Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced today that CCP Games, the Reykjavik, Iceland-based digital entertainment developer, will relocate its CCP North America headquarters from Gwinnett County to the City of Decatur in DeKalb County. This move is expected to create 150 new jobs over three years, bringing the company’s U.S. staff total to 300 by 2013.
"For digital entertainment companies, Georgia brings to bear a competitive set of resources for this industry that makes our state a strategic home for game developers like CCP," said Governor Deal. "It is also encouraging to see an existing Georgia company expand and take full advantage of our state’s progressive business atmosphere, and enhance its commitment to Georgia."
CCP Games is an industry leader in the massively multiplayer gaming sector. The company is the creator of EVE Online, a science fiction-based massively multiplayer online game, which was published in 2003. Two additional projects, World of Darkness and DUST 514, are currently in development. Through this expansion, CCP North America will support the needs of its growing company and suite of products.
"Decatur offers the perfect blend of big city accessibility with a hometown feel that we were looking for," said Mike Tinney, President of CCP North America. "Georgia’s financial climate combined with Decatur’s social climate provide the ideal conditions for continued growth."
The company will locate in a 40,000-square-foot facility at 250 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur.
"I am pleased to welcome CCP to DeKalb County’s growing cluster of creative industry companies," said DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. "DeKalb is home to a dynamic young workforce, educated at institutions like Emory University and the Art Institute of Atlanta. CCP’s decision to locate in DeKalb will create highly paid jobs for both young graduates and more experienced workers in the fast growing gaming industry."
Interactive entertainment companies in Georgia benefit from the state’s comprehensive technology infrastructure that makes Georgia a competitive location for media industries such as video game development, animation and digital entertainment. More than 75 digital entertainment companies have Georgia locations, supported by the state’s highly-skilled workforce for technology fields. The industry in Georgia is fed by a pipeline of talent matriculating from more than 15 Georgia colleges and universities that offer full industry-related curriculum or video game development courses.
"CCP Games had a list of qualities they wanted in a new business location and we met all of them. They wanted a strong sense of safety, easy access to MARTA and a high quality of life that would be attractive to new employees. A business environment that supports creative businesses and had a wide variety of pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance of their office were also high on their list," said Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. "Decatur fit their needs and CCP fits our vision for our downtown business community. We welcome them to our city and look forward to their participation in our creative, actively engaged community life."
Georgia Department of Economic Development project manager Glen Whitley assisted the company with this relocation, in collaboration with the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.