2K Games has announced the formation of Small Axe Studios, a new development team dedicated to building a new sports franchise. While the publisher, owned by Take-Two Interactive, has not explicitly named the sport, industry indicators strongly suggest an entry into the soccer game market, potentially challenging EA Sports FC.
Small Axe Studios is helmed by Aaron McHardy, who previously led EA's FIFA franchise for 15 years. The studio's roster also includes several other former EA developers, including Gary Peterson as head of design, Tom Pan as head of operations, technical art director John Cruz, and engineering lead Mike Thompson. This collective experience in a leading soccer simulation game positions the new studio to compete in the genre.
Further fueling speculation is the Small Axe Studios logo, which bears a resemblance to a soccer club badge often seen on team kits. EA has long dominated the soccer game landscape on consoles and PC, particularly after its split with FIFA in 2023 and subsequent rebranding to EA Sports FC. The international soccer body has maintained its brand presence in the mobile space and with a World Cup game on Netflix.
The timing of this move could prove advantageous, coinciding with a surge in global interest in soccer following the recent FIFA World Cup, which saw record viewership. Small Axe Studios joins 2K's existing portfolio of sports titles, which includes successful franchises like NBA 2K, PGA Tour 2K, and WWE 2K. These games have consistently generated significant revenue for Take-Two Interactive, not only through initial sales but also through various in-game microtransactions. Both Take-Two Interactive and EA have faced criticism from players regarding aggressive monetization strategies and the implementation of mechanics perceived as pay-to-win.