2K (company) explained

2K
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Founded: in New York City, U.S.
Founders:-->
Hq Location City:Novato, California
Hq Location Country:U.S.
Parent:Take-Two Interactive
Subsid:See

2K is an American video game publisher based in Novato, California. The company was founded as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive in January 2005 through the 2K Games and 2K Sports sub-labels. The nascent label incorporated several development studios owned by Take-Two, including Visual Concepts and Kush Games, which had been acquired the day before. Originally based in New York City, 2K moved to Novato in 2007. A third label, 2K Play, was added in September 2007. 2K is governed by David Ismailer as president and Phil Dixon as chief operating officer. It operates a motion capture studio in Petaluma, California.[1]

History

On January 24, 2005, Take-Two Interactive announced its acquisition of Visual Concepts, the developer of sports video game series like NBA 2K, NHL 2K, and MLB 2K. Take-Two paid Sega for the studio, including its Kush Games subsidiary and the intellectual property of the 2K series.[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, alongside Indie Built, Venom Games, PopTop Software, and Frog City Software, became studios of the new label, which also absorbed the staff of Take-Two Licensing.[7] In January 2006, the administration and marketing portions of 2K's New York City offices were heavily damaged by a five-alarm fire.[8] In June 2007, the company closed these offices and relocated to Novato, California, bringing it closer to Visual Concepts.[9] A third sub-label, 2K Play, was established with a focus on casual games in September 2007, with Take-Two announcing a partnership with Nickelodeon for licensed games based on the latter's TV shows.[10] [11] 2K Play therein also absorbed all assets of Take-Two's budget-range publisher Global Star Software, including the studio Cat Daddy Games, the game Carnival Games, and games based on Deal or No Deal.[12] In January 2013, 2K obtained the rights to publish video games based on the professional wrestling company WWE.[13]

Christoph Hartmann, 2K's president, 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, previous chief operating officer (COO), later that month.[17] [18] The COO role was filled by Phil Dixon, formerly of Betfair, in November 2017, while Melissa Bell was hired as senior vice president and 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". Microsoft partnered with 2K to establish gaming stations fitted with Xbox One S consoles at these courts. 2K Foundations planned to refurbish twelve basketball courts in several cities across the United States (including Cincinnati, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Cleveland) within its first year.[20] [21]

In March 2021, 2K acquired HB Studios, which had previously developed The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K21 for the company. The acquisition includes the rights to the Golf Club series, which had been relaunched as the PGA Tour 2K series through a license from the PGA Tour.[22] Additionally, 2K announced it had secured a contract with Tiger Woods, who had previously been a key figure for Electronic Arts' PGA Tour series, as an executive director and consultant for future PGA Tour 2K games, as well as his likeness for the games.[23] Later that month, 2K bought HookBang's games division in Austin, Texas, which had supported work on the NBA 2K series in the past. The studio was relocated to a new Austin location and rebranded as Visual Concepts Austin.[24] In September 2022, 2K's customer support team was hacked, with certain user data stolen and put on sale.[25] [26]

Studios

Defunct

Games published

See main article: List of 2K games.

Former

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Here's what it's like to be scanned into an NBA video game . Kurt . Wagner . September 16, 2016 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816230550/https://www.vox.com/2016/9/16/12907442/nba-2k17-video-game-basketball-scan . live.
  2. Web site: Sega officially out of the sports game . Curt . Feldman . January 24, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . October 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171014034622/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-officially-out-of-the-sports-game/1100-6117016/ . live.
  3. Web site: Take Two Buys Visual Concepts . David . Adams . January 24, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . June 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602004045/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/25/take-two-buys-visual-concepts . live.
  4. Web site: A Terrible Decision Created MLB 2K—But It Also Brought Us BioShock . Owen . Good . May 23, 2012 . . August 27, 2019 . August 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091015/https://kotaku.com/a-terrible-decision-created-mlb-2k-but-it-also-brought-5912820 . live.
  5. Web site: Take-Two Opens 2K Games . Jon . Robinson . January 25, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235628/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/25/take-two-opens-2k-games . live.
  6. Web site: Take-Two pitches new label; sports high on the agenda . Beth . Winegarner . January 25, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . February 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180218024308/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/take-two-pitches-new-label-sports-high-on-the-agenda/1100-6117027/ . live.
  7. Web site: Take-Two Acquires Visual Concepts, Announces 2K Games Brand . David . Jenkins . January 25, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235629/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/95818/TakeTwo_Acquires_Visual_Concepts_Announces_2K_Games_Brand.php . dead.
  8. Web site: 2K Games Office Damaged in Fire . David . Adams . January 23, 2006 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/23/2k-games-office-damaged-in-fire . live.
  9. Web site: 2K Games Closes NYC Office, Heads West . Nick . Breckon . June 15, 2007 . . August 16, 2019 . February 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204070416/http://www.shacknews.com/article/47449/2k-games-closes-nyc-office . live.
  10. Web site: Take-Two Plays with Nickelodeon . Daemon . Hatfield . September 10, 2007 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235636/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/10/take-two-plays-with-nickelodeon . live.
  11. Web site: Nickelodeon enters agreement with new 2K Play label . Mark . Androvich . September 10, 2007 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235631/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/nickelodeon-enters-agreement-with-new-2k-play-label . live.
  12. Web site: Take-Two partners with Nickelodeon, launches casual game label 2K Play . Ben . Kuchera . September 10, 2007 . . August 16, 2019 . February 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204070328/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2007/09/take-two-partners-with-nickelodeon-launches-casual-game-label-2k-play/ . live.
  13. Web site: WWE Video Game License to be Acquired by Take Two . Richard . George . January 23, 2013 . . January 26, 2013 . January 26, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130126060249/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/23/wwe-video-game-license-to-be-acquired-by-take-two . live.
  14. President Of 2K Games Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company . Brian . Shea . May 4, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235635/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/05/04/president-of-2k-games-leaves-company.aspx . dead.
  15. Web site: 2K president Christoph Hartmann departs . Christopher . Dring . May 4, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235636/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-04-2k-president-christoph-hartmann-departs . live.
  16. Web site: 2K Games President Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company . Jonathon . Dornbush . May 4, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/04/2k-games-president-christoph-hartmann-leaves-company . live.
  17. Web site: Take-Two appoints David Ismailer as president of 2K Games . Chris . Kerr . May 31, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235636/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/299055/TakeTwo_appoints_David_Ismailer_as_president_of_2K_Games.php . live.
  18. Web site: David Ismailer steps in as new 2K president . Matthew . Handrahan . May 31, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235627/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-31-david-ismailer-steps-in-as-new-2k-president . live.
  19. Web site: 2K's light slate belies bigger ambitions . Brendan . Sinclair . July 23, 2018 . . August 16, 2019 . November 14, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224655/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-07-23-2ks-light-slate-belies-bigger-ambitions . live.
  20. Web site: 2K Foundations to provide basketball and STEM education facilities in US cities . Matthew . Handrahan . September 26, 2018 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816201158/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-09-26-2k-foundations-to-provide-sporting-and-stem-education-facilities-in-us-cities . live.
  21. 2K Foundations Started To Help Communities Through Basketball . Matthew . Kato . September 25, 2018 . . August 16, 2019 . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035535/https://www.gameinformer.com/2018/09/25/2k-foundations-started-to-help-communities-through-basketball . dead.
  22. Web site: 2K signs exclusive PGA Tour deal with Tiger Woods, acquires PGA Tour 2K21 studio . Stephany . Nunneley . March 16, 2021 . . March 16, 2021 . March 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210316132327/https://www.vg247.com/2021/03/16/pga-tour-2k-21-tiger-woods-2k-golf-deal/ . live.
  23. Web site: 2K Signs Tiger Woods, Buys The Studio Behind PGA Tour 2K21 . Mike . Fahey . March 16, 2021 . . March 16, 2021 . April 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428205116/https://kotaku.com/2k-signs-tiger-woods-buys-the-studio-behind-pga-tour-2-1846485059 . live.
  24. Web site: 2K acquires HookBang games business . Brendan . Sinclair . March 23, 2021 . . March 23, 2021 . March 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210323180722/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-23-2k-acquires-hookbang-games-business . live.
  25. Web site: Rockstar owner Take-Two's hacking woes continue as 2K confirm attack on their support service . CJ . Wheeler . September 21, 2022 . . October 12, 2022 . October 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221012132548/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rockstar-owner-take-twos-hacking-woes-continue-as-2k-confirm-attack-on-their-support-service . live.
  26. Web site: 2K confirms user data stolen and placed on sale after recent security breach . Graham . Smith . October 11, 2022 . . October 12, 2022 . October 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221012132550/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2k-confirms-user-data-stolen-and-placed-on-sale-after-recent-security-breach . live.
  27. Web site: Home . 2K Madrid . December 5, 2022 . April 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210401064314/https://2kmadrid.com/ . live.
  28. Web site: 2K Chengdu . . October 3, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141003172805/http://www.2kchina.com/en/content/2k-chengdu . dead.
  29. Web site: 2K Sports Lab . 2K Sports Lab .
  30. Web site: Take-Two moving QA studio to Nevada . Brendan . Sinclair . November 7, 2012 . . August 27, 2019 . August 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190827090540/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-11-07-take-two-moving-qa-to-nevada . live.
  31. Web site: About . 2K Vegas . August 27, 2019 . September 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170922002354/https://2kvegas.com/ . live.
  32. Web site: 2K acquires Elite3D . Brendan . Sinclair . November 9, 2021 . . February 5, 2024.
  33. Web site: 2K opens new studio led by Sledgehammer Games co-founder . Michael . McWhertor . February 4, 2019 . . August 27, 2019 . August 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190827090545/https://www.polygon.com/2019/2/4/18210572/2k-games-silicon-valley-michael-condrey . live.
  34. Web site: 2K's new 31st Union studio is making an 'ambitious and inspired original IP' . Tom . Ivan . February 11, 2020 . . February 11, 2020 . April 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200427160108/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/2ks-new-31st-union-studio-is-making-an-ambitious-and-inspired-new-ip/ . live.
  35. Web site: About . Cat Daddy Games . August 27, 2019 . January 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150111082211/http://www.catdaddy.com/about.html . dead.
  36. Web site: New BioShock game announced, still "several" years away . Tom . Phillips . December 9, 2019 . . December 9, 2019 . September 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200918181637/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-bioshock-in-development-at-new-2k-studio-cloud-chamber . live.
  37. Web site: Take-Two Acquires Firaxis Games . Simon . Carless . November 7, 2005 . . August 16, 2019 . August 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816235633/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/98052/TakeTwo_Acquires_Firaxis_Games.php . dead.
  38. Web site: How The Makers Of Mafia III Lost Their Way . Jason . Schreier . Jason Schreier . April 13, 2018 . . August 16, 2019 . April 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413232722/https://kotaku.com/how-the-makers-of-mafia-iii-lost-their-way-1825242177 . live.
  39. Web site: Inside NBA 2K's Journey to the Top of Sports Gaming . Patrick . Hruby . September 18, 2018 . . December 10, 2018 . December 14, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181214065406/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2796233-inside-nba2ks-journey-to-the-top-of-sports-gaming . live.
  40. Web site: Carcasole . David . 2024-06-12 . Take-Two Now Officially Owns Gearbox Entertainment As Acquisition Closes . 2024-06-12 . PlayStation Universe . en-US.
  41. Web site: 2K Australia is shutting down . Samit . Sarkar . April 15, 2015 . . August 16, 2019 . July 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170702065118/https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/15/8425885/2k-australia-closing . live.
  42. Web site: E3: Take-Two Interactive Establishes 2K Shanghai Studio . Simon . Carless . May 9, 2006 . . September 22, 2019 . September 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190922152153/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/100197/E3_TakeTwo_Interactive_Establishes_2K_Shanghai_Studio.php . dead.
  43. Web site: Borderlands Online Canceled, Developer Shuttered . Eddie . Makuch . November 6, 2015 . . August 16, 2019 . February 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204123947/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-online-canceled-developer-shuttered/1100-6432074/ . live.
  44. Web site: Have you seen these studios? . Brendan . Sinclair . January 4, 2018 . . August 27, 2019 . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173521/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-01-04-have-you-seen-these-studios . live.
  45. Web site: 2K Hangzhou . . October 3, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141003172805/http://www.2kchina.com/en/content/2k-hangzhou . dead.
  46. Web site: Every Game Studio That's Closed Down Since 2006 . Luke . Plunkett . January 16, 2012 . . August 27, 2019 . June 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602002549/https://kotaku.com/every-game-studio-thats-closed-down-since-2006-5876693 . live.
  47. Rumor Roundup: What's Up With 2K Marin And BioShock . Chris . Kohler . December 17, 2007 . . August 16, 2019 . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173518/https://www.wired.com/2007/12/rumor-roundup-w-2/ . live.
  48. Web site: Sources: The New BioShock Has Been In The Works For Years . Jason . Schreier . Jason Schreier . December 9, 2019 . . December 10, 2019 . December 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191210133535/https://kotaku.com/sources-the-new-bioshock-has-been-in-the-works-for-yea-1840314561 . live.
  49. Web site: History . Rachel . Bernstein . Rachel Bernstein . 2007 . Sidecar Studios . August 27, 2019 . March 20, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070320225535/http://www.sidecarstudios.com/about.html . live.
  50. Web site: Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name . Chris . Pereira . February 23, 2017 . . August 16, 2019 . September 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040642/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-bioshock-studio-irrational-games-adopts-a-n/1100-6448166/ . live.
  51. Web site: PopTop folded into Firaxis? . Tor . Thorsen . March 7, 2006 . . August 16, 2019 . September 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170922002726/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/poptop-folded-into-firaxis/1100-6145569/ . live.
  52. Venom Games to close? . July 2, 2008 . . August 18, 2019 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124154443/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/venom-games-to-close/ . live.

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