20 years of global recruitment across games, eGaming, Web3, real-time tech and AI — with clients and candidates placed across 20 countries. The games industry has faced a tough few years — tighter budgets, restructures and uncertainty. Yet most recruitment fees haven't changed. Level Ground Talent was built to offer a fairer solution. I've developed an AI-assisted process that handles the heavy administration, whilst every shortlist, conversation and judgment is run past my experience. That lower overhead means I can offer the same experienced service at a fairer rate — one that reflects the reality studios are facing.
Who I am
Passionate about games and technology since childhood — it's why working in this industry has never felt like a job. There's something personal about matching the right talent with the right studio. Whether it's a startup building their first team or an established studio expanding, getting that hire right matters. I'm proud to have placed talent globally across every discipline and every level for some of the biggest and smallest studios in the world.
I've worked with clients and placed candidates across 20+ countries, spanning the UK, Europe, North America and beyond — as an external recruiter and as an embedded internal one. I understand this industry from both sides of the table.
I've been fascinated by AI in games since the early days — watching it evolve from basic pathfinding to the sophisticated systems powering games today. That curiosity never went away. It's part of why, when AI tools became genuinely useful for recruitment, I was already paying attention — and why I've built them into how I work.
Most recently I served as sole external recruiter for Pixion Games, a London-based Web3 mobile studio, working collaboratively with their founding team to help build them from startup to operational launch. They've since shipped Fableborne, reached 380,000 players, and raised multiple funding rounds.
In 2024 I stepped back to care full-time for my elderly father. During that time I built an AI-assisted recruitment system — because I could see where things were heading, and I wanted to be ready when I came back.
I've worked on both sides of the fence — as an external recruiter and as an embedded internal one, including managing the technology recruitment account for BSkyB (Core Products, NOW TV, Platform Technology) through Experis, one of the world's largest specialist recruitment companies.
I've also spent years recruiting for the eGaming and online betting industry — a sector that demands the same calibre of technical talent as games, moves just as fast, and pays well.
That means I understand budgets. I know what agency fees look like from your side of the table. And I know that the way external recruitment is priced hasn't changed — even though the tools have.
That's what Level Ground Talent is here to fix.
How it works
You tell me what you need. I find the right people, screen them properly, and send you a shortlist worth your time. You only pay if someone gets hired.
01
Role, level, must-haves. A short conversation. I take it from there.
Quick start02
My system builds and filters a longlist fast. I review everything — nothing goes forward without my judgment.
AI + Human03
CV review, portfolio check, a short call. 20 years of knowing what good looks like — not an algorithm.
Human judgment04
A focused list of people worth your time, with clear notes on each. I can arrange interviews, manage candidate expectations, and deliver and negotiate offers on your behalf — or hand over at any point if you'd prefer to run it yourself.
Full serviceBackground & reach
Games is where my network is deepest — but I've already placed people in VR, visualisation, real-time graphics and creative technology companies. The candidates I work with are increasingly open to roles outside games. A lot of them don't know what's out there until it's put in front of them. If you're in a space where that talent matters, I can help.
I've placed into · AAA & AA game studios · Mobile & social games · eGaming & online betting · Web3 & blockchain gaming · AI & real-time tech · Virtual production & film tech · VR & AR
What I recruit for
From graduate to director. From gameplay programmer to studio head. If it's a hire that matters, I've probably placed one like it.
"Howard is a focused individual with an ability to spot great talent that can fit with our business culture. He delivered on the targets we set him, under budget and well within time scales. Quite simply, we couldn't have asked for more and we hope he is available to return when we go through our next hiring phase."Michael Cleavely — Services Governance, BSkyB Managed Howard directly · LinkedIn recommendation
How I charge
It's no secret that recruiters are using AI to cut their sourcing time. What's less common is passing that saving on. I've sat on both sides of this and I know what these fees feel like from your end.
Most agencies are quietly using AI to work faster and keep every penny of that saving as margin. The fees haven't moved even though the workload has dropped significantly.
AI handles my sourcing and admin. I handle the judgment — the part that actually requires 20 years in the industry. That means I charge significantly less and still deliver properly.
If I can help, I'd love to hear from you.
Howard Dee
howard@levelgroundtalent.com