Skip to content

Keywords Studios acquires US-based studio Certain Affinity

Date

October 2024

Sectors

Marketing services and technology, Software

Deal Type

Merger/Acquisition

Our Role

Buy side

About Certain Affinity

Certain Affinity is an American video game development studio based in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2006 by Max Hoberman and a small number of other ex-Bungie employees and other industry veterans. Notable projects include nearly 20 engagements supporting the Halo and Call of Duty franchises, as well as Hogwarts Legacy, DOOM, and many more. Certain Affinity employs over 180 people in the US and Canada, anchored out of their offices in Austin, Texas, and Toronto, Ontario. This encompasses multiple teams working closely with clients on a range of announced and unannounced projects, including the highly anticipated upcoming game EXODUS from Archetype Entertainment, a division of game developer and publisher Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro.

About Keywords Studios

Keywords Studios is an international technical and creative services provider to the global video games industry and beyond. Established in 1998, they are a team of over 12,000 based across more than 70 facilities in 26 countries, strategically located in Asia, the Americas, Australia and Europe. They provide integrated art creation, marketing services, game development, testing, localisation, audio, community management and player support in more than 50 languages and 16 games platforms to a client base of over than 950 clients across the globe.

About the deal

“We are thrilled to welcome Certain Affinity to the Keywords Group,” said Keywords CEO Bertrand Bodson. “We have enormous respect for their business and reputation. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to our Create division, complementing our existing skills and expanding our presence notably in the US and Canada. We look forward to partnering with Max, Paul, and their team over the coming years to continue to drive growth in our Create division and overall business.”

Our work

We advised Keywords Studios on their acquisition of Certain Affinity by providing financial due diligence services.

WY's support was of huge value to us throughout this process. Their strong technical skills and personable style meant we were always on top of the key issues and helped us to move forward to a successful outcome for all involved. We look forward to working with them again soon.

Darren Sheahan

Corporate Finance Director

Keywords Studios

 

 

 

Sector related deals

Merger/Acquisition

Marketing services and technology

Mar
2024

Havas acquires social media agency Wilderness

Merger/Acquisition

Marketing services and technology
Software

Dec
2023

Keywords Studios acquires multiplayer game development studio The Multiplayer Group for $97.1m

Merger/Acquisition

Marketing services and technology

Dec
2023

INCA Productions has joined The Independents

View all deals