As part of its expansion plans, Danish video game company IO Interactive has begun the recruitment process to expand its Barcelona office, which opened in April 2021. This is the firm’s third studio, following the one in Copenhagen (Denmark) which moved to new premises in 2016, and a second in Malmö (Sweden) on the other side of the long bridge that links the two countries, which opened in 2019.

The Catalan team works with Glacier technology - developed by the company itself - on the Hitman and Project 007 video game projects, as well as on a third that is soon to be launched. All three offices are in fact working together on the same projects.

Attracting talent
Located in the Eixample district, the Barcelona office is now getting ready to grow by beginning a recruitment process aimed at attracting new talent to fill 150 new positions. The company is not necessarily looking for local staff, and has for this reason created a relocation assistance programme, which provides support for people living anywhere in the world when they relocate to Barcelona, and while they are settling in and adapting to life in the city. Staff from 35 different countries are working in the three offices at present.

The relocation assistance programme includes accommodation for the first two weeks, help in finding housing to suit the needs of each employee, and tenancy agreement oversight. Childcare and support with bureaucratic formalities such as registration with the social security and tax authorities, identity documentation and opening a bank account is also offered.

Employment benefits
IO Interactive employees are covered by private health insurance, are entitled to five weeks' leave a year in addition to public holidays, and receive restaurant vouchers for everyday use. Working hours are flexible, and paternity and maternity leave is sixteen weeks with full pay.

Barcelona is now considered one of the most dynamic technology centres, with one of the highest densities of innovation centres in southern Europe. The city is actually the second on the continent in terms of numbers of professional developers.

The company values the quality of life offered by Barcelona, and also the low cost of living, which put it ahead of most European cities. Free, high quality medical care and education together with good infrastructure, including the international airport, are also highlighted.

^{Photo: IO Interactive}