2K has officially revealed its newest development team, Small Axe Studios, a Triple-A studio formed from the company’s Sports Lab project. While the studio has yet to reveal exactly what it’s working on, 2K has confirmed that it’s developing the “next blockbuster sports franchise.”
That vague description hasn’t stopped fans from speculating, however, with many already convinced that Small Axe Studios is working on a new soccer game. Much of that speculation comes from the studio’s impressive roster of developers, many of whom have extensive experience working on major soccer titles, including FIFA and, more recently, EA Sports FC.
Small Axe Studios Likely Developing A Soccer Title
Small Axe Studios was announced across 2K’s social media channels, alongside a new website showcasing the studio and its ambitions. While the website offers few details about its mysterious sports project, the people behind the studio have provided plenty of potential clues.
Executive Producer Aaron McHardy, for example, previously held the same position at EA Vancouver, where he worked on major franchises including FIFA, Madden and College Football. He’s far from the only Small Axe Studios employee with experience in soccer games, with a significant portion of the team having previously worked on FIFA or EA Sports FC.
That experience alone has understandably caught the attention of fans, but there are even more clues hidden within the studio’s website.
Under the careers section, a short video showcases Small Axe Studios and its working environment. Look closely, however, and you’ll spot several soccer-related details, including soccer shirts, posters featuring soccer players and even a scarf reading “Miracle of Istanbul”—a reference to Liverpool’s iconic Champions League comeback against AC Milan.
It’s difficult to see all of these soccer references as a coincidence, especially when combined with the team’s history.
Then there’s Small Axe Studios’ motto: “a small axe can take down a big tree.” On the surface, it’s simply an inspirational phrase, but given the circumstances, it’s hard not to interpret it as a potential metaphor for the current soccer gaming landscape.
EA is by far the dominant force in the genre, with EA Sports FC enjoying a huge lead over its competitors thanks to an enormous number of licences and years of establishing itself as the go-to soccer game. Could the “big tree” be EA, with Small Axe Studios looking to take a swing at its dominance?
It’s certainly possible. FIFA has made it clear that it intends to remain involved in soccer gaming following its split from EA, while 2K previously came close to securing a deal with FIFA before negotiations reportedly broke down.
Whether those discussions eventually resumed, and whether Small Axe Studios’ mysterious project is the result, remains unknown. For now, though, fans are already convinced that 2K could be preparing its first serious challenger to EA Sports FC, and it’s hard not to agree.
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Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
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