Irish video game company Keyword Studios cutting 130 SF jobs

June 24, 2026 - 06:08

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Keywords International Limited Group, a video game services company that was founded in Ireland, has announced plans to eliminate nearly 130 positions from its San Francisco operations. The layoffs were disclosed in a filing with the state's Employment Development Department, which confirmed the company's intent to reduce its local workforce.

The job cuts are expected to affect employees at the company's San Francisco office, which provides a range of support services for the video game industry, including art production, audio engineering, and quality assurance. Keywords Studios has grown rapidly over the past decade by acquiring smaller studios and offering outsourced services to major game publishers.

The company has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the reductions, but the move follows a broader trend of layoffs across the video game sector. In recent months, several major game developers and publishers have trimmed staff, citing shifting market conditions and a need to streamline operations after a period of rapid expansion during the pandemic.

Affected workers in San Francisco will receive severance packages and transition support, according to the filing. The layoffs are scheduled to take effect in phases over the coming weeks.