Take 2 Interactive

An American video game publisher known for publishing titles like Smuggler's Run, Railroad Tycoon II, and Hidden & Dangerous.

Sports

Driving

Action

Racing

Tactics



Website

Founded

1993

HQ

New York City, United States

Known for

Action / Adventure / Shooter

17

Games

1998–2023

Years

10

Platforms

$10.00

Ø CIB

-20.8%

24M change

About

Take 2 Interactive is a major video game publisher that distributed a diverse portfolio of titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Golden Goal 98, Adventures of Monkey Hero, and Dora the Explorer Barnyard Buddies. The company published notable releases such as Railroad Tycoon II, Hidden & Dangerous, and 4x4 EVO 2. They are also associated with major franchises, publishing Smuggler's Run and ESPN NHL 2K5 during this era.

Founded in 1993, the publisher established its market presence by securing publishing rights and acquiring development studios to build a multi-genre catalog. A key milestone was the acquisition of BMG Interactive, which brought the Grand Theft Auto franchise under its umbrella, leading to the creation of the Rockstar Games label. This label subsequently managed high-profile releases, including the off-road racing game Smuggler's Run and its sequels.

During this expansion era, the company targeted diverse demographics. For younger audiences, it secured licensed properties like Dora the Explorer Barnyard Buddies, while catering to strategy and simulation fans through Railroad Tycoon II and tactical shooters like Hidden & Dangerous. Sports and racing portfolios were bolstered by ESPN NHL 2K5 and 4x4 EVO 2, alongside niche action-adventure titles such as Adventures of Monkey Hero and early sports efforts like Golden Goal 98. This aggressive diversification strategy, anchored by the massive commercial success of the Grand Theft Auto series, allowed the publisher to transition from a mid-tier distributor into a dominant global interactive entertainment powerhouse.