Take-Two has trademarked a new 2K studio called Small Axe Studios, likely led by the former Perfect Dark reboot team

Take-Two Interactive has filed a European trademark for "Small Axe Studios," formally naming what appears to be an entirely new development team under the 2K label. A trademark for the name first appeared in May 2025 and was assumed to be an unannounced game, but job listings and reporting now point to a new studio that has been quietly assembling for over a year.

The details:

• As discovered by MP1st, the new trademark was filed under categories covering "video game programs" and "entertainment services." The Small Axe name has been quietly appearing in 2K job listings since April 2026, listed alongside major internal teams like Hangar 13 and Firaxis.
• Journalist Jason Schreier reported late last year that 2K had recruited former Perfect Dark reboot leads Darrell Gallagher and Brian Horton to head a new, unannounced studio. The timeline lines up closely with Small Axe's formation, making them the most likely candidates to be running the new team.
• Gallagher and Horton's previous project, the Perfect Dark reboot at The Initiative, was cancelled by Xbox as part of its broader restructuring. Both are experienced AAA leads: Gallagher was formerly head of Crystal Dynamics and oversaw the Tomb Raider reboot, while Horton was creative director on Marvel's Spider-Man at Insomniac before moving to Microsoft.
• Take-Two has not officially announced the studio or any project associated with it.