How Testronic continues to evolve and meet its partners' ever-changing needs in a rapidly evolving industry

It's just over a year since Steve Trowbridge took up the reins as CEO at Catalis Group – parent company to Testronic, Secret 6, Giant Worldwide and Curve Games. And following the departure of erstwhile Testronic chief executive Mike Betti earlier this year, Trowbridge has been hands-on with the art, development, QA, Localisation and Player Support specialist.

With Testronic embarking on a period of significant growth and change, encompassing office expansions and additions, investment in new technology and new ways of working for its teams, Gamesindustry.biz sat down with Trowbridge to discuss Testronic's new initiatives and ambitions for 2025 and beyond.

Firstly, can you talk us through Testronic's current portfolio of offices. Where are they based, and do they focus on a particular service line?

Certainly. Testronic boasts a robust global presence, with over 2,000 employees across 11 major offices spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our services encompass a comprehensive suite of art, development, and testing solutions. While the specific services offered in each location may vary, our commitment to excellence remains constant: delivering a single, unified, high-quality service to clients worldwide.

Since coming on board at Testronic, I've been impressed that regardless of whether a client is working with one of our teams in New Orleans or in Manila, they will enjoy the same consistency of service commitment and support. That's a core tenet of the services we provide and has cemented our reputation as a trusted partner to some of the most innovative gaming and entertainment companies in the world.

In late 2022, you acquired Secret 6, a 2D and 3D art specialist based in Manila. How has that company and new service line been incorporated into the business? And what are your plans for the office going forward?

The acquisition of Secret 6 was a transformative step for Testronic. Secret 6 brought us expertise in art production and development, along with operations in Manila and Madrid, enhancing our ability to offer end-to-end creative solutions alongside our traditional QA, Localisation and Player Support services.

"As the industry evolves, so do the needs of our clients, and we are constantly looking for ways to anticipate and meet those needs"

Looking forward, our expanded Manila office – which formally opens next week – is a major milestone for Secret 6 and Testronic as a whole. We see Manila as both a creative and testing hub and we will continue investing in resources, talent, and infrastructure to expand our capacity and capabilities.

Do you have plans to open any new offices over the coming months and, if so, where and why those particular locations?

Yes, we are thrilled to be formally inaugurating our new Manila facility next week. The space is fully equipped to the high-specification and security standards that any AAA partner of ours would come to expect, and will further solidify our presence in the region, enabling us to meet the growing demand for both QA and creative services.

Additionally, we have recently expanded our Lisbon office and are actively exploring opportunities for further growth in Central Europe and the Americas. We're being very strategic in our approach to expansion: ensuring we match client demand and leverage a rich talent pool. Beyond these, we are constantly reviewing markets to ensure our footprint aligns with the evolving needs of our clients worldwide.

Following the deal with Secret 6, and with Whyttest prior to that, do you envisage further expansion via acquisitions going forward?

Absolutely. Strategic acquisitions are an integral part of our growth strategy. Our focus remains on identifying opportunities that allow us to enhance our service offerings, expand our geographic reach, extend our technology capabilities, and deepen relationships with new and existing customers.

Every acquisition is guided by one question: "Does this make us a better partner to our clients?" If the answer is "yes", we pursue it. This philosophy has driven the successful integration of Secret 6 and Whyttest, and it will continue to shape our approach in the future.

Similarly, having added art to your service lines, are there any other areas Testronic might be interested in diversifying into?

We see Testronic as a comprehensive partner to the gaming and entertainment industry, not just a service provider. As the industry evolves, so do the needs of our clients, and we are constantly looking for ways to anticipate and meet those needs.

While I won't give away specifics, we are deeply interested in exploring areas that complement our existing services. This includes further advancements in technology, such as AI-driven solutions, and expanding our creative offerings to provide even greater value.

How many testers do you have currently, and where do you see that figure in six to 12 months?

I should clarify: whilst we have 'Test' in the name, we're not just a QA company! We have multi-disciplinary teams across art, engineering, test and player support. We currently have over 2,000 colleagues worldwide, and that number is steadily growing. With the expansion of our Manila and Belgrade offices, as well as increased demand for our services, we anticipate this figure will rise in the next six to 12 months.

"Every acquisition is guided by one question: Does this make us a better partner to our clients?"

I also should mention that we're not just seeking to add headcount, but we're also actively investing in the professional development of our teams, too. Each of our colleagues has a vital role to play in supporting some of the world's largest and most successful video games. Investing in the professional development of our teams is critical to ensuring we're delivering the very best service to our clients and keeping pace with the fast-evolving nature of the games industry.

You are about to introduce a globally remote workforce programme. What is the thinking behind this? How will this be deployed? And what benefits do you think it will bring to Testronic and its clients?

Flexibility and agility are the cornerstones of our service delivery. We've seen a number of clients drive a return-to-office programme, and we have been a supportive partner in making these moves happen. However, we have also sought to maintain a strong base of remote workers as it's a model in which we believe very strongly. It helps us to access the best talent worldwide, unbound by geographical constraints.

Testronic embraced remote working well before it became a necessity during the pandemic. As early as 2015, we began investing in advanced technology and streamlined management processes to establish a secure and reliable delivery model. Over time, this model has only grown stronger, bolstered by continued investments both during and after the pandemic, ensuring we remain at the forefront of flexible and efficient service delivery. It's an area we continue to drive, invest in, and believe in.

The benefits are manifold. For our clients, it means faster turnarounds and broader expertise. For Testronic, it solidifies our position as an innovative and adaptive partner, and for our teams, it provides the benefit of flexibility in the way they work

You are also investing in new technology – tell us about this, and what it will bring to Testronic and its clients.

Technology is at the heart of what we do. Across Testronic, we are actively integrating AI and automation solutions into our workflows, from enhancing player support with intelligent systems to streamlining back-office operations.

In addition, we're actively exploring partnerships with cutting-edge tech providers to bring best-in-class solutions to our clients. This dual approach – developing internal capabilities while leveraging external innovations – ensures we stay ahead of the curve.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing QA and Localisation vendors like Testronic, and what are you doing to tackle them?

The biggest challenge for our clients is the need for flexibility in an unpredictable market. As a partner, our role is to provide that flexibility, scaling services up or down as needed and adapting to evolving requirements.

We are also mindful of the technological disruption in our industry. Rather than resist it, we embrace it, using new tools and methodologies to enhance efficiency and maintain the highest standards of quality. By staying client-focused and innovative, we turn these challenges into opportunities for growth.

In 2026 we'll all be talking about…?

By 2026, I believe we'll see a resurgent global market, driven by recovering economies and an explosion of new content in games, TV, and film. AI will move from early adoption to the mainstream; it will be a fully embedded solution in workflows and many aspects of day-to-day life – rather than being a technological solution searching for commercial and practical applications.

For Testronic, 2026 will be about continuing to lead the charge in providing flexible, agile, and innovative solutions that keep pace with a dynamic and exciting industry.