Helping You Find Gameful Employment

From: Indoctrimat
Published: Mon Nov 14 2005


Dundee, November 14th. New offices, a new office manager, a roster of almost 500 contracting staff and agreements with many of the world's leading developers and publishers are just a few of the announcements coming from Game Ops, as the company celebrates its third anniversary.


The widespread adoption of out-sourcing and increasing popularity of 'in-sourcing' within the videogames industry has provided the agency with an enormous boost in the past several months and driven a period of rapid expansion for the company.


New, dedicated office space in Dundee has been complemented with the appointment of Susan Walker as full-time Office Manager. Game Ops has also announced its roster of contractors has increased to almost 500, covering every skill set required within the games industry from coding and art through to production, audio, quality assurance, marketing and management.


In 2005, Game Ops has expanded its client list to include many of the world's biggest videogames publishers and leading game development studios, including, for the first time several companies working in the Asia Pacific region. Many of the games currently in the charts and due for release before Christmas 2005 have had input from Game Ops contractors during their development.


Game Ops is increasingly being recognised within the videogames sector as a reliable, efficient and cost-effective source of contractors, allowing developers and publishers to find all of the required skills and positions from a single source, with standardised contracts and complete flexibility on the duration of each contractor.


Ivan Davies, Senior Producer for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, says, "Game Ops have consistently delivered for SCEE and have always been able to supply the right resource at the right time. Reliable and trusted sums them up!"


Game Ops' understanding of the industry, personal knowledge of each contractor and ability to match specific individuals and key skills to each position is at the heart of the company's success.


David Amor of UK development studios Relentless Software, agrees. "We're continually impressed with the calibre of people Game Ops offer and the flexibility they afford us has been a great help to our business," he says.


Steph Woods, the Operations Director of Game Ops, says, "The demand for contractors has grown enormously over the past three years. It's now very much an accepted part of the videogames industry. We are finding more and more developers and publishers who are building out-sourced staff into their project plans from the very outset. However, it can often be difficult to find the right people. In an industry where milestones and deadlines are crucial, it's important that the staff who come in on a contracted basis have the required skills and can be effective from day one. Game Ops prides itself on providing this very high level of service and ensuring that each contract and each contractor are selected with the greatest care to provide the best possible fit. We'd like to thank all of our clients and contractors for making 2005 our best year yet."


In 2006 Game Ops is planning further expansion, giving the company increased resources and allowing growth on a global level.
ENDS


Notes To Editors:


Quotes from Game Ops Contractors:


Carleen Houbart - Freelance Artist:

"12 months ago I was ready to leave the games industry. Disillusioned, with companies all around me hitting the wall, I couldn’t see a future. I accepted a short term contract with Game Ops to give me some time to think, but it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I was able to concentrate on my work without the hassles of company politics and problems and so I have been contracting ever since. The variety of work is great and I have renewed enthusiasm for the industry. Unlike some agencies, Game Ops offer support and assistance throughout the contract and whether you are working in-house or from home, they are always there to offer friendly advice and encouragement. Contracting with Game Ops was the best decision I ever made."


Robin Butler - Freelance Animator.

"Game Ops are perfect for the longer term contracts that freelancers often find difficult to land. The feedback they provide on the job and the professional service makes freelancing a pleasure again. Highly recommended!"


About Game Ops
Founded in 2002 by Jim Woods, a veteran of the game development industry. Game Ops provides a real alternative to the existing recruitment methods used by the industry and provide a means for game developers and publishers to find the talent and resources they needed as and when they are required.

Game Ops very quickly established a reputation for expertise and excellence within the industry and as a result has grown very rapidly. Steph Woods joined the company in August 2003 as Operations Director. 2005 has seen the company grow rapidly, with new office space and a dedicated office manager employed to allow the company to continue its global expansion.

Game Ops has worked with many of the leading developers and publishers across the UK, Europe and North America. Clients have included Codemasters, Climax, Atari, Empire Interactive, Juice, Zoo Digital, Amuze, Kayak Interactive, Six By Nine, Creative Assembly, DC-Studios, Visual Science, Vis, Atomic Planet, Eidos, Exient, THQ, Take 2 and Mind's Eye.

Game Ops has almost 500 contractors signed up, covering all disciplines within the games industry. After a number of requests, the company has started offering full time staff and is now working with a number of complete development teams to offer their services to clients in both the development and publishing areas.

Game Ops also works closely with all of the universities in Scotland to support graduates entering the games industry and provide development studios with a ready source of high calibre talent.


Contact:
Steph Woods
Operations Director
M: +44 (0) 1382 731909
E: steph.woods@gameops.co.uk


Media
Brian Baglow
Indoctrimat PR
M: +44 (0) 7747 792247
E: brian@indoctrimat.com
Company: Indoctrimat
Contact Name: Lorraine Baglow
Contact Email: lorraine@indoctrimat.com
Contact Phone: 07747867225

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