Keywords acquires The Multiplayer Group for £76.5 million

In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the gaming industry, Dublin-based Keywords Studios has recently acquired The Multiplayer Group Ltd (MPG), a prominent multiplayer game development studio based in Nottingham, UK. The deal, valued at £76.5 million, saw Keywords Studios acquire MPG from Improbable, a notable player in the metaverse space, which had owned MPG since 2019.

Renowned for its expertise in AAA multiplayer games, MPG has earned recognition for its contributions to projects for major studios and publishers, including Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Zenimax, Epic, and 2K. The studio offers a comprehensive range of services, encompassing both co-development and full game development, along with dedicated teams focusing on data science, new technology, and artificial intelligence. Since its establishment in 2018, MPG has experienced remarkable growth, boasting a global workforce of over 360 professionals.

Andy Norman, CEO of MPG, said: “MPG has found success in the multiplayer space through passion, expertise, and customer driven collaboration. 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. We look forward to working closely with Keywords and driving growth both in MPG and across the enlarged Keywords’ group”. 

Following the acquisition, the leadership team at MPG, consisting of Andy Norman, Rocco Loscalzo, Vaughan O’Brien, and Roger Cheung, will continue to helm the studio. Their continued involvement includes participation in a management incentive plan, aligned with ambitious growth targets set for the next two years. 

Bertrand Bodson, CEO of Keywords Studios, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the MPG team to Keywords. 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. 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. We believe that MPG complements our existing high-quality UK and global Create studios and are excited to bring them into the Group. We look forward to working with Andy and the wider talented MPG team over the coming years to continue to drive growth in the business.”
This strategic move comes on the heels of Keywords Studios’ earlier acquisition of Digital Media Management, an award-winning social media agency, in March 2023, further solidifying Keywords Studios’ commitment to expanding its diverse portfolio and influence in the gaming and media landscape.