London-listed video game services firm Keywords Studios has acquired UK game developer The Multiplayer Group (MPG).
The Dublin-headquartered group will pay £76.5million in cash to current owner Improbable to take full control of the Nottingham-based game studio.
MPG has worked with some of the world’s best-known studios and publishers including Call of Duty (pictured) maker Activision Blizzard.
MPG has worked with some of the world’s best-known studios and publishers, including Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard and Elder Scrolls maker Bethesda.
The firm, which was founded in 2018 and employs 360 staff globally, provides co-development and full game development to a global client base.
It also has functions working on data science, new technology and AI.
In a statement, Keywords said MPG ‘has a strong pipeline of work and is expected to deliver double-digit percentage revenue growth in 2024’, with margins in line with those of the London-listed group’s create division.
Bertrand Bodson, CEO of Keywords Studios, said: ‘MPG is a business that we have long admired for its high-quality work, blue-chip client base, deep experience in developing AAA multiplayer games and its use of technology and data analytics.
The deal will see Keywords acquire MPG for £76.5m, the Nottingham-based firm has also worked with Elder Scrolls (pictured) maker Bethesda
‘This is another important step in building out our platform and expanding our offering to encompass specialised multiplayer game development at scale, which is increasingly in demand for live services.’
Founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife couple Giorgio Guastalla and Teresa Luppino, Keywords initially offered translation services to business software providers.
The company now provides technical services to most of the world’s largest video games publishers.
This can range from translating in-game text to creating artwork, proofreading, scoring music, player research, and even creating entire games for developers.
Andy Norman, CEO of MPG, said: ‘We have seen strong growth over the past few years, working on some of the most complex and successful games in the market, supported by our dedication to a sustainable, people-first culture.
‘With Keywords, we believe we can continue to lead and grow multiplayer innovation, bringing the MPG ethos to more customers and games.’
Earlier this month, Microsoft’s multi-billion-pound takeover of Call Of Duty maker Activision Blizzard took another twist.
US anti-trust watchdogs argued in a California court that a previous ruling by a federal judge in July that the £60billion merger was legal under competition law was incorrect
Keywords Studio shares rose by 3.33 per cent to 1,460p in Monday morning trading
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