2K (company)
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Video games |
Founded | January 25, 2005New York City,U.S. | in
Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | |
Products | |
Parent | Take-Two Interactive |
Subsidiaries | See§ Studios |
Website | 2k |
2Kis an Americanvideo game publisherbased inNovato, California.The company was founded as a subsidiary ofTake-Two Interactivein January 2005 through the 2K Games and 2K Sports sub-labels. The nascent label incorporated several development studios owned by Take-Two, includingVisual ConceptsandKush Games,which had been acquired the day before. Originally based inNew York City,2K moved to Novato in 2007. A third label, 2K Play, was added in September 2007. 2K is governed by David Ismailer aspresidentand Phil Dixon aschief operating officer.It operates amotion capturestudio inPetaluma, California.[1]
History
[edit]On January 24, 2005,Take-Two Interactiveannounced its acquisition ofVisual Concepts,the developer ofsports video gameseries likeNBA 2K,NHL 2K,andMLB 2K.Take-Two paidSegaUS$24 millionfor the studio, including itsKush Gamessubsidiary and theintellectual propertyof the2Kseries.[2][3]On the following day, the company established the 2K publishing label, consisting of the sub-labels 2K Games and 2K Sports, with the latter focusing on sports games.[4][5][6]Visual Concepts and Kush Games, alongsideIndie Built,Venom Games,PopTop Software,andFrog City Software,became studios of the new label, which also absorbed the staff ofTake-Two Licensing.[7]In January 2006, the administration and marketing portions of 2K'sNew York Cityoffices were heavily damaged by afive-alarm fire.[8]In June 2007, the company closed these offices and relocated toNovato, California,bringing it closer to Visual Concepts.[9]A third sub-label, 2K Play, was established with a focus oncasual gamesin September 2007, with Take-Two announcing a partnership withNickelodeonfor licensed games based on the latter's TV shows.[10][11]2K Play therein also absorbed all assets of Take-Two's budget-range publisherGlobal Star Software,including the studioCat Daddy Games,the gameCarnival Games,and games based onDeal or No Deal.[12]In January 2013, 2K obtained the rights to publish video games based on theprofessional wrestlingcompanyWWE.[13]
Christoph Hartmann,2K'spresident,announced his resignation in May 2017.[14]He had worked for Take-Two for roughly twenty years but did not state a reason for his departure.[15][16]He was succeeded by David Ismailer, previouschief operating officer(COO), later that month.[17][18]The COO role was filled by Phil Dixon, formerly ofBetfair,in November 2017, while Melissa Bell was hired assenior vice presidentand head of global marketing in April 2018.[19]In September 2018, 2K announced 2K Foundations, a program that would "support underserved communities across the nation by refurbishing basketball courts in neighborhoods that need them the most".Microsoftpartnered with 2K to establish gaming stations fitted withXbox One Sconsoles at these courts. 2K Foundations planned to refurbish twelve basketball courts in several cities across the United States (includingCincinnati,Baltimore,Los Angeles,Chicago,andCleveland) within its first year.[20][21]
In March 2021, 2K acquiredHB Studios,which had previously developedThe Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA TourandPGA Tour 2K21for the company. The acquisition includes the rights to theGolf Clubseries, which had been relaunched as thePGA Tour 2Kseries through a license from thePGA Tour.[22]Additionally, 2K announced it had secured a contract withTiger Woods,who had previously been a key figure forElectronic Arts'PGA Tourseries, as an executive director and consultant for futurePGA Tour 2Kgames, as well as his likeness for the games.[23]Later that month, 2K bought HookBang's games division inAustin, Texas,which had supported work on theNBA 2Kseries in the past. The studio was relocated to a new Austin location and rebranded as Visual Concepts Austin.[24]In September 2022, 2K'scustomer supportteam was hacked, with certain user data stolen and put on sale.[25][26]
Studios
[edit]- 2K Madrid inMadrid,Spain; founded in June 2021.[27]
- 2K Chengdu inChengdu,China; founded in June 2011.[28]
- 2K Sports Lab inVancouver,British Columbia, Canada; founded in October 2023.[29]
- 2K Vegas inLas Vegas, Nevada,U.S.; founded in 2006 as 2K West, rebranded in 2013.[30][31]
- 2K Valencia inValencia,Spain; founded in 2005 as Elite3D; acquired in November 2021.[32]
- 31st UnioninSan Mateo, California,U.S. andValencia,Spain; founded in 2019 as 2K Silicon Valley, rebranded in 2020.[33][34]
- Cat Daddy GamesinKirkland, Washington,U.S.; founded in 1996, acquired in 2003.[35]
- Cloud ChamberinNovato, California,U.S. andMontreal,Canada; founded in 2019.[36]
- Firaxis GamesinHunt Valley, Maryland,U.S.; founded in 1996, acquired in 2005.[37]
- Hangar 13inNovato, California,U.S.,BrnoandPrague,Czech Republic, andBrighton,England; founded in 2014.[38]
- HB StudiosinLunenberg, Nova Scotia,Canada; founded in 2000, acquired in 2021.[23]
- Visual ConceptsinNovato, California,U.S.; founded in 1988, acquired in 2005.[4][39]
- Gearbox SoftwareinFrisco, Texas,U.S.; founded in 1999, acquired in 2024.[40]
- Mass MediainMoorpark, California,U.S.; founded in the 1980s, acquired in 2018.[41]
Defunct
[edit]- 2K AustraliainCanberra,Australia; founded in 2000, acquired in 2006, closed in 2015.[42]
- 2K ChinainShanghai,China; founded in May 2006, closed in November 2015.[43][44]
- 2K CzechinBrno,Czech Republic; founded in 1997, acquired in 2008, merged into Hangar 13 in 2017.[45]
- 2K Hangzhou inHangzhou,China; founded in 2007, closed in November 2016.[46][44]
- 2K Los AngelesinCamarillo, California,U.S.; founded as Kush Games in 1998, acquired in 2005, closed in 2008.[47]
- 2K MarininNovato, California,U.S.; founded in 2007, closed in 2013.[48][49]
- Frog City SoftwareinSan Francisco,U.S.; founded in 1994, acquired in 2003, closed in 2006.[50]
- Indie BuiltinSalt Lake City,U.S.; founded as Access Software in 1982, acquired and renamed in 2004, closed in 2006.[47]
- Irrational GamesinWestwood, Massachusetts,U.S.; founded in 1997, acquired in 2006, closed in 2017 and succeeded byGhost Story Games.[51]
- PAM Development inParis,France; founded in 1995, acquired in 2005, closed in 2008.[47]
- PopTop SoftwareinFenton, Missouri,U.S.; founded in 1993, acquired in 2000, merged into Firaxis Games in 2006.[52]
- Venom GamesinNewcastle upon Tyne,England; founded in 2003, acquired in 2004, closed in 2008.[47][53]
Games published
[edit]- BioShock(since 2007)
- Borderlands(since 2009)
- Civilization(since 2005)
- Mafia(since 2010)
- X-COM(since 2012)
- NBA 2K(since 2005)
- PGA Tour 2K(since 2018)
- WWE 2K(since 2013)
- Top Spin(2005–2011, since 2024)
Former
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Wagner, Kurt (September 16, 2016)."Here's what it's like to be scanned into an NBA video game".Vox.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Feldman, Curt (January 24, 2005)."Sega officially out of the sports game".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2017.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Adams, David (January 24, 2005)."Take Two Buys Visual Concepts".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^abGood, Owen (May 23, 2012)."A Terrible Decision CreatedMLB 2K—But It Also Brought UsBioShock".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2019.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Robinson, Jon (January 25, 2005)."Take-Two Opens 2K Games".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Winegarner, Beth (January 25, 2005)."Take-Two pitches new label; sports high on the agenda".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Jenkins, David (January 25, 2005)."Take-Two Acquires Visual Concepts, Announces 2K Games Brand".Gamasutra.Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Adams, David (January 23, 2006)."2K Games Office Damaged in Fire".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Breckon, Nick (June 15, 2007)."2K Games Closes NYC Office, Heads West".Shacknews.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Hatfield, Daemon (September 10, 2007)."Take-Two Plays with Nickelodeon".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Androvich, Mark (September 10, 2007)."Nickelodeon enters agreement with new 2K Play label".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Kuchera, Ben (September 10, 2007)."Take-Two partners with Nickelodeon, launches casual game label 2K Play".Ars Technica.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^George, Richard (January 23, 2013)."WWE Video Game License to be Acquired by Take Two".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
- ^Shea, Brian (May 4, 2017)."President Of 2K Games Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Dring, Christopher (May 4, 2017)."2K president Christoph Hartmann departs".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Dornbush, Jonathon (May 4, 2017)."2K Games President Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Kerr, Chris (May 31, 2017)."Take-Two appoints David Ismailer as president of 2K Games".Gamasutra.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Handrahan, Matthew (May 31, 2017)."David Ismailer steps in as new 2K president".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (July 23, 2018)."2K's light slate belies bigger ambitions".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Handrahan, Matthew (September 26, 2018)."2K Foundations to provide basketball and STEM education facilities in US cities".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Kato, Matthew (September 25, 2018)."2K Foundations Started To Help Communities Through Basketball".Game Informer.Archived fromthe originalon December 26, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Nunneley, Stephany (March 16, 2021)."2K signs exclusive PGA Tour deal with Tiger Woods, acquires PGA Tour 2K21 studio".VG247.Archivedfrom the original on March 16, 2021.RetrievedMarch 16,2021.
- ^abFahey, Mike (March 16, 2021)."2K Signs Tiger Woods, Buys The Studio BehindPGA Tour 2K21".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2021.RetrievedMarch 16,2021.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (March 23, 2021)."2K acquires HookBang games business".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on March 23, 2021.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
- ^Wheeler, CJ (September 21, 2022)."Rockstar owner Take-Two's hacking woes continue as 2K confirm attack on their support service".Rock Paper Shotgun.Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2022.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
- ^Smith, Graham (October 11, 2022)."2K confirms user data stolen and placed on sale after recent security breach".Rock Paper Shotgun.Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2022.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
- ^"Home".2K Madrid.Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2021.RetrievedDecember 5,2022.
- ^"2K Chengdu".2K China.Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2014.
- ^"2K Sports Lab".2K Sports Lab.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (November 7, 2012)."Take-Two moving QA studio to Nevada".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2019.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^"About".2K Vegas.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2017.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (November 9, 2021)."2K acquires Elite3D".GamesIndustry.biz.RetrievedFebruary 5,2024.
- ^McWhertor, Michael (February 4, 2019)."2K opens new studio led by Sledgehammer Games co-founder".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2019.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Ivan, Tom (February 11, 2020)."2K's new 31st Union studio is making an 'ambitious and inspired original IP'".Video Games Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 11,2020.
- ^"About".Cat Daddy Games. Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2015.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Phillips, Tom (December 9, 2019)."New BioShock game announced, still" several "years away".Eurogamer.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2020.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
- ^Carless, Simon (November 7, 2005)."Take-Two Acquires Firaxis Games".Gamasutra.Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2019.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Schreier, Jason(April 13, 2018)."How The Makers OfMafia IIILost Their Way ".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on April 13, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Hruby, Patrick (September 18, 2018)."Inside NBA 2K's Journey to the Top of Sports Gaming".Bleacher Report.Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2018.RetrievedDecember 10,2018.
- ^abcCarcasole, David (June 12, 2024)."Take-Two Now Officially Owns Gearbox Entertainment As Acquisition Closes".PlayStation Universe.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
- ^https:// linkedin /company/mass-media
- ^Sarkar, Samit (April 15, 2015)."2K Australia is shutting down".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on July 2, 2017.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Carless, Simon (May 9, 2006)."E3: Take-Two Interactive Establishes 2K Shanghai Studio".Gamasutra.Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019.
- ^abMakuch, Eddie (November 6, 2015)."Borderlands Online Canceled, Developer Shuttered".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (January 4, 2018)."Have you seen these studios?".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on February 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^"2K Hangzhou".2K China.Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2014.
- ^abcdPlunkett, Luke (January 16, 2012)."Every Game Studio That's Closed Down Since 2006".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2019.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Kohler, Chris (December 17, 2007)."Rumor Roundup: What's Up With 2K Marin AndBioShock".Wired.Archivedfrom the original on February 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Schreier, Jason(December 9, 2019)."Sources: The NewBioShockHas Been In The Works For Years ".Kotaku.Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2019.RetrievedDecember 10,2019.
- ^Bernstein, Rachel(2007)."History".Sidecar Studios.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2007.RetrievedAugust 27,2019.
- ^Pereira, Chris (February 23, 2017)."Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2017.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Thorsen, Tor (March 7, 2006)."PopTop folded into Firaxis?".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2017.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^"Venom Games to close?".MCV.July 2, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on January 24, 2021.RetrievedAugust 18,2019.
External links
[edit]- 2K (company)
- 2005 establishments in New York (state)
- American companies established in 2005
- Companies based in Marin County, California
- Novato, California
- Software companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Take-Two Interactive divisions and subsidiaries
- Video game companies based in California
- Video game companies established in 2005
- Video game publishers
- Video game publishing brands