Keywords Studios FY 2023 Results
Keywords Studios achieved a resilient financial performance in 2023, reporting €780 million in revenue and a total growth rate of 13%. While the company faced significant headwinds from currency fluctuations and labor strikes in the United States, it maintained a strong organic growth rate of approximately 9% when adjusting for these factors. Performance across service pillars was mixed; the Create division experienced robust organic growth of 17.3%, whereas the Globalize and Engage sectors contended with market volatility and project cancellations. Despite these pressures, the firm maintained an adjusted operating margin of 15.6% and an EBITDA of €158.3 million, supported by a high cash conversion rate of 82.3%.
The strategic focus remains centered on aggressive expansion within the $38 billion video game content market, specifically targeting a revenue milestone exceeding €1 billion. This growth is fueled by a record €225 million investment in five high-quality acquisitions during 2023, supported by a $400 million revolving credit facility. Management intends to sustain an annual M&A spend of roughly €100 million while keeping net leverage below 2.0x. This consolidation strategy positions the firm to capitalize on the increasing complexity and cost of AAA game development, where budgets for major franchises now reach up to $1 billion.
Operating across 26 countries with a workforce of 13,000, the company currently services over 70% of top-tier industry award winners. The outlook for 2024 and beyond is positive, predicated on a recovery in global content volumes and the strategic integration of artificial intelligence to enhance creative and support services. By leveraging its global scale and technology-driven service pillars, the firm aims to maintain its leadership position as the industry continues to trend toward increased externalization and sophisticated content production.
