Leveling Up Global Game Development: How Glowmade Built a Worldwide Team With Omnipresent

From Guildford to the Global: The Glowmade Growth Story

Glowmade, an award-winning independent game studio in Guildford, UK, has always believed that creativity knows no boundaries. As their projects grew in ambition, most recently with the huge  hit "King of Meat"  they needed to tap into the world’s best gaming talent. Scaling globally brought complex legal and HR challenges, especially in highly regulated markets like Spain and France.

Unlocking Global Talent: The Challenge

Glowmade set out to build a truly international team, they quickly encountered the realities of cross-border hiring. Managing payroll, benefits, and compliance in countries like Spain, France, and Italy proved daunting. Lara Willis, Head of People and Engagement at Glowmade, recalls, 

“Glowmade needed to hire the best programmers and artists, wherever they were. The legalities of onboarding and offboarding in countries like Spain, France, and Italy were daunting. That’s where Omnipresent became invaluable.”

Omnipresent’s Solution: Seamless Hiring Across Borders

Omnipresent’s Employer of Record (EOR) solution enabled Glowmade to quickly and compliantly hire top talent in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Norway, and New Zealand without the need to set up local entities. Their expertise in navigating country-specific employment laws, especially around offboarding and sick leave, proved essential. 

“We had a situation in Spain where an employee went on sick leave, and Omnipresent’s guidance helped us handle it smoothly and compliantly. Their support saved us from potential legal headaches and allowed us to focus on our games,” says Lara.

A People-First Approach: Culture and Communication

Beyond compliance, Omnipresent’s dedicated account management and transparent communication made a tangible difference for Glowmade’s people team. “Having a single point of contact who understands the nuances of the gaming industry and each country’s regulations gives us real peace of mind,” Lara explains. This support allowed Glowmade to maintain its award-winning studio culture, ensuring every new hire no matter where they are feels part of the creative journey.

The Results: Creativity Unleashed Worldwide

With Omnipresent, Glowmade has expanded from a local studio to a global team, now employing talent in six countries beyond the UK. This growth has fueled their creative ambitions and enabled them to keep their unique studio culture strong, even as they scale internationally.