Sony and Activision over UK tax breaks

[theRepublic]

Khuutra said:

theRepublic said:

Hold on a second.

It is not that easy to just move a company to a different country.  Especially since we are talking about a developer.  The only thing that really makes MM who they are is the people who are working there.  If you try to relocate the company to a different country, you are going to lose many of the people who worked there.

Then what are you left with?  The original company will be a shell of its former self, and a bunch of talent available on the job market in the UK.  Either competing studios are going to pick those people up, or maybe those former employees start their own studio.  So you have simultaneously hurt your own position, and given yourself more competition.  Not a good move.

I think that depends entirely on the incentives offered to the employees re: relocation, but you do make a very valid point.

I have a bit of experience with this.  My father had this happen twice.  Once he chose to go with the company, another time he chose to get a different job.  Both times he saw high turnover during the transition.  It doesn't even end after you have finished the move.  Employees decide they don't like the new environment, or new people and leave the company then.

This was just moving to different cities within the US.  It must be worse for international moves.