“There is a certain degree of permeability between tech and creative and gaming. Hamburg would not be quite as attractive without the wider tech
ecosystem.” Marvin Eschenauer, Director of Operations at Bytro Labs
but we aim to do so in the future. We always get great applications from them, especially for internships and student work. The TU, the HSBA, the Hafencity University, the Hamburger Kunsthochschule, but also institutes such as the SAE are all of particular interest to us.
How would you characterise the wide tech and creative industries in the region? Marc Morian (InnoGames): Hamburg has a major port and is by far the largest city in Northern Germany. For those reasons alone it has been - and still is - a magnet for all kinds of industries. Hamburg also has a strong tradition in media and publishing that dates back to the 18th century. It’s actually been Germany’s media capital for a long time now. So, it’s no wonder that the tech and creative industries also have a strong local presence. For instance, the German headquarters of Google and Meta are here, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We compete against those industries for online marketers, programmers and other talent to some extent. Sometimes we lose employees to them, but other times their employees decide to join us, thus creating a continuous exchange of know-how that benefits everyone involved. At the end of the day, the great variety of industries, the many exciting companies, and the attractive job opportunities they create, attract and – just as important – keep the talent in the city. That’s a big advantage for the local games sector.
Michelle Zou (Bigpoint): Hamburg is home to a flourishing tech and creative industry. It boasts a wide range of companies, from established giants like Facebook, to innovative startups. The creative sector, in particular, is vibrant and dynamic in Hamburg. This is partially due to organisations like the Hamburg Kreativgesellschaft, which support and promote the creative industries in the city. The presence of these industries has a positive impact on the games sector, fostering collaboration, cross-pollination of ideas, and providing access to talent and resources.
Marvin Eschenauer (Bytro): There is a certain degree of permeability between tech and creative companies and gaming. It is not unusual to see applications from ride- hailing, dating or big tech players in the region and sometimes the other way around. The support of the city’s administration is strong and directed to these players which helps the perception of gaming big time. Hamburg certainly would not be quite as attractive without the wider tech ecosystem!
How easy is it to attract sufficient talent to the area and what are your specific policies to get the best people? Marvin Eschenauer (Bytro): As we said before, Hamburg is a pretty international city, so there’s a lot of talent and diversity. It is highly competitive though! At Bytro we understand the importance of working together in the same physical place, but we also know that productivity and high-quality work can be done no matter where you are. We have colleagues all over the world, and we meet a few times a year – physically every quarter – in our Hamburg HQ’s for workshops, team building activities, and of course a good party!
Marc Morian (InnoGames): Despite its size, Hamburg is still a very liveable city. It’s pretty liberal and open- minded, rather safe, very green, and there are many options for recreation. The Baltic Sea coast, the North Sea coast, Denmark and Berlin are only a few hours away. Not least, Hamburg’s cost of living is still a bit lower than in some other German cities of similar size, such as Munich or Frankfurt. Attracting talent to a city like that is comparatively easy and that’s a big advantage given that InnoGames has a hybrid rather than a remote working model. However, attracting top talent remains
August 2023 MCV/DEVELOP | 31
“What you get when Game of Thrones has a one-night stand with X-COM” is what PC Gamer said about Battle Brothers. High praise indeed!
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