Video game developer Virtuos today announced the acquisition of Beyond-FX, a full-service visual effects studio in Los Angeles. This move expands Virtuos’ portfolio to include real-time VFX, a highly specialized skillset that demands a blend of artistry and technical finesse. Virtuos states it is committed to supporting the growth of Beyond-FX, the continued development of its artists and providing its unparalleled expertise to clients worldwide.
Founded in 2015 by Keith Guerrette, Beyond-FX is a preeminent studio in the field of real-time VFX for AAA games. As a full-service co-development team, its services cover all stages of VFX production from concept to implementation and optimization. The studio’s award-winning team of 39 has contributed to over 100 projects that most recently include 2XKO, Mortal Kombat 1, Valorant, The Callisto Protocol, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Legends of Runeterra, God of War, Rocket League and What Remains of Edith Finch.
Following the acquisition, Beyond-FX will continue to be led by Guerrette as General Manager. Guerrette is an award-winning VFX artist known for his groundbreaking work in immersive visual technology for narrative-driven video games such as The Last of Us and Uncharted. Alongside Beyond-FX, he founded RealtimeVFX.com, an online community for knowledge exchange among fellow VFX artists.
“Beyond-FX’s goal today, as it was when we started nearly a decade ago, is to give developers worldwide access to the industry’s best craft and technical VFX artists who work collaboratively as fully integrated members of our clients’ teams,” said Guerrette. “With this vision, we’ve evolved from a small boutique studio in Los Angeles to a multinational business that supports developers across the Americas and Europe. That evolution continues as we are thrilled to have joined Virtuos. We’ll continue delivering groundbreaking work and fostering exceptional relationships with clients around the world, leveraging Virtuos’ global expertise and network of talented studios.”
He added, “What’s even more exciting is our shared vision with Virtuos of shaping the future of co-development in gaming. In collaboration with Virtuos’ passionate teams, Beyond-FX will help define a new industry standard focused on providing quality services through strong partnerships, efficiency through flexible collaboration, and the creation of great games by pushing the artistic boundaries of what’s possible in game engines.”
Dennis Cooper, Regional Director of North America at Virtuos, commented, “We greatly appreciate the addition of Beyond-FX to Virtuos. Keith and his team are undisputedly passionate about their craft and like us, are heavily invested in education and developing new technologies. Together with Beyond-FX, our teams at CounterPunch and Virtuos Montreal, we look forward to expanding and deepening the services we offer to our valued partners in North America, our largest market to date.”
The acquisition marks a continual expansion of Virtuos’ global presence and service offerings, furthering its ambition of becoming the top external game developer globally. In the past year, Virtuos has expanded into Dalat with its art production studio Glass Egg, launched a studio in Tokyo, and engineering-focused Virtuos Labs in Warsaw and Prague.
