[Industry news] CodeDev Targets Triple-Digit Growth; Reunites Former MPG Leadership with Appointment of Andy Norman as COO

This is a press release posted in addition to our usual editorial content.

CodeDev (popularly known as “The Unreal Guys”), the specialist Unreal Engine co-development studio, today announced the appointment of industry adept Andy Norman as Chief Operating Officer (COO), as they aim to triple headcount in 2026.

The move marks a high-profile reunion for Andy Norman and CodeDev Chair Rik Alexander. The duo famously led The Multiplayer Group (MPG) through a period of historic scaling; Rik founded the studio and oversaw its sale to Improbable in 2019, while Andy subsequently took the helm as CEO, navigating the team to circa 400 people and a £76.5m acquisition by Keywords Studios in 2023.

Andy joins CodeDev following his tenure as a Studio Leader within the Keywords Create Division, bringing elite operational experience to a studio currently experiencing a “sharp trajectory” of organic growth.

Defying current industry contraction trends, CodeDev is set to move from 40 to a projected 80-strong team this year. This rapid expansion is fueled by surging demand for the studio’s core specialisms of multiplayer engineering and complex engine optimisation.

Andy Norman, incoming COO, said:
“This is the third time I’ve worked with Rik Alexander, and good things always happen. CEO Myke Parrott is equally as driven and committed.

“Experience has shown me that growth is an output of what you put in: the culture and working practices. If you start off with a goal of hitting a particular margin or revenue, then that dictates a lot about the business, and how the relationships with partners operate. We will instead put those partners first: understand and be invested in success, as they see it. I’m talking about staff as well as customers. We will aim to get those relationships right. And that will produce long-term success.”

The appointment of Andy Norman completes a significant leadership reinforcement following the recent additions of Steve Bedford (Technical Director) and Liam McDonald (Design Director).

Myke Parrott, CEO of CodeDev, commented:
“Rik and Andy have a history of building industry titans. With our reputation for solving the hardest problems in Unreal Engine, demand has reached a point where we need elite operational leadership to manage our trajectory. Andy is a master of nurturing culture at scale, so he is the perfect fit to help us grow.”

CodeDev continues to solidify its position as a primary partner for the industry’s biggest players. The studio recently deployed a specialist optimisation team for Hangar 13’s Mafia: Old Country, further strengthening its relationship with 2K. The leadership team also boasts a deep history of collaboration with Epic Games, Sony, Microsoft, and ZeniMax Online Studios.

By leveraging a “remote-friendly” model, CodeDev continues to attract predominantly senior talent, with an average of 10 years of Unreal Engine experience per person.