2K Games

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

Background

2K (formerly known as 2K Games) is the main publishing brand of Take-Two Interactive. It was formed in 2005 in a second effort to contain several internal studios into one brand (the first was Rockstar Games). The company was born after Take-Two bought Visual Concepts from Sega for $24 million, which became the core of the 2K Sports label (which has been retired as of 2016). Some studios changed their names in order to expand the 2K label, such as 2K Boston, Australia, Marin, West, China and Czech; of these divisions, currently only West (now 2K Vegas) and China (now 2K Chengdu) operate.

1st Logo (March 1, 2005-November 9, 2021)


Visuals: On a black background, 2 dot matrix curves in dark grey, red, and white draw around each other briefly while a red parallelogram frame flashes. After the lines disappear, the frame shoots forwards while glowing with white and the camera flies through multiple other frames like a tunnel, while a red aura emanates from the center of the screen horizontally. After passing through the last frame, a 3D red shield with the conjoined white letters "2K" zooms in and quickly revolves twice and the red aura disappears as it completes its 2nd revolution. The logo shines and slowly turns as it fades out.

Variants:

  • Up until Shattered Union, "GAMES" appears below on the 2nd revolution.
  • Recent games have the logo reanimated and just have the shield quickly turning towards the screen. The shield looks more opaque.
  • On Nintendo DS games, the logo is still and lacks the 3D effect. An inverted version also exists.
  • On Carnival Games Mini-Golf for Wii, the logo is still on a white background.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A electronic breakbeat ending with a computerized announcer saying "2K".

Availability: Seen on games like BioShock, Borderlands and Family Guy: Video Game! for PSP, PS2, and Xbox.

2nd Logo (March 25, 2022-)


Visuals: On a grayish white background, various black lines are drawn as they are accompanied by more multi-colored lines drawing. The camera zooms back to reveal the "2K" letters from the previous logo being drawn out by the lines as the background becomes red. The finished 2K logo, which is on a simple, unitalicized red box, then positions itself to the center of the screen in a blue-purple gradient environment and becomes 2D.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The sounds of sketching are first heard. A synth beat then plays when the 2K logo is created, and ends with an electric guitar note.

Availability: It first appeared on Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and has appeared on all recent games from 2K Games so far. It also appeared on the Borderlands movie.

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.