2K launches new studio to build its ‘next blockbuster sports franchise’

2K is launching a new AAA game development studio, Small Axe Studios, with an ambitious goal: to build the company’s “next blockbuster sports franchise,” according to a LinkedIn post. The post doesn’t explicitly say what sport this new game will focus on. But an image included in the post features what appears to be a mockup soccer badge, indicating that Small Axe might be making a soccer game that goes head-to-head with EA Sports FC. The Small Axe website also lists senior staffers with experience working on EA’s FIFA series (the former name of EA Sports FC), including studio head Aaron McHardy, who once led that franchise. Small Axe was born from 2K Sports Lab, a project 2K announced in 2023. Whatever this new game is, it will add to 2K’s existing roster of games covering sports such as basketball (NBA 2K), wrestling (WWE 2K), and golf (PGA Tour 2K).