London Stock Exchange-listed Keywords Studios, which boasts more than 70 offices across 23 countries, has already started recruiting game engineers and artists in anticipation of opening a new office in Adelaide by Christmas.

The Dublin-headquartered company will receive $100,000 over 12 months from the Department for Trade and Investment as part of the state government’s “South Australian Landing Pad” program, which offers incentives to interstate and overseas companies to invest in SA.

The Adelaide studio will grow over the next three years to employ more than 50 people, the state government says.

Keywords Studios offers external video game development services to high-profile content creators and publishers, including Microsoft, Google, SEGA, Nintendo, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft.

Founded in 1998, the company has worked on dozens of major titles, most notably global online video game sensation Fortnite as well as Rocket League, NBA 2K, Madden, HALO, Clash Royale and Minecraft.

Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said Keywords will be the “first large, internationally renowned studios to establish a presence in South Australia”.

“Keywords Studios will be a welcome addition to our creative industries ecosystem and will provide opportunities for South Australians to work on some of the most exciting games in the world,” he said in a statement.

“The gaming industry in South Australia continues to thrive, with the sector more than doubling its economic contribution to the state at $36.2 million in Industry Gross Value Added – up 66 per cent.”

Keywords looms as the second major video game development company to reside in Adelaide alongside independent ASX-listed game developer Mighty Kingdom, which has recently hit financial trouble.

Other smaller studios, such as Foxie Ventures and Mini Mammoth Games, also contribute to the local sector.

Keywords’ Adelaide move comes after the company opened an office in Melbourne last year following their acquisition of Australian game development company Tantalus Media.

The Irish gaming giant, which listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013, recorded revenue of €512.2m and before tax profits of €86.0m last calendar year.

InDaily asked whether the company was given any tax breaks to open its studio in Adelaide.

In response, a government spokesperson said the South Australian Video Game Development rebate was available “if the company would like to apply, and they have met the necessary criteria of the rebate program”.

The tax scheme offers a 10 per cent rebate on costs incurred to develop a video game in South Australia which have a minimum spend of $250,000.

The spokesperson also said the Department of Trade and Investment will assist Keywords in finding “short-term accommodation” ahead of finding a longer-term studio.

“DTI and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency are assisting Keywords to find a suitable location for their studio in the CBD vicinity,” the spokesperson said.