Japanese games firm to create 50 jobs in Dublin

A Japanese games developer, Gala Inc, is to create 50 extra jobs by 2010 in Dublin. The move will bring the game developer’s workforce at its European headquarters in central Dublin up to 100.

The company, which specialises in non-subscription massively multiplayer online games and is based in the Digital Hub, will create roles in management, engineering, localisation, customer support, and marketing.

Gala says it is to introduce new games and new language versions of existing titles, as well as licensing games from other development companies.

The new jobs are among 150 IDA-supported jobs announced to link with the Taoiseach’s trade mission to Japan. Also revealed today was a new research centre on the Cell, the chip used inside the PlayStation 3. The partners in the Cell project — Sony, Toshiba, and IBM – have linked up with Trinity College Dublin for the centre.

Announcing the new jobs for Gala, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: “Gala is an integral part of the thriving games industry in Ireland, and particularly in the Digital Hub in Dublin. The industry is a strategic target for IDA Ireland and we are becoming a location of choice for the world’s leading internet and digital content companies.”

Satoru Kikugawa, Gala Group CEO, said “We are delighted with the success of our operation in Ireland to date. This decision to expand our presence in Ireland is the right one to support our market growth objectives. Ireland has a strong internet infrastructure and population of young, educated and creative talent. There is a strong supply of software, localisation and technical expertise there which is essential for our further expansion into the European market-place.”