Keywords Studios to lead Functionality QA in the Americas with upcoming VMC acquisition

Keywords Studios, the international technical services provider to the global video games industry, today announces that it is to acquire VMC Consulting Corporation and Volt Canada Inc. (collectively, “VMC”), a leading provider of video game Quality Assurance, Player Support and other dedicated technical services in North America.

Date Published: 24/10/2017

Founded in 1999 and with secure labs in both Seattle and Montreal, VMC now employs 1,300 people. By joining the Keywords group, VMC will enhance the breadth and depth of Keywords’ expansive portfolio of service line offerings, elevating Keywords to the position of the leading provider of Functionality QA services in North America. In addition, through its Global Beta Testing Network (GBTN) program, VMC’s already established position as a leading provider of crowd-based QA services will ensure all Keywords’ clients can readily test their games in the real world, in a controlled manner, immediately before launch.

The acquisition will bring around 400 customer support agents to Keywords’ fast-growing Player Support service line. Additionally, VMC has expertise in deploying onsite fully managed and co-managed service solutions through its Embedded Technical Services (ETS) offer, which VMC has been delivering for its customers across North America, since its formation.

The VMC teams will bring a range of skills and expertise to the Keywords Group, extending the strength and scale of its broad portfolio of service lines. The Group now employs more than 4,000 people globally, delivering world-class support solutions across its seven service lines of Art Creation, Software Engineering, Audio Services, Functionality QA, Localization, Localization Testing and Player Support.

Andrew Day, Chief Executive of Keywords, commented, “VMC is an organisation we’ve admired for several years for its reputation, scale and high-quality service as well as its attractive embedded technical services and crowd-based testing services.

“We look forward to working with the team at VMC to support their growth as part of a group providing similar services, as we realise the benefits of combining our complementary services and locations. We strongly believe that this will result in a compelling offering for our broadened client base, not only in North America but also internationally.”