of life that would be attractive to new
employees — and we met all of them. A business environment that
supports creative businesses and had a wide variety of
restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance of
their office were also high on their list,” said Decatur Mayor
Bill Floyd. “Decatur fit their needs and CCP fits our vision for
our downtown business community. We welcome them to our city and
look forward to their participation in our creative, actively
engaged community life.” Georgia Department of Economic Development project manager Glen Whitley assisted the company with this relocation, in collaboration with the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber. |
