THQ CHOSE COPENHAGEN AS THEIR SCANDINAVIAN BASE

Copenhagen – a European cluster for computer games?
THQ, one of the world’s largest suppliers of interactive computer games had opened a sale & marketing department in Islands Brygge in Copenhagen. 11 employees in the office in Copenhagen will cover sale and marketing activities in the entire Nordic region. On a longer term the company expects to employ about 25 persons and maybe expand their activities in the region also to include the development of games.

In the competition with the other Scandinavian capitals the reasons for THQ’s choice of Copenhagen for their Nordic headquarter was focused on three factors. That is; the flexible Danish labour market, the possibility for recruiting both Danish and Swedish labour and not least the new Danish education focusing on computer games, DADIU (National Academy of Digital Interactive Entertainment). The last factor is especially important now that the first class has just finished in the first quarter of 2006. Competent labour for development of games is a condition for the companies’ willingness to invest and that creates a basis for Copenhagen as a centre for computer games.

THQ’s choice of Copenhagen as their Scandinavian base is a step closer to Copenhagen’s vision to become a European cluster for computer games. Copenhagen and the Øresund region as a natural centre for computer games companies will give a positive boost to the Danish game industry and attracting investments within creative industries such as the game industry to the Øresund region is a part of Copenhagen Capacity’s strategy.

Copenhagen Capacity’s involvement
Copenhagen Capacity was in contact with THQ through more than two years before the project became a reality. Throughout the entire process, Copenhagen Capacity has assisted THQ with comprehensive documentation on the advantages of setting up a business in Copenhagen together with practical information and assistance in the process of setting up the office in Copenhagen.

About the company
THQ was founded in 1994 in California, USA where the company today is headquartered. Today the company’s games are sold in 77 countries worldwide and the company employs 1,500 people worldwide, 200 of these are based in Europe. THQ has offices in a number of European countries as well as in Singapore, Korea and Australia. With a yearly turnover of about $ 0.8 billion THQ is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software such as computer games and video games. The company has a diverse product portfolio that appeal to all segments of the expanding gaming industry.