2K (company)

2K
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedJanuary 25, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-01-25) in New York City, U.S.
Headquarters
Novato, California
,
US
Key people
Products
Number of employees
~4,000
ParentTake-Two Interactive
SubsidiariesSee § Studios
Website2k.com

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

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2K's original logo

On January 24, 2005, Take-Two Interactive acquired Visual Concepts, developer ofNBA 2K, NHL 2K, and MLB 2K. Take-Two paid Sega US$24 million for Visual Concepts, its Kush Games subsidiary and the 2K series' intellectual property.[2][3] On January 25, 2005, Take-Two established the 2K Publishing label including its 2K Games and 2K Sports sub-labels.[4][5][6] In January 2006, some of 2K's New York City offices were damaged by a five-alarm fire.[7] In June 2007, the company relocated to Novato, California, alongside Visual Concepts.[8] A third sub-label, 2K Play, was established in September 2007 to focus on casual games. Later that year, Take-Two partnered with Nickelodeon to license games based on its shows.[9][10] 2K Play absorbed all assets of Take-Two's budget-range publisher Global Star Software, including Cat Daddy Games, Carnival Games and games based on Deal or No Deal.[11] In January 2013, 2K obtained the rights to publish video games based on WWE.[12]

Christoph Hartmann, former President of 2K announced his resignation in May 2017[13] after nearly two decades with Take-Two.[14][15] David Ismailer, who previously served as 2K's chief operating officer (COO), was named 2K's new President.[16][17] Phil Dixon, formerly of Betfair, joined 2K as COO in November 2017.[18] In September 2018, 2K created 2K Foundations, a social impact program that builds community and youth engagement programs and spaces for underserved communities around the world. Since its founding, dozens of NBA and WNBA stars have teamed up with 2K Foundations to refurbish more than 50 basketball courts at community centers for kids across 6 continents.[19][20]

2K Studios

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Defunct Studios

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Games Published by 2K

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Main article: List of 2K games

Previously Published 2K Games

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2K Games Launcher

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2K released a proprietary game launcher for computer users in 2022 alongside quality of life updates the BioShock franchise. The new game launcher gave players the opportunity to buy add on content for games. The launcher was criticized for breaking games on Linux, including on the Steam Deck.[49] Future 2K releases also utilized the launcher. Fans of Marvel's Midnight Suns, felt the launcher impacted the game's performance. [50]

2K is driven to create unforgettable games that players love. They heard the feedback and began phasing out the launcher, removing it from Civilization VI and assuring it wouldn't be used in Civilization VII. [51] On November 18, 2024, 2K removed the launcher from every game on both Steam and Epic Games' storefronts.[52][53]

References

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  1. ^ Wagner, Kurt (September 16, 2016). "Here's what it's like to be scanned into an NBA video game". Vox. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  2. ^ Feldman, Curt (January 24, 2005). "Sega officially out of the sports game". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Adams, David (January 24, 2005). "Take Two Buys Visual Concepts". IGN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Good, Owen (May 23, 2012). "A Terrible Decision Created MLB 2K—But It Also Brought Us BioShock". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  5. ^ Robinson, Jon (January 25, 2005). "Take-Two Opens 2K Games". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  6. ^ Winegarner, Beth (January 25, 2005). "Take-Two pitches new label; sports high on the agenda". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  7. ^ Adams, David (January 23, 2006). "2K Games Office Damaged in Fire". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  8. ^ Breckon, Nick (June 15, 2007). "2K Games Closes NYC Office, Heads West". Shacknews. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  9. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (September 10, 2007). "Take-Two Plays with Nickelodeon". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  10. ^ Androvich, Mark (September 10, 2007). "Nickelodeon enters agreement with new 2K Play label". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  11. ^ Kuchera, Ben (September 10, 2007). "Take-Two partners with Nickelodeon, launches casual game label 2K Play". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  12. ^ George, Richard (January 23, 2013). "WWE Video Game License to be Acquired by Take Two". IGN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  13. ^ Shea, Brian (May 4, 2017). "President Of 2K Games Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  14. ^ Dring, Christopher (May 4, 2017). "2K president Christoph Hartmann departs". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  15. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (May 4, 2017). "2K Games President Christoph Hartmann Leaves Company". IGN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  16. ^ Kerr, Chris (May 31, 2017). "Take-Two appoints David Ismailer as president of 2K Games". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  17. ^ Handrahan, Matthew (May 31, 2017). "David Ismailer steps in as new 2K president". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  18. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (July 23, 2018). "2K's light slate belies bigger ambitions". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Handrahan, Matthew (September 26, 2018). "2K Foundations to provide basketball and STEM education facilities in US cities". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Kato, Matthew (September 25, 2018). "2K Foundations Started To Help Communities Through Basketball". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  21. ^ "About". Cat Daddy Games. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  22. ^ Hruby, Patrick (September 18, 2018). "Inside NBA 2K's Journey to the Top of Sports Gaming". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  23. ^ Carless, Simon (November 7, 2005). "Take-Two Acquires Firaxis Games". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  24. ^ Schreier, Jason (April 13, 2018). "How The Makers Of Mafia III Lost Their Way". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  25. ^ Phillips, Tom (December 9, 2019). "New BioShock game announced, still "several" years away". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  26. ^ McWhertor, Michael (February 4, 2019). "2K opens new studio led by Sledgehammer Games co-founder". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  27. ^ Ivan, Tom (February 11, 2020). "2K's new 31st Union studio is making an 'ambitious and inspired original IP'". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  28. ^ Fahey, Mike (March 16, 2021). "2K Signs Tiger Woods, Buys The Studio Behind PGA Tour 2K21". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  29. ^ "2K Sports Lab". 2K Sports Lab.
  30. ^ a b c Carcasole, David (June 12, 2024). "Take-Two Now Officially Owns Gearbox Entertainment As Acquisition Closes". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "2K Chengdu". 2K China. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014.
  32. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (November 7, 2012). "Take-Two moving QA studio to Nevada". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  33. ^ "About". 2K Vegas. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  34. ^ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mass-media
  35. ^ "Home". 2K Madrid. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  36. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (November 9, 2021). "2K acquires Elite3D". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  37. ^ Sarkar, Samit (April 15, 2015). "2K Australia is shutting down". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  38. ^ Carless, Simon (May 9, 2006). "E3: Take-Two Interactive Establishes 2K Shanghai Studio". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  39. ^ a b Makuch, Eddie (November 6, 2015). "Borderlands Online Canceled, Developer Shuttered". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  40. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (January 4, 2018). "Have you seen these studios?". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  41. ^ "2K Hangzhou". 2K China. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014.
  42. ^ a b c d Plunkett, Luke (January 16, 2012). "Every Game Studio That's Closed Down Since 2006". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  43. ^ Kohler, Chris (December 17, 2007). "Rumor Roundup: What's Up With 2K Marin And BioShock". Wired. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  44. ^ Schreier, Jason (December 9, 2019). "Sources: The New BioShock Has Been In The Works For Years". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  45. ^ Bernstein, Rachel (2007). "History". Sidecar Studios. Archived from the original on March 20, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  46. ^ Pereira, Chris (February 23, 2017). "Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  47. ^ Thorsen, Tor (March 7, 2006). "PopTop folded into Firaxis?". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  48. ^ "Venom Games to close?". MCV. July 2, 2008. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  49. ^ Wolens, Joshua (September 5, 2022). "2K's 'quality of life' change for BioShock is that Linux users can't play it anymore". PC Gamer. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  50. ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns PC users are bypassing the 2K Launcher for better results". Eurogamer.net. December 14, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  51. ^ Woods, Sam (August 15, 2024). "Civilization 6 Finally Gets Rid Of 2K Launcher On Steam, Civ 7 To Follow". TheGamer. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  52. ^ "[2K Launcher] Complete Sunset". 2K Support. October 28, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  53. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 26, 2024). "The 2K Launcher Is No More — You Can Now Launch 2K's PC Games Directly in Steam". IGN. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
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