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How external development became a critical layer in game development — Keywords CEO interview | The DeanBeat
- Keywords, a leader in external development for the game industry with 13,000 game developers worldwide, has helped create a structural change allowing ambitious game studios to operate with a flexible workforce.
- Bertran Bodson, CEO of Keywords, discussed the state of gaming in 2025 and the shift towards quality and long-term trust in partners among top game companies.
- Keywords serves most top 25 game companies, emphasizing a 'massive shift to quality' and trust in long-term partners such as Keywords for co-development and various gaming projects.
- The industry has seen significant changes with a move from fixed costs to variable costs, allowing publishers to keep core teams while relying on partners for specific aspects of game development.
- External development companies like Keywords provide a cushion for game makers, enabling flexible workforce allocation and smoother transitions between projects.
- The focus on quality, trust, and long-term partnerships is key in navigating industry challenges and achieving growth, with Keywords playing a pivotal role in this transformation.
- Keywords emphasizes leveraging technology, such as AI, for creativity and efficiencies, with a forward-looking approach to staying ahead in the industry and fostering innovation.
- Bodson highlights the importance of trust, culture, and collaboration in external development partnerships, ensuring secure and reliable project execution while fostering creativity and growth.
- Looking ahead, Bodson anticipates 2026 to be a year of significant growth and recovery for the industry, following what may be a challenging 2025.
- Keywords' strategy includes market expansion, operational enhancements, tech investments, and strategic acquisitions to support its evolution as a key player in external development for the game industry.
- The company serves as a platform for talent growth, offering opportunities for individuals to enter the industry and advance their careers through diverse experiences and tech-driven innovations.
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