Million-pound boost drives NCSoft UK expansion

NCSoft is set to expand its Brighton office thanks to a cash injection of nearly a million pounds from the South East England Development Agency.

The online game developer, which currently employs 112 staff, will be using the £950,000 grant to create 116 new jobs by 2010 and facilitate a move to Brighton’s new CityPoint development in two years time.

In July, we revealed that the company was ramping up development of new games in the UK.

Geoff Heath, NCsoft’s CEO said: “Brighton is a lively and growing hub for the creative and software sector. Our expansion will stimulate local competition and the exchange of best practice in the region.

“SEEDA’s support of our investment will help grow the business and keep us and Brighton at the forefront of our industry, both nationally and internationally. We’ll also be in a position to recruit and further develop the very best talent available.”

Jeff Alexander, executive director of SEEDA’s Global Competitiveness division added: “NCsoft has attracted national and global attention since its arrival in Brighton. The company is a magnet for highly skilled jobs – this is vital to Brighton and to the region, and helps the South East achieve the goals of the regional economic strategy.

“The news is good for NCsoft and for Brighton and underlines SEEDA’s commitment to attracting highly skilled creative employees with computer and language skills to the South East.”