Video game outlet seeks programmers
 

Hank Daniszewski

April 19, 2007

The folks at Beanbag Studios in London are so busy churning out hot video games they want to hire about 90 more staff.

BUSINESS JUMPING: Gary Corriveau of Beanbag Studios says the gaming business is growing in leaps and bounds and he expects to be hiring about 100 new employees during the next two years.

But they're afraid they won't be able to find experienced game programmers and are thinking of moving operations to the Toronto area.

"I'm in dire need of about 30 more people right now because we have more projects than we can handle. But our preference is to stay in London," said company president Steve Bergenholtz, who says Beanbag should have about 100 employees within two years.

Bergenholtz, based in Texas, says he contacted the London Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), but was disappointed by feedback from Larry MacKinnon, who started in a position last October to develop technology businesses. He said MacKinnon didn't offer direct help in recruitment and suggested Beanbag advertise on websites.

"We anticipated more support from the city than they were able to provide," Bergenholtz said.

Beanbag's London operation is headed by co-owner Gary Corriveau, a London native. He said the LEDC should do a better job promoting technology businesses.

"I want to know what they are spending their money on," Corriveau said.

MacKinnon said he wasn't aware of Beanbag until the company called him this week. He said London has five video game developers but they've kept a low profile.

"They have kept their heads down but now they have raised their profile to get the talent they need to grow."

MacKinnon said the market for experienced video game programmers is tight everywhere.

"I am not in a position to be hiring those people, I can't address the issue directly," he said.

But MacKinnon said the LEDC can work with the company as well as Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario to ensure grads are ready for the job market. He said the LEDC also can help new employees settle in the city.

More information on the jobs is on the company's website, http://www.beanbagstudios.com.