Chris Kerr,

Senior Editor, News,GameDeveloper.com

June 26, 2026

1 Min Read

Game service provider Keywords has laid off 128 workers based in San Francisco.

A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN notice) filed in California on June 22, 2026, confirms almost 130 jobs have been eliminated at the company's office on 350 Bush St. It's currently unclear what roles or departments have been impacted.

Keywords was acquired by Swedish investor EQT at a valuation of £2.2 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2024 and is best known for offering a range of game development services covering localization, marketing, audio development, art production, QA testing, and more.

The company previously laid off an undisclosed number of employees at its Lively Games subsidiary in 2024. More recently, translator unions Audiovisual Translators Europe (AVTE) and Tramiti called out the company for allegedly lowballing contract workers.

Keywords has also made headlines for failing to credit translators, and in 2024 agreed to work with Ubisoft to amend the credits of Skull & Bones after a report from Game Developer found both companies neglected to properly credit some people who had worked on the game.

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Game Developer has reached out to Keywords for comment.

About the Author

Chris Kerr

Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton.