2K's new Vancouver studio Small Axe staffs up with EA sports veterans to build a rival franchise

2K Sports announced Small Axe Studios in Vancouver on 2026-08-14, mandated to build a new AAA sports franchise. The team includes veterans of EA's FIFA (now EA SPORTS FC), Madden and College Football, per 2K's official studio page. The studio is led by Aaron McHardy, a former EA executive producer who spent 17 years at EA, mostly on FIFA, before leaving in 2023. No sport, release window or platforms have been announced.