Professional Role and Company Overview
John Richardson is a Co-Founder and Director at Level Up., a specialized talent consultancy operating primarily within the gaming, immersive technology, and AI sectors. He brings over 15 years of international headhunting and recruitment experience, focusing on partnering with AAA, indie, and development studios globally to identify and hire top-tier talent in gaming and immersive industries. Level Up. emphasizes sourcing from both traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, reflecting an adaptive recruitment strategy aligned with industry evolution.
Relevant Industry Expertise and Content Contributions
John Richardson has authored and contributed to numerous thought leadership articles and blog posts published on Level Up’s platform, covering critical industry topics such as:
- The evolution of esports, providing historical context and forward-looking insights into competitive gaming.
- Talent acquisition trends, notably hiring from non-traditional backgrounds in the gaming industry.
- Emerging technologies in game development, including virtual reality and the metaverse.
- Impact of game streaming platforms on the video game industry.
- Career entry points like starting out as QA in video game development.
These contributions demonstrate his deep understanding of industry trends, workforce challenges, and technology trajectories influencing client studios and talent pools.
Strategic Leadership and Industry Positioning
As a recognized leader in gaming recruitment, John Richardson is actively engaged in expanding Level Up.’s influence and network, exemplified by recent strategic advisory appointments within the company’s extended family of talent solution brands. Level Up. maintains a clear positioning as a specialized partner to studios, leveraging innovative recruitment solutions to address niche and scalable talent needs in a highly competitive sector.
Professional Recognition and Skillset Highlights
While specific personal awards or recognitions for John Richardson were not identified directly, Level Up.’s market positioning and his extensive commentary on talent acquisition suggest significant expertise in:
- International headhunting and executive search.
- Integrated talent solutions tailored for gaming and adjacent tech fields.
- Navigating technical requirements such as expertise in Unreal Engine 5 through client hiring mandates.
- Engagement with artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies as part of recruitment and industry development narratives.
Organizational Context: Level Up.
- Level Up. is described as a global talent consultancy facilitating connections between gaming studios and specialized professionals.
- The company targets AAA, indie, and development studios across multiple geographic markets, emphasizing global reach and diversity in candidate sourcing.
- Level Up. actively produces content, including podcasts ("The Level Up Lounge") and articles to engage and educate its audience on industry trends and professional development.
Online Presence and Digital Footprint
- John Richardson’s professional LinkedIn profile: [linkedin.com/in/johnfrichardson](http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrichardson)
- Level Up. website consultancy page featuring John Richardson: [levelupgaming.io/consultants/john-richardson](https://www.levelupgaming.io/consultants/john-richardson)
- Regular contributor to Level Up.’s blog with insights and thought leadership pieces under his byline.
This profile indicates that John Richardson operates at a senior leadership level within a niche but rapidly advancing segment of the gaming talent recruitment industry. His expertise in understanding evolving industry needs and applying innovative talent strategies positions him as a knowledgeable and influential figure within Level Up., making this background relevant for strategic engagement within the gaming and immersive technology sectors.
