Realtime Worlds benefits
Dundee-based developer now offering its staff paid overtime.
For Immediate Release:
DUNDEE, Scotland – April 7, 2009 – Realtime Worlds, the leading independent video game developer, announced today that is now offering paid overtime to its developers. This is on top of one of the most generous benefits packages in the industry which includes profit sharing, share options, flexitime, private medical insurance, life insurance, pension package, income protection, carers and emergency leave, relocation assistance, childcare voucher scheme, and discounts on personal computers and bikes.
“The games industry has long depended on getting excessive amounts of free overtime out of its developers, which in the long run just serves to drive them to another field. We want to ensure that Realtime Worlds is always very attractive - both creatively and financially - to our staff, and offering paid overtime is only fair when products of the standards we demand require more effort than is sometimes possible 9-5”, explained John Duthie, Head of HR.
Duthie adds “Whilst, like the rest of the industry, we’re lucky enough to have a number of individuals who are happy working crazy hours just for the pride in the games they’re creating, it’s gone down well being able to reward that more directly. And for those with families, knowing the overtime often required to finish games will be paid for means it’s a lot more palatable at home.”
Realtime Worlds currently has over 40 vacancies, listed at www.realtimeworlds.com
About Realtime Worlds
Founded in 2002 by CEO and Creative Director David Jones alongside gaming industry veterans Ian Hetherington and Tony Harman, Realtime Worlds is one of the largest and most successful independent game developers in the world. With an exceptionally talented staff of more than 200, its experienced teams have a tremendous history of creating some of the world's bestselling video games, including the global hit franchises 'Lemmings' and 'Grand Theft Auto'. In 2006, Realtime Worlds received a US$31 million investment commitment from New Enterprise Associates, one of the world's leading venture capital firms. This investment enabled Realtime Worlds to develop new and innovative videogame franchises and recruit top game development talent from around the world.
In an exclusive partnership with Microsoft Game Studios, Realtime Worlds launched its first title, Crackdown, on Xbox 360 in early 2007. The debut game broke records for demo downloads, sold approximately 1.4 million copies, and won multiple awards including prestigious BAFTA and Develop Industry Excellence awards.
In April 2008 Realtime Worlds announced that it has raised US$50 million in Series B funding. The renowned investment firm Maverick Capital led the new investment round with existing investor New Enterprise Associates and WPP, a world leader in marketing communications services.
Realtime Worlds is currently working on All Points Bulletin ( www.apb.com) which is a persistent, online action game with a contemporary setting that focuses on customization, competition, and fame.
For more information on Realtime Worlds, visit www.realtimeworlds.com.