New jobs created at the Digital Hub

20-04-2007

by Maxim Kelly

A Japanese gaming firm is set to begin trading in virtual potatoes at the Digital Hub in Dublin.

Tokyo-based Gala Inc is establishing its European HQ at the former Guinness Vat House complex in Dublin, with the creation of 32 new jobs over the next three years.

Gala is one of Japan's largest operators of online communities. Its users download role-playing games for free and pay for items such as costumes or weapons for their characters using the 'Gpotato' virtual currency. These necessities for online existence cost between EUR2 and EUR20, and Gala said the average purchase amongst its US users is around USD5.

These digital potato coins will be flying in and out of the Digital Hub like hot chips [groan -- Ed] as Gala Networks Europe -- the newly-created subsidiary -- will be tasked with marketing and administering Gala's online games across the European market.

Corum Online is one of Gala's best known games. It is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) where players can combine with others to form guilds, build their own dungeons, and lay siege to other guild's dungeons.

It is estimated that the European online gaming market makes up approximately 30 percent of the global market, and Gala staff will begin their new pixilated potato empire by translating online games into French and German at the new Dublin facility.

"We are delighted with our decision to locate our European HQ in Dublin," said Satoru Kikugawa, chairman and group chief executive at Gala. "Ireland has a strong internet infrastructure and a young, educated and creative population. There is a strong supply of software, localisation and technical expertise here which is essential for our potential growth and expansion in the European market."

Gala was established in 1993 and claims to be one of Japan's largest operators of online communities. In 2000 the company was listed on Nasdaq, and in 2006 it acquired several Korean game development studios.

Following a strategic review, Gala Net was established in San Jose, California in early 2006 to serve the company's US-based online game users, and has attracted "a large number" of European customers downloading its games.

"We are becoming a location of choice for the world's leading internet and digital content companies," said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin, in a statement on the new jobs. The minister also pointed out that the video games industry was a strategic target for IDA Ireland.