American video game publisher
2K is an Americanvideo game publisher based inNovato, California . The company was founded as a subsidiary ofTake-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, includingVisual Concepts andKush 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 aspresident and Phil Dixon aschief operating officer . It operates amotion capture studio inPetaluma, California .[ 1]
2K's original logo On January 24, 2005,Take-Two Interactive acquiredVisual Concepts , developer ofNBA 2K ,NHL 2K , andMLB 2K games that were marketed under theSega Sports brand.[ 2] Take-Two paidSega US$24 million for Visual Concepts, itsKush Games subsidiary and the 2K series'intellectual property .[ 3] [ 4] On January 25, 2005, Take-Two established the 2K Publishing label including its 2K Games and 2K Sports sub-labels.[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] In January 2006, some of 2K'sNew York City offices were damaged by afive-alarm fire .[ 8] In June 2007, the company relocated toNovato, California , alongside Visual Concepts.[ 9] A third sub-label, 2K Play, was established in September 2007 to focus oncasual games . Later that year, Take-Two partnered withNickelodeon to license games based on its shows.[ 10] [ 11] 2K Play absorbed all assets of Take-Two's budget-range publisherGlobal Star Software , including Cat Daddy Games,Carnival Games and games based onDeal or No Deal .[ 12] In January 2013, 2K obtained the rights to publish video games based onWWE .[ 13]
Christoph Hartmann , formerPresident of 2K announced his resignation in May 2017[ 14] after nearly two decades with Take-Two.[ 15] [ 16] David Ismailer, who previously served as 2K'schief operating officer (COO), was named 2K's newPresident .[ 17] [ 18] Phil Dixon, formerly ofBetfair , joined 2K as COO in November 2017.[ 19] 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 with2K Foundations to refurbish more than 50 basketball courts at community centers for kids across 6 continents.[ 20] [ 21]
2K Chengdu inChengdu , China; founded in June 2011.[ 22] 2K Madrid inMadrid , Spain; founded in June 2021.[ 23] 2K Sports Lab inVancouver , British Columbia, Canada; founded in October 2023.[ 24] 2K Valencia inValencia , Spain; founded in 2005 as Elite3D; acquired in November 2021.[ 25] 2K Vegas inLas Vegas, Nevada , U.S.; founded in 2006 as 2K West, rebranded in 2013.[ 26] [ 27] 31st Union inSan Mateo, California , U.S. andValencia , Spain; founded in 2019 as 2K Silicon Valley, rebranded in 2020.[ 28] [ 29] Cat Daddy Games inKirkland, Washington , U.S.; founded in 1996, acquired in 2003.[ 30] Cloud Chamber inNovato, California , U.S. andMontreal , Canada; founded in 2019.[ 31] Firaxis Games inHunt Valley, Maryland , U.S.; founded in 1996, acquired in 2005.[ 32] Gearbox Software inFrisco, Texas , U.S.; founded in 1999, acquired in 2024.[ 33] Hangar 13 inNovato, California , U.S.,Brno andPrague , Czech Republic, andBrighton , England; founded in 2014.[ 34] HB Studios inLunenberg, Nova Scotia , Canada; founded in 2000, acquired in 2021.[ 35] Mass Media inMoorpark, California , U.S.; founded in the 1980s, acquired in 2018.[ 36] Visual Concepts inNovato, California , U.S.; founded in 1988, acquired in 2005.[ 5] [ 37] 2K Australia inCanberra , Australia; founded in 2000, acquired in 2006, closed in 2015.[ 38] 2K China inShanghai , China; founded in May 2006, closed in November 2015.[ 39] [ 40] 2K Czech inBrno , Czech Republic; founded in 1997, acquired in 2008, merged into Hangar 13 in 2017.[ 41] 2K Hangzhou inHangzhou , China; founded in 2007, closed in November 2016.[ 42] [ 40] 2K Los Angeles inCamarillo, California , U.S.; founded as Kush Games in 1998, acquired in 2005, closed in 2008.[ 43] 2K Marin inNovato, California , U.S.; founded in 2007, closed in 2013.[ 44] [ 45] Frog City Software inSan Francisco , U.S.; founded in 1994, acquired in 2003, closed in 2006.[ 46] Indie Built inSalt Lake City , U.S.; founded as Access Software in 1982, acquired and renamed in 2004, closed in 2006.[ 43] Irrational Games inWestwood, Massachusetts , U.S.; founded in 1997, acquired in 2006, closed in 2017 and succeeded byGhost Story Games .[ 47] PAM Development inParis , France; founded in 1995, acquired in 2005, closed in 2008.[ 43] PopTop Software inFenton, Missouri , U.S.; founded in 1993, acquired in 2000, merged into Firaxis Games in 2006.[ 48] Venom Games inNewcastle upon Tyne , England; founded in 2003, acquired in 2004, closed in 2008.[ 43] [ 49] College Hoops 2K (2005–2007)MLB 2K (2005–2013)NHL 2K (2005–2014)2K released a proprietarygame launcher for computer users in 2022 alongside quality of life updates theBioShock 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 theSteam Deck .[ 50] Fans ofMarvel's Midnight Suns , felt the launcher impacted the game's performance.[ 51] Following negative feedback, 2K began phasing out the launcher, removing it fromCivilization VI and assuring it wouldn't be used inCivilization VII .[ 52] On November 18, 2024, 2K removed the launcher from every game on both Steam and Epic Games' storefronts.[ 53] [ 54]
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