WIREDGOV

The West Coast Group – which specialises in games and software development – outlined their expansion plans yesterday (Thursday 1 October) when their new studios in Aberystwyth were officially opened by Economy Minister Edwina Hart.

The Group  - which comprises West Coast Games and West Coast Software – delivers a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from developing new interactive games to creating software for industrial applications.

Founded in 2013 by Ken Bird, John Jones-Steele and Steve Rose to develop new, innovative games, the business has since diversified into software development.

Using the skills and technologies from developing games, West Coast has applied its expertise to create training software for Pulse Fitness Gyms, enhancing vehicle tracking systems for Machynlleth based Plant-i and worked on Cardiff University’s Seren project to help promote sustainable energy resources.

West Coast is due to launch several new games within the next twelve months and increase its workforce to 25 as they recruit nine highly skilled jobs

The company recently announced an equity investment from S4C which will support its growth, accelerate development of new products and services for the digital market and open up opportunities for developing games based on S4C titles.

Opening their new offices at Parc Merlin, Glanyrafon, the Minister spoke about the importance of the creative industries to the Welsh economy.

Mrs Hart said:

“The creative industries sector is a real success story for our economy. The number of people working in the sector in Wales has increased by 52% since 2005,  and now employs nearly 50,000 people.

“The creative digital sector specifically is a part of a fast-growing element of the Welsh economy and one the Welsh Government is actively supporting through a range of initiatives.

“The importance of the games industry was highlighted in a recent NESTA report which estimates it could be contributing as much as £1.7b to the UK  economy, with a 22% year on year growth in the number of companies in the sector.

“We have certainly witnessed this sector expanding in Wales which is home to a fast growing hub of highly creative young businesses like West Coast which is making an important contribution and creating highly skilled jobs in Mid Wales.”

CEO Ken Bird said:

“These are exciting times for our company as we expand to meet the growing demand for new digital content and games particularly from Sony and Microsoft which are our key focus for releasing our own titles on the Xbox One, PS4 platforms.

“We have a number of new games under development and aim to release a new version of D/Generation this autumn. It has tremendous pedigree having been in the top 50 games during the 90s for five years. West Coast’s John Jones-Steele was involved in making the Amiga and ST versions of the original and our new version will benefit from the latest technologies and be in 3D high definition.

“The growth of our business is also being accelerated by equity investment from S4C which is a great boost and opens up a range of new opportunities for West Coast.”