The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New HQ for Minecraft developer 4J
Minecraft developer 4J Studios is to move to a new purpose-built headquarters in Dundee’s central waterfront.
The company, led by leading Scottish entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl, has purchased Shed 25 at City Quay from Unicorn Property group and is developing plans for a major overhaul.
The plan, which includes the creation of internal spaces for other software development companies to set-up in, was revealed by city development director Mike Galloway at the connectedthemed Dundee Economic Summit yesterday.
Mr Galloway said the project was a “personal statement” by Mr van der Kuyl and would help create new business in the city’s growing digital media sector.
Mr van der Kuyl is currently attending the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, where Microsoft confirmed that Minecraft – which has grown to become a global gaming phenomenon – would be made some time ago and are at an advanced stage of working on the plan for redevelopment of what will become the headquarters of 4J Studios.
“We are very excited about being part of the regeneration of Dundee waterfront, which is an amazing project.”
Chris Martin, CEO of Dundee mobile app developer Waracle, was among the keynote speakers at the summit.
He gave an overview of how the digital space had changed, and the new opportunities which were arising in the sector.
Mr Martin said there was a constant need for new digital design talent, specifically in the mobile arena, and said Dundee had a chance to grow its digital base by engaging with the wider world.
He gave examples of investments in countries such as Armenia and Romania that previous companies he had led had made in order to build their business.
“Dundee will grow if we export our products and services in turn for money,” he said.
“We need to be more outwards-facing and connect with the world.”