The company has recently signed up its second project, All Points Bulletin, its first venture into the burgeoning sector of online multi-player games which has already attracted huge numbers in eastern markets and is forecast to have a similar impact in the west.

Real Time Worlds has seen staff grow to 70 and David Jones expects numbers to rise again over the three-year development life of the latest project.

A small office has been opened in Seoul, following the signing of the latest deal, with Korean online games publisher Webzen.

“Numbers are growing throughout the industry. In the beginning you would have five or 10 people in a development team, but now it is 50 or 60,” Mr Jones said.

Confident of Dundee’s future in the gaming industry, he pointed to the number of established companies in the city and the opening of the Seabraes Mill, which will be a focus for the digital media industry.

Mr Jones added, “There is tremendous international interest in Dundee because of the specialised nature of this industry.

“We have been doing it for 15 years and have built up quite a local skill base.

“The universities have adapted, so if you want to get a degree and job in the industry Dundee is the number one place.

He added that the industry appreciated its civic links and through them, the contacts available with the many delegations who now come to Dundee to see the digital media industry in the city.

Joe Morrow took up this theme pointing to a recent delegation from China and the links to the industry around the world via the Digital Cities network and the work done by the universities.

He said, “David Jones is an inspirational figure and we are delighted he has maintained his Dundee roots over the years. The games industry is highly competitive and companies need to be able to adapt quickly and forge global alliances.

“Real Time Worlds shows us how Dundee can keep reaching out to new markets using the talented pool of skilled people we have in the city.”