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Eye-opening success

Ken Sweeney, Entertainment Editor

World-leading Dublin-based digital effects company Havok, behind top-selling video games and movies such as Watchmen and Harry Potter, wins half-a-dozen awards at last week's BaftaVideo Games Awards London

Wreaking Havok: A scene from superhero movie 'Watchmen '

David O'Meara: 'compelling value'

Daniel Craig in 'Quantum of Solace'

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An Irish company which produces software for the games and movie industries is celebrating this weekend after a string of prestigious Bafta wins.

Games created using technology by Dublin software firm Havok won in six categories at the 2008 Bafta Video Games Awards held in London's Hilton Hotel last week.

A delighted Havok MD David O'Meara said: "This is brilliant. We had 27 nominations for 10 games across the categories. For us, it's all about offering compelling products with compelling value to customers who trust our brand will never let them down under any circumstances."

The Bafta success comes after Havok won an Emmy last year for their work in making computer games more realistic for users. Collaborations with film company Moving Picture MPC has seen Havok visual effects used in films such as Quantum of Solace, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Blockbuster film Watchmen is the latest movie to benefit from technology and special effects supplied by Havok.

"Watchmen is visually stunning. I'd describe it as high-octane with plenty of effects which are Havok-powered and a great film," said O'Meara.

Based in Dublin's Digital Hub and with other offices in San Francisco, San Antonio, Calcutta, Munich and Tokyo, the MD says his company, which employs 100 staff, has been building steadily towards its position as global leaders in supplying games technology and special effects for films since it was established in 1998.

"We started off 10 years ago and we have grown incrementally to a point where we are now the world leader. In 2008, retail games with a value of $3bn were Havok-powered. That's six times larger than our nearest competitor worldwide. I'm hoping in 2009 we can surpass that," said O'Meara.

The Dublin software boss credits Havok's staff, who he likened to Manchester United, as a key factor behind the company's success

"We have over 100 people in the key critical areas. These people are the very best in the world at what they do, the best scientists, the best mathematicians, the best physicists. It's almost like Manchester United, if you like to take an analogy. If you want to be in this game, if you want to be the best in the world at what you do, you have to run the business the same as Manchester United. The best people have to be in those positions."

But is the gaming industry a recession-proof sector?

"It varies actually. In some countries there is a decline and in others the market is still growing. But even where there is a decline, Havok is growing. We're growing because we're providing more products.

"We will launch our sixth product in San Francisco in two weeks' time at the world wide game developer conference. So through growth of product and through increasing market share Havok continues to grow, even in those countries where there is a small decline."