Keywords Studios has acquired three service providers for game publishers. The amount of transactions is over $12 million
Keywords Studios Group of companies has expanded its portfolio of gaming outsourcers. She made three acquisitions worth $12.1 million at once.
Part of Keywords Studios will be Kantan, Ichi and Syllabes. All of these are owners of assets and technologies related to the gaming industry. For each transaction, Keywords will pay part of the amount in cash, and another part in shares after a certain time.
The purchase of these companies will help the formation of Keywords as a “platform of technical and creative services for global game development,” according to its representatives.
What kind of companies has the group acquired?
Kantan is a developer of software for language translation using machine learning. Among the products are Neural Network and KantanMT, as well as the KantanSkynet platform. Among the clients are the European Commission and the eBay marketplace. The technology is also licensed for game publishers. The company has a staff of nine people and is located in Dublin.
Kantan Keywords expects to provide fully integrated localization services to leading publishers and game developers.
- The group will pay $7.7 million for Kantan. She will immediately pay $3.9 million to Kantan founder Tony O’Dowd and investors. O’dowdoo will receive another $3.2 million (in stock and cash) if Kantan reaches its targets three years after the deal. Keywords will also issue 38.6 thousand shares for sale as part of the deal.
Ichi is engaged in marketing and also works with game publishers. Its task is to think through marketing campaigns, create game trailers, advertising materials and other content. All this is done by 13 people in the London office. With the purchase of Ichi Keywords will expand its range of marketing services.
Ichi’s clients include major publishers such as Square Enix and Deep Silver. Separately, Ichi works in sports and entertainment areas (with Puma and Netflix). Its annual revenue exceeds $3.8 million.
- The value of the transaction with Keywords reaches $4.1 million. The initial payment amount is $2.9 million, the seller will receive the rest in shares. Under the terms of the group, Liz Corless will remain the head of Ichi.
The last company bought was Syllabes, a casting and recording company. Its annual income of $531 thousand is provided by a staff of five employees. Syllabes provides sound recording services in French and English, as well as sound design and dubbing training for gaming companies.
- The price for the company is $360 thousand, of which $246 thousand Keywords will pay immediately. The rest of the amount is deferred remuneration (provided that Syllabes reaches its targets for the year).
Keywords Studios itself owns a recording studio in Montreal. But buying Syllabes will allow her to expand this part of her business.
Keywords Studios was founded in Ireland, but is now located in London. In recent years, she has bought up dozens of companies (including gaming). Among her recent acquisitions is Studio Gobo.
Also on the topic:
