New digital gaming company opens its doors in London

A new digital interactive gaming company, called RedJade Inc. has opened its doors in London as announced by the London Economic Development Corporation at an electronic gaming conference in London this week.

RedJade specializes in art work and design for other gaming businesses. The company was formed following the closure of Digital Illusions Canada by Electronic Arts in California after it bought Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment (DICE) in Sweden, parent of the now closed local firm.

RedJade has opened with 12 workers and a contract to continue to do design work for DICE in Sweden and its Battlefield series of shooter games.

"I decided I want to stay here in London instead of going elsewhere," said Fredrik Liljegren, chief executive officer of RedJade and formerly the studio manager at Digital Illusions Canada, "There is a really talented team here and I enjoy living and working in London."

According to Larry MacKinnon, manager of business growth and retention for the LEDC, the fact that a core of young, highly mobile game developers decided to remain is a good sign.

"They like the environment, they like the opportunities and decided to form their own company," he said. "It has gone from a foreign-owned company to a local company and has an opportunity to grow. It sends a message London is a place for this type of business."

"We have good companies doing good work here and anything we can do to grow this industry only benefits the city," says Michael Katchabaw, assistant professor in computer science at UWO.

Western offers a minor in game development as part of its computer science program and graduates are finding work at the city's gaming businesses, RedJade, Digital Extremes or Big Blue Bubble, said Katchabaw.

RedJade is located on Fullarton Street, but will soon move to a new office on Wellington Street near Victoria Park.