Take-Two has unveiled some big plans for its golf series today. PGA Tour 2K will be the exclusive home of Tiger Woods video games going forward beginning with this summer's release.
The publisher and Woods have agreed to a "long-term exclusive" deal that will ensure Woods is in PGA Tour 2K and nothing else for the foreseeable future. The one exception is if 2K makes any other sort of golf game - PGA Playgrounds anyone?
"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,” said Tiger Woods in January. “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.”
In addition to locking up arguably the best golfer of all-time, 2K has also acquired the studio that makes the PGA Tour 2K series, HB Studios, based out of Nova Scotia. The team joins Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, Cloud Chamber and 31st Union as wholly-owned game studios under the 2K banner.
"The team’s love and knowledge of golf is immediately evident in our games. We’re thrilled to officially become part of the 2K family and continue development of the PGA TOUR 2K franchise,” said James Seaboyer, President and Studio Head at HB Studios. “Our work with 2K on PGA TOUR 2K21 brought our capabilities and aspirations to the next level, and we can’t wait to show the world what we’re planning for the future.”
It will be interesting to see if this summer's sequel will include Tiger Woods' name in the title like EA used to feature when it partnered with the player. PGA Tour 2K21 released in August of last year to "Strong" acclaim here on OpenCritic, earning a 76 average score and came 74% recommended by 70 critics who weighed in on the game.
