2K has officially launched Small Axe Studios, a new AAA sports game studio based in Vancouver, Canada. The studio grew out of 2K Sports Lab, an internal research project the company started in 2023. 2K says Small Axe will build its “next blockbuster sports franchise.” The team is led by former EA Sports FIFA producer Aaron McHardy and includes several other veterans from EA’s football games.
No specific sport has been confirmed yet, but the studio’s location and staff have fueled speculation about a possible soccer title.
Small Axe Studios Team and Leadership
Aaron McHardy heads Small Axe Studios as Vice President, Executive Producer, and Studio Head. He joined 2K in March 2023 after nearly 18 years at Electronic Arts.
At EA, McHardy served as executive producer of the FIFA franchise for over 15 years before moving on to lead the Madden and College Football teams.
Small Axe’s design lead is Gary Paterson, another long-time EA veteran. Paterson worked on FIFA titles going back to FIFA 06 and later served as Studio Design Director at Criterion Games on the Need for Speed franchise.
Other key staff members include Tom Pan as Head of Operations and Mike Thompson as Head of Engineering, both 20-year-plus veterans of EA Sports titles such as NHL, UFC, and FIFA. John Cruz rounds out the leadership team as Technical Art Director.
Why Fans Think Small Axe Studios Could Be Working on a Soccer Game
2K has not confirmed which sport Small Axe Studios is developing for. Even so, several details have led fans and outlets to speculate about a soccer game.
Small Axe Studios is based in Vancouver, the same city where EA develops its EA Sports FC titles. The studio’s logo also resembles a football club crest on a jersey.
EA ended its FIFA partnership after FIFA 23, rebranding its long-running football series as EA Sports FC in 2023. FIFA has said it wants to keep making its own games and has released mobile titles and a Football Manager collaboration, but it has not put out a major console game since the split.
2K has a long history in sports gaming through franchises like NBA 2K, WWE 2K, PGA Tour, and TopSpin. Small Axe Studios would mark the publisher’s first real move into football if the speculation proves accurate.
What 2K Has Said About Small Axe Studios
In a statement, 2K said Small Axe Studios will “build 2K’s next blockbuster sports franchise” as part of its commitment to new IP and growing its sports portfolio.
McHardy also posted about the launch on LinkedIn, saying the studio exists to “take on the industry’s boldest challenges” and that its name reflects that mission.
Small Axe Studios is the second new studio Take-Two has announced within the past year. In December 2025, the company hired two developers from the canceled Perfect Dark reboot to start a separate studio.
2K has not shared a release window or further project details for Small Axe Studios. The publisher said it will provide more information in the future.
