Irish technology firm Keywords Studios will attempt to grow its status in the video games industry by becoming a public company.

The business, which has recently provided services in the production of titles including Pro Evolution Soccer 2013, Halo 4 and Farmville 2, was founded in 2008 and has 120 staff.

With bases in Dublin, Tokyo, Rome and North America, Keywords Studios reported revenues of €14.3 million (£12.2 million) and profits of €2.74 million for 2012.

Commenting on the proposed listing, Keywords Studios chief executive Andrew Day says, ‘Over the last few years, we have grown rapidly to secure a strong position in the global video games technical services industry.’

Day says that the IPO on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) will provide access to capital to fund the company’s organic and acquisitive growth plans, as well as a partial exit for its founders.

Keywords Studios has video games clients including Microsoft, Namco and Electronic Arts and has also secured Disney and Blizzard Entertainment as recent customer wins.

According to figures from professional services firm PwC, the global video games industry was worth $63.4 billion in 2012 and is forecast to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5 per cent through to 2017.

Day adds, ‘This is an exciting time for Keywords as we seek to build on our success to date by extending our service offering and geographical footprint to take advantage of the high growth forecasted in the global video games industry.’