adminSmall Axe Studios is a new AAA development team established by 2K in Vancouver, Canada. Led by former EA Sports FIFA team leader Aaron McHardy, the studio is working on 2K’s next sports franchise and recruiting for key roles.
Image credit: Small Axe Studios
Small Axe Studios and 2K’s next sports franchise
McHardy leads the studio as head of studio, vice president, and executive producer. He previously headed the EA Sports FIFA team for 15 years, remaining in that role until 2021. His experience is part of a leadership group that includes several other former EA employees.
The announcement does not provide the new franchise’s name, release date, or platforms. For now, the clearest details are the team’s Vancouver base, its leadership structure, and its focus on developing a new sports game for 2K.
Leadership team
Small Axe Studios has assembled leaders across design, operations, engineering, animation, art, technical art, and human resources. The team includes:
- Aaron McHardy, head of studio, vice president, and executive producer
- Gary Paterson, head of design
- Tom Pan, head of operations
- Mike Thompson, head of engineering
- Brent Breedveld, animation director
- Karl Gryc, art director
- John Cruz, technical art director
- Trisha MacWan, head of HR
Paterson, Pan, Thompson, and Cruz are also identified as EA veterans. For people following the studio’s development, these roles offer a useful view of the disciplines represented in its leadership, though the announcement does not describe the wider team’s size or individual responsibilities in detail.
From 2K Sports Lab to a dedicated studio
Small Axe Studios grew out of 2K Sports Lab, which was established in 2023. The lab focused on research and development for future sports interactive entertainment games. The new studio’s remit is to develop 2K’s next sports franchise, bringing that work into a dedicated development team.
2K says the studio combines the energy of a startup with the scale of the company. It also points to experience with established AAA series, including NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and PGA Tour 2K, as a foundation for the project. These comments describe the company’s goals; no specific gameplay features or launch plans were announced in the supplied details.
What 2K says about the studio
2K said Small Axe Studios aims to help shape the future of sports video games, drawing on the company’s experience with its existing franchises. McHardy described the studio’s name as a reflection of its ambition, saying that “with vision, hunger, and focus, a small axe can take down a big tree.” He also expressed pride in the team already assembled and enthusiasm for its future work.
For readers tracking 2K’s sports portfolio, Small Axe Studios is notable because it brings together a named leadership team and a stated focus on a new franchise. Further announcements will be needed to clarify what the game will offer and when more details may be shared. Small Axe Studios is the team to watch as 2K develops its next sports project.
