After finalizing talks about acquiring HB Studios on March 16, 2K on Monday announced that it acquired Austin-based HookBang’s video game division. Financial details of the deals were not disclosed.
HookBang was founded in 2012 by a group of engineers, designers, and artists who provided software design and development for technology companies, brands, and other agencies.
The HookBang game development team provided design, art, and engineering support for the recently released NBA 2K21. The team also developed a web game called PackRat.
According to the terms, HookBang’s video game division will be renamed Visual Concepts Austin, and the team will be relocated to a new office in Austin, Texas. 2K is expected to employ hundreds of game developers.
HookBang CEO Frank Roan commented on the acquisition, saying, “Working with a studio as prominent as Visual Concepts on NBA 2K21 was an extraordinary opportunity for HookBang. Formally joining Visual Concepts and 2K allows us to accelerate our impact on the product, the company, and the Austin development community.”
The Novato, California-based publisher, said that the new team will provide support in the development of future NBA 2K titles as well as expand its publishing business. 2K, which is owned by its parent company Take-Two Interactive, is well-known for its WWE franchise and its NBA 2K series.
“NBA 2K is a vital part of 2K’s publishing business and the larger video game industry, as well as a fixture in global pop culture lexicon,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “We have made many investments in NBA 2K over the years, each of which has helped us reach new heights. HookBang has partnered with us on NBA 2K for the past couple of years, and we’re pleased to welcome its talented team to the Visual Concepts family.”
2K parent company Take-Two Interactive has been busy on the M&A scene lately. In November last year, the company made a bid to acquire UK-based game developer Codemasters, only to be outbid by rival Electronic Arts (EA). However, its bid for Playdots was a success acquiring the studio for $192 million.
Prior to HookBang, its latest takeover was HB Studios last week. Like HookBang, HB Studios also partnered with 2K Sports to develop the PGA Tour 2K21 for the publisher.
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