The Multiplayer Group, a Keywords Studio: Earn Official AWS Partner Status

Keywords Studios has long been a go-to for comprehensive game development and support. Our Create service line, in particular, focuses on world class engineering, art and audio services - helping developers handle every aspect of a game’s build. Now, one of Create’s own studios, The Multiplayer Group (MPG), has a new accolade to its name: they’re the first Keywords studio to secure official AWS Partner status.

What does that mean for game developers? We sat down with Phil Rogers, Head of Engineering at MPG, with interviewer Alex Lambert asking the questions. Phil explains how MPG’s newly minted AWS badge fits into the Keywords Studios ecosystem, why it matters for live-service games, and how it benefits studios of every size.

While several Keywords Studios teams already leverage AWS in their development work, MPG is the first to formalise this with an official partner status, setting a benchmark for the broader group.

MPG’s Role Under Keywords Studios

Alex Lambert (Interviewer):
“Phil, let’s start with an overview of MPG and its place in Keywords Studios. What’s your core expertise?”

Phil Rogers (MPG):
“MPG is part of Keywords Studios’ Create lineup, which handles the nuts-and-bolts of game production. We’re a Co-Development studio, covering Engineering, Art, Design, QA and Production for our partners, but one of our specialties is backend engineering; we build or refine server code, integrate code for multiplayer, optimize live operations—you name it. We’re comfortable in multiple languages (C#, Golang, JavaScript, TypeScript, and more), and we typically host on AWS. But we’ll pivot to other cloud providers if a client prefers.”

He points out that MPG isn’t siloed from the rest of the development process: “We’re gamers ourselves, so we don’t treat backend like an afterthought. We consult with gameplay teams - working in Unreal, Unity, and proprietary engines - to ensure a game’s features mesh perfectly with the servers.”

Becoming the First AWS Partner Within Keywords Studios

Alex:
“You’ve just become the first Keywords Studios studio to earn AWS Partner status. Can you explain what that means for MPG—and for Keywords Studios as a whole?”

Phil:
“Sure. It’s basically AWS’s stamp of approval that says, ‘Hey, these folks really understand our platform.’ We had to certify our engineers, show successful large-scale deployments, and prove we follow best practices around security, performance, and cost optimization. Now we have an official badge to back up what we were already doing for years.”

Being the first in Keywords Studios with that recognition is a milestone: “It broadens what Keywords Studios can offer. If a developer needs top-tier AWS solutions, well, we’re now recognized by AWS themselves as a partner. That resonates with prospective clients who want that confidence in cloud hosting.”

Why This Matters to Keywords Studios’ Create

Alex:
“From a Keywords Studios standpoint, how does MPG’s new status bolster the Create service line?”

Phil:
“Keywords Studios is known for covering every angle - QA, localization, marketing. Create is where we handle game development, audio and art. By landing AWS Partner accreditation, MPG effectively raises the entire group’s cloud capabilities. That means if a client’s forging ahead with a big online title, they don’t have to bring in an external vendor for servers; they can do it all under one roof with Keywords Studios.”

MPG remains vendor-neutral overall, but Phil explains that AWS is a common choice for large-scale or live-service titles due to robust features and global support. “At the end of the day, we choose whatever best suits the client. AWS is simply one more powerful option we can bring to the table—especially when large-scale infrastructure is needed.” 

Serving Indies and AAA: Adapting to Every Scale

Alex:
“Your background includes everything from small projects to AAA. How do you tailor your backend approach to handle such a range?”

Phil:
“We factor in the publisher’s goals, their budget, and how many players they’re aiming for. An indie might only need a few cost-friendly servers that can expand later. A AAA shooter might require containerized microservices on AWS that auto-scale for millions of concurrent users. We choose the path that balances performance with cost efficiency. No one-size-fits-all.”

He also notes that many studios keep MPG onboard after launch: “Whether it’s expansions, in-game events, or sudden player spikes, we stay flexible. That’s part of the value: we stay involved well after launch, making sure expansions, updates, and any surprises are handled smoothly. We build long-term, evolving solutions.”

Why an Official AWS Partner Badge Matters

Alex:
“So you’ve been using AWS for years, but now it’s official. Why is that recognized status so valuable?”

Phil:
“In a word, trust. We’ve always run large-scale deployments, but the official Partner label confirms to new clients that AWS itself recognizes our expertise. It’s not just us saying, ‘Yeah, we can do it.’ We’ve got AWS certifying, ‘Yes, these folks actually do know the platform inside and out.’”

He adds: "It also boosts our visibility. Studios looking for an AWS-certified co-development partner can now find us through official AWS channels, while we remain platform-agnostic enough to adapt if a project calls for Azure or another provider.”

Real-World Impact: Live-Service & Scalability

Alex:
“Can you share any insights on how MPG handles real-world challenges, like big launch spikes or ongoing live-service costs?”

Phil:
“Take a game expecting a million concurrent players at launch: you can’t just ‘hope’ your servers hold up. We build out architectures that scale on demand. That might mean microservices, container orchestration, or serverless functions that spin up when needed. We also keep an eye on the bottom line—if player numbers dip, you don’t want idle servers burning cash.”

For smaller studios, Phil says a partial peer-to-peer model with limited server authority can also be a cost-saver. “We talk to the client about their game design, the risk of cheating, the concurrency goals—then propose a solution that meets those needs. It’s never just about the tech, but how it fits the game’s vision and budget.”

Why This Matters to Clients: “Confidence and Convenience”

Alex:
“If I’m a publisher or developer, what’s in it for me that MPG is an AWS Partner within Keywords Studios Create?”

Phil Rogers:
“Two big reasons: confidence and convenience. Confidence because you know we’ve been vetted by AWS - we’re not winging it. We’ve got the training, the real-world cases, the certifications. Convenience because if you’re already working with Keywords Studios for art or front-end game development, you can add us for backend without juggling a separate vendor. It’s all under the Keywords Studios banner, and that integration smooths everything from initial planning to live ops.”

He notes that having multiple teams under one umbrella eliminates the usual back-and-forth: “If we need to adjust the backend for a new content drop, we can coordinate instantly with the appropriate teams, such as QA or Design. It removes a lot of the friction you'd have juggling separate vendors - and that’s especially helpful when you're supporting ongoing updates or expansions in a live-service setting.”

The Road Ahead: MPG & Keywords Studios Together

Alex:
“Where do you see things heading for MPG now that you’ve got AWS Partner status? Any big future initiatives?”

Phil Rogers:
“We’ll keep innovating - exploring AWS’s machine learning offerings, or ways to further optimize hosting for clients. We also anticipate closer collaboration with other Keywords Studios teams. If a developer wants advanced backend plus top-tier art or localization, they can get it from the same group of studios.”

He’s clear that live-service is likely to remain a driving force in the industry, though each publisher’s approach may differ. “We’re here to help studios adjust - be it a massive AAA wanting global concurrency, or a small team dipping a toe into multiplayer. Our AWS Partner status just proves we’re ready for it.”

Final Word

With MPG becoming the first Keywords Create studio to earn AWS Partner accreditation, Keywords Studios is now positioned to offer an even stronger suite of backend solutions. From live-service cost management to scalable cloud architectures and end-to-end co-development, MPG is ready to handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes - so developers can focus on building great games.