Gaming giant 2K has purchased Elite3D, a studio known for its art and co-development work on several major triple-A franchises. The studio will be split into two wings: a second office for an existing 2K developer, and a new publishing wing.
What does this Elite3D acquisition mean for 2K?
Per a press release by the two companies, 2K says Elite3D will serve as a "great complement" to the publisher's values. Elite3D will be rebranded as two different studios under 2K. The first will become a second office for 31st Union, a wholly-owned 2K developer subsidiary that is yet to announce its first title. Secondly, a "new 2K Publishing location" with a focus on Global Services will be created, with other Elite3D employees serving as the basis for this new publishing arm. 2K says these employees will be given responsibility for internal art, animation, project management, and other areas.
2K will be glad of this relatively uncomplicated acquisition after its parent Take-Two's attempt to purchase racing game legends Codemasters was sabotaged by EA back in 2020. 31st Union seems to be glad of the new addition; studio president (and former Sledgehammer Games co-founder) Michael Condrey calls Elite3D "an incredible team" and says the studio will be integral in helping 31st Union achieve its "game aspirations". Given that Elite3D worked on several Call of Duty games, including the Sledgehammer-led Call of Duty: WWII, Condrey has seen the work the studio could do firsthand in the past. Hopefully, we'll find out what those actually are pretty soon.
What is Elite3D, and where would you know it from?
Elite3D is a dark horse of a studio. It's not a flashy or big name, but it's worked on some of the most prominent AAA franchises in gaming. The studio has worked on art and co-development for Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and Capcom, among others. It's done work for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (which recently saw the departure of some crossover event quests), as well as Metro Exodus and Remedy's Control. No word yet on whether Elite3D is working on the recently-announced sequel or multiplayer spinoff, though.
We'll have to wait and see what this new partnership between Elite3D and 2K yields. In the meantime, you can check out Elite3D's official website to see a portfolio of all the work they've done. You'd be surprised at some of the games they've worked on. Here's hoping the future is just as bright for them as their past appears to be, albeit with a little more recognition into the mix.
Are you excited to see what 2K and Elite3D do together? Let us know in the comments below!
