Derry-based game development studio Hypixel Studios is offering generous relocation packages to encourage game developers to come back home to Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland has a long history of brain drain, with highly skilled graduates leaving our education system only to find more lucrative opportunities abroad. Nowhere is this more visible than in the NI games industry, which has only really kicked off over the past 10 years or so.
Northern Ireland Screen and Derry-based studio Hypixel Studios have today announced a major initiative encouraging developers to come back home to Northern Ireland, and promoting jobs to new international candidates. Hypixel was bought by industry giant Riot Games last year and has been expanding with new roles ever since.
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The company is now running a relocation scheme for international candidates that will help applicants with work permits and visas, home searches, and support of up to £8,000 to cover relocation costs for applicants and their families. Further support is available though two additional schemes to help former residents who moved abroad for work to return.
The "Mon’ Home" scheme will provide an additional £3,000 signing-on bonus to former NI residents who want to move home to work at Hypixel Studios, in addition to the relocation cost support. A similar "Mon’ Up" scheme will support applicants relocating from Ireland to NI with a £1,500 sign-on bonus and relocation costs.
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These initiatives have been supported by local games industry body Northern Ireland Screen, and are expected to attract more international staff to come live and work in Hypixel Studios' headquaters in Derry/Londonderry city centre.
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen commented: "The video games industry is going through an exciting period of growth and development. The number of gamers across the world is expected to surpass 3Bn by 2023, with that in mind there has never been a better time to support a company like Hypixel. Together we can try to reverse the brain-drain and lure our talented expats back to Northern Ireland."
Sean McCafferty, Chief Operating Officer of Hypixel Studios commented: "All too often, local developers find themselves moving abroad to find opportunities in games. Opening our office in Derry~Londonderry lets us offer an alternative to emigration, and this relocation package is intended to provide Northern Irish developers abroad with a chance to move home."
For more information on the jobs available at Hypixel Studios, head over to their jobs page at https://hypixelstudios.com/jobs/
Source: Northern Ireland Screen
