- To develop 2 games by the end of the first year and a further 6 games in the second year.
- To create 25 new jobs in Ozersk, including 14 for former employees of FSUE PO "Mayak".
Background
Astra, which was set up in 2003, is Ozersk's main internet service provider with a market share
of around 70% amongst businesses. In addition it sells and supports software products and installs
and maintains local area networks. The company had a turnover of £ 540,000 in 2007 and employed 37
staff. It has been examining how it can diversify and has begun the development of small scale
casual games, a market which is expanding rapidly in Russia. Casual games are computer based games
which have simple rules, are easy to control and free from violence; they are available through
games publishers and distributors. Astra had experience in developing and selling its own software
and had embarked on initial development work to create a range of demonstration products to secure
the backing of a publisher - a prerequisite for success. It is in close contact with Alawar
Intertainment Co, a publisher which is already collaborating with 50 teams of developers across
Russia.
Leadership
The company has grown quite rapidly since it was set up and has become increasingly experienced.
Managers possess the necessary skills and competencies to succeed in the rapidly developing games
market and this project will be led by the company's General Director.
Plan
The purpose of this project is to create a sustainable games software business at a cost of
around £ 267,291 over the two year development period. The company expects to be able to
recruit capable software programmers from Mayak and the local institute thereby giving it a
significant cost advantage over the majority of other developers based in St Petersburg and Moscow.
Expansion involves recruitment of a development team of programmers to take forward those
demonstration games which have the backing of a publisher. The team aims to develop 2 games by
the end of the first year and a further 6 games in the second year. Several suppliers will be asked
to tender for equipment and after evaluation of bids received, orders will be placed. After
delivery, software will have to be installed and commissioned. New premises will be rented to
accommodate the staff to be recruited. The plan indicated that 10 games would be produced after
the end of the first year and 18 by the end of the second.
Jobs
18 new jobs (of them 8 for former employee of FSUE PA MAYAK) had been created by the end of Q 1, 2011-2012.
Cost
Total cost of the project is £ 267,291.
The DECC's contribution is £ 103,400 (to cover the purchase of new computer systems and software and the rental of office premises for the first two years).
£ 163,891 will be funded by Astra and this sum will meet the costs of equipment, staff salaries and other incidental costs.
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