{"rewrite":{"id":"r_ab3d20dbc643b2742f31dcb8","clusterId":"c_98ae93de6ffc8a88c75fd06d","slug":"2k-games-launches-small-axe-studios-with-former-fifa-developers","model":"deepseek-v4-flash:free","headline":"2K Games Launches Small Axe Studios With Former FIFA Developers","summary":"2K Games announced the establishment of Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, Canada, built from its Sports Lab project that began in 2023. The studio is led by Aaron McHardy, a former EA Vancouver producer on FIFA and Madden NFL, and includes other ex-EA developers. The sport of its first title has not been disclosed.","whyItMatters":"The new studio gathers veteran soccer game developers from EA in Vancouver, fueling speculation that 2K may enter the soccer market.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eSmall Axe Studios takes its name from Bob Marley\u0026#39;s song \u0026#39;Small Axe,\u0026#39; chosen to convey that strong will and focus can bring down a large tree. The studio intends to combine startup agility with the funding and resources of a major publisher.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChief Designer Gary Paterson is among the former Electronic Arts staff who have joined, along with a lead engineer and a technical art director. 2K Games already runs successful sports franchises including NBA 2K, PGA TOUR 2K, and WWE 2K.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"2K Games has set up Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, staffed with former FIFA and Madden NFL developers. The sport of its first title is still under wraps.","twitterPost":"2K Games launches Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, led by ex-EA producer Aaron McHardy. Former FIFA devs are on board. Sport TBD.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"2K Games has established Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, drawing on former EA developers including Aaron McHardy and Gary Paterson. The studio's first title has not been announced, but its makeup suggests a possible push into soccer.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999901/20260817021/\",\"title\":\"2K Games Establishes New Studio 'Small Axe Studios'; Former 'FIFA' Developers Unite to Develop a New Major Sports Game\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4361,"outputTokens":479,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1786960222,"createdAt":"2026-08-17T09:42:12.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-08-17T09:46:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-17T09:42:12.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_98ae93de6ffc8a88c75fd06d","canonicalTitle":"2K Gamesが新スタジオ「Small Axe Studios」を設立。元「FIFA」開発陣が集結し，新たな大型スポーツゲームを開発へ","representativeArticleId":"a_31e6eca8129ac029d32fa46b","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":1,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[],\"studios\":[\"2K Games\",\"Small Axe Studios\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"announcement\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-08-17T05:27:51.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-08-17T05:27:51.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-17T09:46:45.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999901/20260817021/","title":"2K Gamesが新スタジオ「Small Axe Studios」を設立。元「FIFA」開発陣が集結し，新たな大型スポーツゲームを開発へ"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[],"studios":["2K Games","Small Axe Studios"],"people":[],"type":"announcement","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":null}