US games company chooses Wales for new European HQ

A US company involved in the development of blockbuster games Call of Duty and Fortnite, is to set up its new European headquarters in Wales.

Rocket Science, which has offices in New York and Texas, will set up a new new studio in Cardiff, creating 50 skilled jobs for games industry graduates and professionals.

The move has come about as a result of a Welsh Government-led trade mission to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last year.

Rocket Science’s Welsh co-founder, Tom Daniel, who is originally from Bridgend but now based in Austin, Texas along with Brian Corrigan, connected with Creative Wales, the Welsh Government’s creative agency at the conference to discuss his company’s expansion plans.

Rocket Science will establish a presence in Wales, to mirror its existing operation in New York, with the Welsh studio positioned to support the company’s European clients.

The new studio in Cardiff will work on some of the world’s biggest and most popular video games, while also building and supporting clients to create new products.

The company will also receive support from the Welsh Government’s Economy Futures Fund (EFF).

Step-change

The Welsh Government has described this deal as “a significant step-change” for the games sector in Wales as it aims to secure a larger slice of the global games market, which is projected to grow to over $200bn by 2025.

Announcing the news, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden said: “This significant investment will support the Welsh Government’s strategic objective of developing the games industry in Wales.

“This new studio by Rocket Science has the potential to be a real game-changer for the sector, creating 50 well-paid jobs, driving economic growth and further develop Wales’ growing gaming sector, providing high quality employment opportunities for current and future generations.

“The Welsh Government is committed to working in partnership with the industries of the future to create new, high quality skilled jobs, while supporting its staff already working in these sectors to further develop their skills. Wales is a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.

“So, I urge creative businesses to get in touch with Creative Wales to find out how we can support them build a successful enterprise here in Wales.”

Tom Daniel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO from Rocket Science added: “We see Cardiff as a fantastic opportunity for Rocket Science to establish its European base and really take advantage of this fantastic city.

“For years, I have personally felt Cardiff has a huge amount of potential to offer to the global video games industry and I am over the moon that with the help of the Welsh Government and Creative Wales we have finally been to make this a reality.

“Living in the United States, but being from Wales myself, it makes me extremely proud to be opening this studio back home.

“I hope that we can play our part in enticing many more international games companies to come join us here in Cardiff in the not-too-distant future and make Cardiff the next great UK gaming hub, which I believe it can be.”