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Take-Two Interactive signs Tiger Woods deal and acquires PGA Tour 2K21 developer HB Studios

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Following strong reviews, Take Two has made clear its intention to keep producing golf games for a long time to come.

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2K has acquired HB Studios Multimedia Ltd., the development studio responsible for last year's PGA Tour 2K21, the publisher announced today in a press release. That wasn't the only big news, however, as the publisher also entered "an exclusive, long-term partnership with Tiger Woods" that will see his likeness used in future games.

HB Studios, a sort of B team for Electronic Arts over the years (and the developer of various other sports titles for various publishers), produced its first games on PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox, starting with Cricket 2002. In more recent years, it is best known for its The Golf Club franchise, and now the PGA Tour Golf franchise that seems to have lost the appeal it once had for EA Sports.

Tiger Woods, naturally, needs no introduction. Thanks to an extended series of high-performance wins and even the occasional hint of scandal, his name has been synonymous with the sport in a way few other golfers have ever managed.

"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," Tiger Woods said 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."

During the partnership term, the Tiger Woods name and his likeness will be exclusive to any golf games 2K Sports might care to release, including especially the PGA Tour 2K franchise. He will serve as an Executive Director and will offer his expertise, and his TGR Foundation will also get involved so that underserved students can have the tools they need to thrive.

"In golf, there is no bigger icon than Tiger Woods," said David Ismailer, 2K's president. "Like the rest of the world, we were saddened to hear of his recent accident, and we wish him a full and smooth recovery. We have been eager to announce our partnership with Tiger, whose legendary career has transcended the sport."

Financial terms for both deals were not disclosed, and the HB Studios acquisition must still clear the usual approval process that occurs whenever one big company announces plans to buy another company. Usually, that's not a problem, and this particular deal is expected to close during the first calendar quarter of this year (so... very soon).

"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, HB Studios president and studio head. "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."

HB Studios will join a group of wholly-owned studios that includes Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, Cloud CHamber and 31st Union. The deal includes the acquisition of the studio in Lunenburg, which will serve as headquarters for Take-Two Interactive Canada and a jumping off point for intended expansion in that country.

You can learn more about PGA Tour 2K21 at the game's official site, or on various social media channels. It is currently available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

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Staff article by Jason Venter (March 16, 2021)

Jason Venter has been playing games for 30 years, since discovering the Apple IIe version of Mario Bros. in his elementary school days. Now he writes about them, here at HonestGamers and also at other sites that agree to pay him for his words.

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