Keywords acquires Age of Empires Definitive Editions studio Forgotten Empires

pcgamesinsider.biz:

Software and services giant Keywords is buying developer Forgotten Empires.

The company is shelling out an undisclosed amount for the studio, which has worked on Age of Empires Definitive Editions, Age of Mythology: Extended Edition and Age of Empires IV. During this process, the outfit has worked with some of Keywords other developers, such as Tantalus, Wicked Witch and Climax.

"We are very excited to welcome Ryan and the Forgotten Empires team to Keywords," Keywords CEO Bertrand Bodson (pictured) said.

"The studio has been instrumental in helping to create, design and grow the hugely successful and expanding Age of Empires series. Forgotten Empires’ talented team brings experience and expertise particularly in real time strategy games and will be a great addition to our client offering and game development capability. Forgotten Empires’ strong track record of attracting and retaining talent globally is a testament to Ryan, his team and the high quality of the work that the studio produces. We look forward to supporting Forgotten Empires’ continuing growth as part of the Group."

Forgotten Empires studio head Ryan Shepherd added: "We are delighted to join Keywords Studios, an industry leading, fast growing business with a global footprint. We are really excited that they share our ambition and will provide the support to enable and underpin our continuing growth. Having worked alongside some of Keywords’ development studios we know the cultural fit will work well and we look forward to working more closely together with the wider Keywords’ group to drive the combined business forward."

Back at Gamescom 2019, we caught up with Age of Empires creative director Adam Isgreen to discuss the state of the brand.