2K Announces New Vancouver-Based AAA Studio Led by EA Veteran
2K, part of Take-Two, has announced the establishment of a new AAA studio named Small Axe Studios. The Vancouver-based team will be headed by industry veteran Aaron McHardy.
McHardy will serve as vice president, executive producer, and studio head. Prior to this role, he spent nearly 18 years at EA, where he was responsible for the Madden and College Football franchises, as well as overseeing the FIFA team.
According to a press release, the studio's immediate focus is building "2K's next blockbuster sports franchise." The Small Axe Studios roster already includes other EA veterans: Gary Paterson as head of design, Tom Pan as head of operations, and Mike Thompson as head of engineering.
This is not the first new studio formation under 2K in the past year. In December 2025, the company hired key developers from the Perfect Dark reboot team to form a new unit, where Brian Horton became VP of Creative and Darrell Gallagher joined as SVP and studio head.
Amidst these announcements, several studios under 2K have faced layoffs in recent months. In May, an undisclosed number of workers were laid off at 31st Union, which was working on the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos. A few days later, Visual Concepts, known for its work on WWE 2K26, also cut staff for the third time in three years.
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