Games aren’t just about spectacular visuals or immersive storytelling - what happens behind the scenes is often just as pivotal to a title’s success. Multiplayer connectivity, real-time data handling, and cost-conscious infrastructure all ride on the strength of backend engineering.

To get an inside view of how our co-development studio handles these demands, we sat down with Phil Rogers, Head of Engineering at MPG, in conversation with interviewer Alex Lambert. Phil gave us a candid look at MPG’s approach to backend solutions, our recent AWS Partner status, and the nuances of powering live-service games for studios of all sizes.

Alex (Alex Lambert): “So, can you give me a quick overview of MPG's backend services? What makes them unique compared to your competitors?”

Phil: “So on the back end… what we do is either take existing code and make it better or add new features. We work on a wide range of languages - C#, Golang, JavaScript, TypeScript, and more if needed - basically whatever it takes to build what a game needs. A lot of that is hosted on AWS, which is partly why we became AWS partners. But we’ve also done work on other cloud platforms.”

According to Phil, a key differentiator is that MPG’s backend specialists are also gamers at heart. They aren’t isolated from the rest of development, nor are they purely “generic” consultants who treat backend issues in a silo. Instead, MPG’s engineers work closely with gameplay teams - sometimes even carrying Unreal Engine experience - to integrate server logic with front-end systems.

“We know what makes a game work and how to build systems that are performant and low latency,” Phil explains. “We’re not just sitting in our own bubble on the back end. We interface with client-side developers, so we really understand how these systems mesh with the overall game experience.”

While MPG’s background includes collaborations with major AAA publishers, Phil is quick to note that our approach scales up or down.

Alex: “What types of game studios and projects benefit the most from MPG’s backend solutions?”

Phil: “Honestly, everyone. We’ve supported smaller developers who just need a few people on a project to get them to release-ready state, and we’ve also partnered on AAA titles - though we can’t always name names. Our engineers bring best practices for both ends of the scale, and that experience carries over whether we’re dealing with a brand-new indie or a big legacy project.”

At the heart of MPG’s services is an awareness of publisher costs and the changing tides of the live-service model. Some studios want massive, server-authoritative infrastructure. Others seek lighter or hybrid solutions to manage budget. MPG’s job is to tailor the backend approach to each project’s needs - no matter the size or complexity.

Alex: “MPG is now an official AWS partner. What does that mean for you - and for your clients?”

Phil: “For us, it’s formal validation that our engineers know AWS inside and out. They went through serious training and certification - things they already knew in practice, but now we have that official accreditation to prove it. It’s also a way to get our name out there for studios specifically looking for an AWS-savvy co-development partner.”

Despite this new stamp of approval, MPG remains vendor-neutral. While AWS is often the go-to for large-scale games, we’ve also deployed on Azure or other platforms when required. The AWS endorsement simply assures prospective clients that MPG meets rigorous, industry-recognised cloud standards and can handle large-scale infrastructures when needed.

Though specific client names are sometimes under wraps, Phil mentions AAA games where MPG has brought performance gains, scalable architecture, and quick feature turnaround - often in the realm of millions of concurrent players.

“We help publishers deploy infrastructure on the cloud so they can handle launches, expansions, or sudden spikes in player count,” Phil notes. “And it’s not just about throwing more servers at the problem - it’s building a system that’s cost-efficient and fits a studio’s exact needs.”

He also mentions long-term engagements where MPG remains involved far past the initial launch. When publishers see the code quality and the consultative value MPG brings, they frequently keep them on board for ongoing updates or live service expansions. “They like what we do,” Phil says plainly. “That’s why they tend to stick around.”

The conversation turns to the future of cloud-based backend services. Phil believes studios will increasingly demand ways to reduce overhead:

“Publishers are going to be careful about their spend. Even if AWS (or any cloud) is cheaper than setting up your own servers, costs add up - especially if you’re running a live service for years. Our goal is to optimise that. That can mean exploring peer-to-peer approaches or partial hosting, so you’re not constantly spinning up a giant server infrastructure.”

That doesn’t mean full-scale backends are going away. Many multiplayer titles still need server-authoritative logic to manage cheats, maintain fairness, and handle large volumes of data. But MPG prides itself on tailoring the solution, whether that’s a robust, AWS-based micro-services infrastructure, or a leaner approach minimising live-service expenses.

Wrapping up the interview, Phil underscores that MPG is not just a “backend house,” but an end-to-end co-development studio. Our engineers understand code, front-end requirements, and the entire game development cycle. That broad perspective helps them anticipate bottlenecks before they arise, or optimise beyond simply “upgrading servers.”

“With MPG, you don’t just get the expertise of the people on your project,” Phil says. “You get the collective knowledge of the whole company - engineers who’ve been building and shipping games for 10+ years.”

As game development continues to evolve - with publishers balancing cost, performance, and long-term service ambitions - having a versatile, battle-tested backend partner is a must. MPG’s AWS accreditation is simply the latest badge confirming what many AAA and indie studios already know: MPG’s deep technical skill, holistic approach to gameplay, and seasoned engineering team make it an ideal co-development ally.

“We want people to remember who MPG is,” Phil says with a smile. “Yes, we’ve got the AWS Partner badge now, but more than that, we’ve always had the talent and love for games to build solutions that stand the test of time.”

Whether you’re an indie with a tight timeline or a global publisher aiming for scalable live ops, MPG can help plan, build, and optimise your game backend for the modern market. Talk to Phil and our Future Development team to get started.