Improbable, a renowned name in metaverse technology innovations, recently made a significant announcement. The company has sold its gaming division, The Multiplayer Group (MPG), to Keywords Studios for a whopping £76.5 million ($97.1 million). This strategic move is set to enhance Keywords Studios’ ‘Create’ division by incorporating MPG’s extensive expertise in multiplayer game development.
MPG’s collaboration history with eminent gaming studios and publishers, including Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Epic, and 2K, speaks volumes about their capabilities. Established in 2018, MPG has grown exponentially over the years, with a global workforce that now exceeds 360 employees. Even after the acquisition, the leadership team consisting of Andy Norman, Rocco Loscalzo, Vaughan O’Brien, and Roger Cheung will continue to steer MPG towards success. Their guidance, along with a management incentive plan, will be crucial in achieving the growth objectives set for the next two years.
Keywords Studios’ CEO, Bertrand Bodson, expressed his excitement about welcoming the MPG team into the Keywords family. The acquisition of MPG is seen as a significant step in Keywords Studios’ overarching strategy to enhance its gaming platform and broaden its services. The alliance with MPG focuses specifically on specialized multiplayer game development on a large scale, meeting the growing demand for live services in the gaming industry.
While Keywords Studios expands its horizons, Improbable is shifting its focus towards the booming realm of metaverse development. The company intends to scale its experimental metaverse events to expand its present capacity. In their recent annual report, Improbable emphasizes the growing relevance of the metaverse and Web3 technologies, predicting a transformation in gaming that will blur the boundaries between physical and digital realities.
Improbable’s co-founder and CEO, Herman Narula, sees tremendous growth potential for the metaverse in 2024. He believes that the convergence of gaming, VR/XR, and Web3 technologies, coupled with the popularity of headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro and the success of Meta Quest 3, will drive the demand for immersive metaverse experiences. Narula envisions gaming companies integrating metaversal elements into their offerings, thereby creating new brand activation opportunities. Additionally, he foresees consolidation in the gaming and Web3 sectors, leading to a stronger and more innovative startup ecosystem that harnesses collaborative resources and expertise to develop groundbreaking metaverse applications.
Beyond just gaming and metaverse development, the technology landscape is evolving rapidly. The Web3 ecosystem is on the horizon, promising a level of maturity and stability that was previously unseen. Asia, in particular, is expected to emerge as a significant participant, shaping the future of this digital frontier. With the rise of online communities, digital asset economies, and digital events, Asia is set to become the hub of innovation in the rapidly changing technology landscape.
Improbable’s sale of its gaming division MPG to Keywords Studios indicates a strategic shift in focus for both companies. While Keywords Studios strengthens its multiplayer game development capabilities, Improbable is poised to lead the way in the metaverse and Web3 technologies. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the integration of metaversal elements and the transformative power of the metaverse are set to reshape the digital landscape in the coming years. With the rise of the Web3 ecosystem, the future holds exciting opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and the creation of immersive experiences that go beyond the boundaries of physical reality.
