Electronic Arts
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2K funds new AAA sports studio as EA Sports FC faces potential new rival
Take-Two Interactive, through its 2K label, has established Small Axe Studios in Vancouver, staffed by veterans from EA Sports FC and FIFA. The new studio aims to create a AAA sports game, potentially challenging EA Sports FC's market dominance. While the specific sport is unconfirmed, evidence suggests a focus on football, with key personnel having extensive experience in football game development.
EA Sports FC might be getting a proper football game challenger, as 2K sets up new studio to make its "next blockbuster sports franchise"
2K Sports has announced the formation of Small Axe Studios, a new development team based in Vancouver and led by former EA FIFA executive producer Aaron McHardy. The studio's mandate is to create 2K's next major sports franchise, potentially challenging EA Sports FC in the football game market. This move signifies 2K's ambition to expand its sports gaming portfolio beyond existing titles like NBA 2K and WWE 2K.
Small Axe Studios is a New AAA Team Under 2K Working on a New Sports Franchise
2K Games has established a new AAA development studio in Vancouver called Small Axe Studios, led by industry veterans including Aaron McHardy and Gary Paterson. The studio is focused on creating a new sports franchise, though the specific sport has not yet been revealed. Several key leadership and development roles have been filled by individuals with extensive experience in sports game development at companies like Electronic Arts.
2K announces new Vancouver-based AAA studio led by EA veteran
2K, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, has announced the formation of a new AAA studio in Vancouver named Small Axe Studios. The studio will be led by EA veteran Aaron McHardy and aims to redefine the future of sports video games, focusing on developing 2K's next major sports franchise.
Abandon single-player, move development to Saudi Arabia, "reduce labour"? Experts on what EA's huge buyout debt could really mean
Electronic Arts has been acquired through a leveraged buyout, co-owned by private equity firms and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, with approximately $20 billion borrowed from Morgan Stanley. This significant debt places pressure on EA to generate substantial interest payments, leading experts to predict major shifts including potential layoffs and a focus on profitable live service games over niche single-player titles. The acquisition's structure and Saudi Arabia's strategic investment goals suggest a potential reorientation of EA's development and business practices.
EA Is Now Privately Owned After a Record $55 Billion Buyout What It Means for Players | Gamedoper
Electronic Arts has been acquired for $55 billion by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, making it the largest all-cash leveraged buyout in history. This move takes EA private, removing public shareholder oversight and potentially allowing for longer-term investments, with a focus on AI in game development highlighted by Silver Lake. While EA's current game pipeline remains unaffected, the long-term impact on monetization and game development strategies under the new ownership is yet to be seen.
EA Sports NHL 27 Drops New Deep Dive Into Its Connected Franchise Mode
EA Sports NHL 27 is set to feature a revamped Connected Franchise Mode, last seen in 2014. The mode offers an intuitive user interface with control over league sizes from three to thirty-two teams, allowing players to act as commissioner or manager. Customization options include season length, playoff formats, scoring, salary caps, and free agency adjustments, promising a blend of nostalgia and modern features for its September 11th release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
"If I was buying BioWare, I would want everything": Former Dragon Age lead thinks "there are several ways" the developer survives EA's $55 billion buyout, but none are pretty
Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah discusses potential scenarios for the studio's survival following Electronic Arts' acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. He suggests that BioWare might be sold off with its IPs and technology, or its IPs could be sold individually, though he expresses concern about the overall impact on the developer and its catalog.
More Lord Of The Rings Game Re-Releases Are Coming
Aspyr Media has released a new "Legacy Edition" of the 2011 game The Lord of the Rings: War in the North and confirmed that more classic Lord of the Rings game re-releases are planned. The company also noted that brand-new Lord of the Rings titles are in development by studios like Warhorse and Crystal Dynamics.
EA Sports College Football 27 Review
EA Sports College Football 27 features an exhaustive and rewarding Dynasty Mode, with updates that deepen existing systems rather than reinvent them. The game addresses Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college football, though the reviewer expresses a desire for more innovation.
GTA 6 Owner Take-Two Is Not Interested In Selling To Netflix Or Anyone Right Now
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated the company has no interest in being acquired by Netflix or any other entity, emphasizing its strong independent position in the market. He confirmed ongoing partnerships with Netflix for game distribution, including for Grand Theft Auto VI, but dismissed speculation that these collaborations signal a potential buyout. Zelnick highlighted Take-Two's significant revenue and consistent profitability as reasons for remaining independent, especially in a market seeing major consolidations like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Saudi Arabia's PIF deal for Electronic Arts.
"Time will tell": Bit Reactor talk queerness in Star Wars: Zero Company and whether they'll keep working with Saudi-owned EA
Bit Reactor discusses the inclusion of queer representation in their upcoming game Star Wars: Zero Company, noting the player's ability to define their character's identity. The article also explores concerns surrounding Electronic Arts' recent acquisition by a Saudi-led consortium, questioning the potential impact on games with progressive themes.
Remedy Entertainment touts pricing Control Resonant 'attractively for an AAA title'
Remedy Entertainment CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon stated that Control Resonant will be priced attractively at $60 for an AAA title, aiming to stand out in a competitive autumn release window. The company is self-publishing the game after mixed results with previous efforts and is facing financial challenges, with Q2 2026 revenue down 40 percent. Despite this, Remedy is confident in Control Resonant's potential, citing over 1.5 million wishlists and strong pre-order rankings.
Star Wars Zero Company: A New Hope for Turn-Based Tactics
Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game with RPG storytelling from new studio Bit Reactor, is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S on August 27, 2026. The game features a squad of mercenaries led by Hawks during the Clone Wars, with deep customization options for characters and emergent relationships. Combat involves strategic use of action points and a shared 'Advantage' resource, with permadeath adding stakes to missions.
Star Wars Zero Company is a very safe XCOM descendant, but its most interesting parts are found in its Midnight Suns DNA
Star Wars Zero Company offers a familiar turn-based tactical experience reminiscent of XCOM, developed by veterans from Firaxis Games. While it successfully captures the core XCOM gameplay loop, including permadeath and strategic combat, its most innovative elements draw inspiration from Marvel's Midnight Suns, such as enhanced squad camaraderie and pre-battle interactions. Despite its strengths in squad management and build variety, the game's reliance on established mechanics and somewhat repetitive combat arenas temper expectations for it to significantly advance the genre.
Star Wars Zero Company brings XCOM-style strategy to a galaxy far, far away
Star Wars Zero Company, developed by Bit Reactor, brings XCOM-style turn-based tactics to the Star Wars universe. Players lead a customizable mercenary group, facing permadeath and building bonds between characters. The game is set to release on August 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, though some performance concerns were noted in the preview build.
New Gamescom survey has spoken: Discoverability needs to improve, and AI is still an unknown
A Gamescom survey of 100 developers reveals concerns about financial stability, with Artificial Intelligence and hardware costs seen as the biggest impacts on game production. While some embrace AI for coding and production, others are against its involvement. Discoverability remains a major issue, with friends and communities being the primary source of game discovery over digital storefronts.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 8, 2026 – Resident Evil Requiem on top, Pokemon Pokopia leads for Nintendo Switch 2
Resident Evil Requiem has reclaimed the top spot in the UK software sales chart for the week ending August 8, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia leads for Nintendo Switch 2, rising to third place, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains at fourth.
FC 27 Liverpool Player Rating Predictions
This article provides a prediction for the EA Sports FC 27 player ratings for Liverpool's squad, anticipating downgrades for many players following a poor 2025-26 season. It lists projected ratings for key players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, noting the absence of Mohamed Salah from the predicted lineup.
The Biggest FC 27 Features Every Player Should Know About
EA Sports FC 27, launching September 25, 2026, introduces significant new features including a social hub called The Grounds, a rebuilt Transfer Market, and a refreshed Ultimate Team experience. Developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania, the game aims to enhance realism and player connection across modes like Career Mode and Clubs. Key additions include dynamic player ratings, new negotiation tools, and the FUT Gallery for showcasing Player Items.
