A video games developer has expanded its UK operation with a move to a major Derby office scheme.
Bulkhead Interactive, which produces titles for platforms including the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, has taken almost 6,500 sq ft of space at Cardinal Square, in Derby.
The firm, which was founded in 2015 by five University of Derby graduates, has enjoyed rapid success over the years and now employs a team of more than 65 people in Derby.
Its main title is the Second World War-inspired Battalion 44 game, which is a first-person shooter. Its second game, The Turing Test, has also been a hit with the gaming community.
On the back of the success of Battalion 44, Bulkhead recently opened a second studio in Munich, named Bulkhead Darkhorse, with its Derby studio called Bulkhead Phoenix.
Joe Brammer, chief executive at Bulkhead, said: “Since entering the games industry, Bulkhead’s ethos has been to take care of our people; a high-quality, centrally located studio space forms an important aspect of our philosophy and Cardinal Square offered exactly what we were looking for.
“Over the past four years, our team has grown from five students to a dynamic team of over 65 people and we’re excited for the next phase for the company’s development.
“Relocating Bulkhead Interactive to high quality office space at Cardinal Square and cementing our business in Derbyshire is the first stage in our new strategic growth plan and we look forward to getting started on some new and exciting projects in our new studio space.”
At one time, Derby was home to a number of major video games developers, including Core Design, the company which launched the Tomb Raider series of games back in the 1990s starring Lara Croft.
Mr Brammer said: “We have some really big plans and our new accommodation will enable us to scale up in order to achieve those goals and put Derbyshire back on the map for video games.”
Bulkhead has taken an entire floor at Cardinal Square, which comprises of four inter-connecting blocks, each arranged on four and five floors and set around a central quadrant that features a hidden landscaped garden.
Over the past 18 months, the building has been the subject of an extensive refurbishment programme by owners Nurton Developments to provide upgraded services and facilities, which is due to be completed in spring 2020.
David Dyas, asset manager for Nurton, said: “Bulkhead Interactive is a dynamic business with exciting growth plans and we are delighted that they have chosen Cardinal Square for their new home.
“Having a games developer housed at Cardinal Square demonstrates the broad appeal that the newly-refurbished Cardinal Square offers to businesses of all sizes and sectors.”
