2K Games
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Documents about 2K Games
Funny Games: Comedy Podcasting and Cultural Cut-Through
The primary objective of this analysis is to explore how comedy podcasting can serve as a vehicle for integrating video games into broader cultural conversations.
- Geoff Keighley and Mark Kern have launched the Nova Games Foundation, which will provide 20 students with six-figure grants to develop university game projects into full commercial releases.
- The White House launched a political arcade website, arcade.gov, featuring controversial games that led to a copyright dispute with The Tetris Company over a wall-building game.
- Comedian Glenn Moore has launched the podcast 'Button Boys' to reach broader audiences by focusing on game content rather than industry-specific issues like layoffs or toxic workplace culture.
2K Is the Only One That Could Take on EA Sports FC
The establishment of Small Axe Studios by 2K Games marks a strategic expansion into the competitive sports simulation market.
- 2K Games has launched a new Vancouver-based studio, Small Axe Studios, specifically tasked with developing a new blockbuster sports franchise.
- The new studio is staffed by high-level industry veterans formerly of EA Sports, including leaders who worked on EA Sports FC, Madden, FIFA, UFC, and Skate.
- Small Axe Studios originated from the 2K Sports Lab, an internal research and development unit established by 2K in 2023.
Box Out: #384
The gaming industry is undergoing a significant transition as Sony announced that, effective January 2028, it will cease the production of physical game discs for its consoles.
- Sony announced that PlayStation games will no longer be released on physical discs starting January 2028, following a trend seen with Rockstar's GTAVI offering a download code in a box and Sony's discless PS5 version in 2020.
- Sony removed over 550 movies from its download store and is closing the PS3 and Vita download stores by July 2027, preventing buyers from accessing previously purchased content.
- Microsoft is reportedly developing a 'disc-to-digital' scheme for its next Xbox (Project Helix) that would allow users to convert physical Xbox Series and some Xbox One games into digital licenses.
2K to Launch New FIFA Game in 2024 After Reportedly Securing Official License
Speculation has emerged regarding a potential partnership between 2K Games and FIFA, suggesting that the publisher may have secured the official license to develop a new football video game series.
- 2K Games is reportedly in negotiations to secure the official FIFA license to develop a new football video game series, potentially titled FIFA 2K25, for a 2024 release.
- The potential partnership follows the 2022 dissolution of the long-standing licensing agreement between FIFA and Electronic Arts.
- If confirmed, the deal would place 2K in direct market competition with Electronic Arts, which successfully rebranded its franchise to EA Sports FC.
Midwest Games Secures $3.1M in Latest Funding Round
Midwest Games, a video game publisher focused on supporting developers in the American Midwest and other underrepresented regions, has successfully secured $3.1 million in a recent funding round.
- Midwest Games secured $3.1 million in a recent funding round led by TitletownTech, a venture capital firm backed by Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers.
- Gaming personality and XSET co-owner Erin Ashley Simon has joined the company as a co-owner following her investment in the round.
- Additional investors in the funding round include Tundra Angels, Brightstar Wisconsin, Wisconsin Investment Partners, and Bay Tek Entertainment CEO Larry Treankler.
One Up x NBA 2K24 Championship Series
The One Up x NBA 2K24 Championship Series represents a strategic collaboration between the on-demand esports platform One Up, 2K Games, and 20 professional NBA players.
- One Up has partnered with 2K Games and 20 NBA players to launch the 'One Up x NBA 2K24 Championship Series,' a public competitive gaming tournament featuring a $1 million total prize pool.
- The tournament begins on September 23, 2023, and concludes with an in-person championship event in Miami on February 15, 2024.
- The series includes 20 online qualifying tournaments, each hosted by an NBA player, with the top 16 finalists advancing to an online tournament on February 3-4, 2024.
One Up Named Official On Demand Esports Platform of NBA 2K
Take-Two Interactive’s 2K Games label has entered into a multi-year partnership with One Up, designating the company as the official on-demand esports platform for the NBA 2K franchise.
- Take-Two Interactive’s 2K Games has entered a multi-year partnership with One Up to serve as the official on-demand esports platform for the NBA 2K franchise.
- The partnership will launch in the fall of 2023 following the September 8 release of NBA 2K24, featuring a series of free-to-enter online tournaments hosted by NBA stars.
- One Up operates two primary platforms: GameChangers OS, an esports SaaS for tournament management, and Play One Up, an on-demand marketplace for skill-based gaming.
ESL FACEIT Group, FIBA Reveal eFIBA Season 2
The ESL FACEIT Group and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have announced the launch of the second season of eFIBA, an international competitive gaming series centered on the NBA 2K24 title.
- ESL FACEIT Group and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will launch Season 2 of the eFIBA international NBA 2K24 competition on October 3, 2023.
- The tournament features a 5v5 format played on the ProAM game mode on PlayStation 5.
- More than 30 countries across four FIBA regions—Africa, Americas, Asia (including Oceania), and Europe—will participate in the competition.
FIBA, NBA 2K League Work to Create National Esports Competitions
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), 2K Games, and the NBA 2K League have entered into a multi-year partnership to formalize and expand international esports competition.
- FIBA, 2K Games, and the NBA 2K League have entered into a multi-year partnership to formalize and expand international esports competitions for National Federations.
- The agreement establishes a structured national team competition system that includes qualifiers, four regional finals (Africa, Asia/Oceania, Americas, and Europe), and an annual eFIBA World Finals.
- The partnership aims to create a talent pipeline by identifying regional players and providing them with opportunities to participate in NBA 2K League events or the NBA 2K League Draft.
FIFA Earns Almost $160 Million From Video Game Licensing
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has increasingly relied on video game licensing as a critical revenue stream, particularly during periods of global disruption.
- In 2020, FIFA generated $158.9 million from video game licensing, accounting for 60% of its total annual revenue of $266.5 million.
- The 2020 licensing revenue exceeded initial projections by 24%, driven by increased gaming activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Electronic Arts and FIFA ended their 30-year partnership in May 2022, leading EA to rebrand its football franchise to EA Sports FC.
Ubisoft Appoints Christoph Hartmann to Lead Creative House 2 and Its Growing Portfolio of Franchises
Ubisoft has appointed industry veteran Christoph Hartmann as the General Manager of Creative House 2, a strategic division central to the company’s revised operating model.
- Ubisoft has appointed industry veteran Christoph Hartmann as General Manager of Creative House 2, a strategic division overseeing its tactical and competitive franchises.
- The Creative House 2 portfolio includes major intellectual properties such as Tom Clancy’s The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, and the newly acquired title March of Giants.
- Hartmann will coordinate development across key internal studios, including Massive, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Paris, and Ubisoft Toronto.
