Key Highlights:
- Take-Two Interactive is reportedly preparing to acquire the WWE video game licence following THQ’s collapse.
- WWE has confirmed that its video game series will continue, but no new publisher has been officially announced.
- 2K later secured the licence and published WWE 2K14 with Yuke’s remaining as developer.
Take-Two Interactive is reportedly preparing to take over the WWE video game licence following the collapse of longtime publisher THQ.
THQ filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2012 before selling several studios and properties at auction on 22 January 2013. The WWE licence was not listed among the confirmed auction sales, leaving the future of the wrestling series unresolved.
Reports published after the auction identified Take-Two as the likely new home for WWE games. Take-Two owns 2K Sports, the publishing label behind the NBA 2K series, making WWE a natural addition to its sports catalogue.
EA Sports had also been discussed as a possible publisher because of its established sports portfolio. However, an EA representative denied that the company planned to acquire the WWE licence.
WWE confirmed through the series’ official social media account that new WWE games would continue, but the company did not identify the next publisher at that stage.
The uncertainty was resolved in February 2013 when WWE and 2K announced an exclusive multi-year publishing agreement. The deal transferred the series to Take-Two while retaining Yuke’s as its principal developer.
The first release under the arrangement was WWE 2K14 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Yuke’s developed the game, while 2K published it under the newly established WWE 2K branding.
