2K signs deal with Tiger Woods, acquires Golf Club developer
2K has signed a deal with legendary golfer Tiger Woods to appear in the next PGA Tour 2K, and it’s acquired The Golf Club and PGA Tour 2K21 developer HB Studios.
In an official statement, the partnership with Woods will ensure that the golfer’s name and likeness will “appear exclusively in the PGA Tour 2K franchise, as well as any other golf games published by 2K.” Woods will also serve as “executive director” and consultant on the franchise.
“I am looking forward to making my return to the video game landscape, and with 2K and HB Studios, I’ve found the right partners to make it happen,” Woods stated. “I’m honored to take part in this opportunity and look forward to sharing my expertise and insights as we build the future of golf video games together.”
Prior to signing with 2K, Woods had a 16-year partnership with EA Sports, which published the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. It’s unclear whether 2K will be change its branding to more prominently feature Woods.
HB Studios, meanwhile, will continue to develop the PGA Tour 2K series, and its Lunberg studio will be the new head office of Take-Two Inertactive Canada. The developer began its relationship with 2K when the latter published The Golf Club 2019, and went on to develop PGA Tour 2K21. In our review last year, we called PGA Tour 2K21 “hands down one of the best-playing golf games in the last decade.”
“Our work with 2K on PGA Tour 2K21 brought our capabilities and aspirations to the next level,” HB Studios president James Seaboyer said, “and we can’t wait to show the world what we’re planning for the future.”
Michael Goroff has written and edited for EGM since 2017. You can follow him on Twitter @gogogoroff.