Teenager makes aliving out of passion for game

Dec 14 2007 By The Journal

A YOUNG businessman is uniting gamers across the globe. Jordan McGreevy is one of a number of entrepreneurs starting their own business in the region and taking advantage of the range of support on offer.

Jordan, from Walkergate, launched his own online gaming business Future RP at the age of 16 and now, one year on, he is registering players from all over the world.

Jordan said: “I know how difficult and scary it is to decide what to do at 16 – do you leave school and work full-time or continue studying and go to college?

“More school leavers should realise that there is another exciting career option, and age really shouldn’t be a barrier to starting a business.

“The idea of Future RP came to me as I used to play online games, and thought it would be interesting to have a go at making my own.

“It has taken a very long time, but the hard work was definitely worth it in the end.

“Future RP is an online role playing game set in the future, where players can create their own virtual character and train it to complete missions by interacting with other players.

“If you have a good business idea there are plenty of friendly and approachable organisations out there to help you and guide you through the unknown.

“Business Link and Newcastle City Council’s enterprise team have helped me to register my business, draw up action plans, manage my finances and have introduced me to key people in the industry, such as national game developer Eutechnyx who have helped boost my confidence in business.

“I continue to work with Business Link to ensure that my accounts are kept up to date and that I have a clear action plan to follow so that Future RP grows into a real profit-making enterprise.

“My advice to anyone looking to leave school and set up in business is to seek as much advice as you can – no one expects you to do it all on your own.

“I love being my own boss, but the only downside of running my own business is that I rarely sleep – the game’s user base is scattered across time zones so as some players go to bed others are waking up to play.

“It’s far more rewarding doing something you’re really passionate about and being in complete control than doing a job you’re not really interested in.”

Chris Pay of Business Link said: “I knew with the right contacts and a bit of mentoring, Jordan would be able to develop his passion into a profitable business.

“The management at Eutechnyx were so impressed with Jordan that they have given him paid work so that he has an income whilst further developing his own games.

“Business Link can help find the right information, advice, guidance and support to help entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground in the North- East.”

For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk or call 0845 600-9006.

To play Jordan’s game, log on to www.futureRP.net.