Hangar 13
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | December 4, 2014 in Novato, California, United States |
| Founder | Haden Blackman |
| Headquarters | Novato, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Nick Baynes (studio head) |
| Products | Mafia III, Mafia: Definitive Edition, TopSpin 2K25, Mafia: The Old Country |
Number of employees | 37 (Novato headquarters, 2022) |
| Parent | 2K (Take-Two Interactive) |
Hangar 13 is a United States-based video game developer located in Novato, California. Founded in December 2014 by Haden Blackman, it operates as a division of 2K, which is a publishing subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. The studio's inaugural release was Mafia III, which debuted in October 2016. In 2017, Hangar 13 integrated 2K Czech into its operations, extending its reach with additional studios in Brno, Prague, and later opening a fourth branch in Brighton in 2018. Their portfolio has since grown to include Mafia: Definitive Edition, TopSpin 2K25, and Mafia: The Old Country.
History
The origins of Hangar 13 trace back to around September 2013 when 2K revealed plans for a new San Francisco-based development team headed by Rod Fergusson, who exited the project by January 2014 citing "creative differences." Officially established on December 4, 2014, Hangar 13 was launched under the leadership of Haden Blackman, previously the creative director at LucasArts. The studio concentrated on producing titles for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One platforms. Their first major release, Mafia III, was announced in August 2015 with development assistance from 2K Czech, the creators behind earlier entries in the Mafia series. The game was released on October 7, 2016.
In 2017, Hangar 13 merged with 2K Czech to consolidate development efforts. By February 2018, the company experienced substantial layoffs while exploring new project concepts, including a novel "fight to music" gameplay mechanic. In May 2018, Hangar 13 expanded internationally by opening a UK studio in Brighton under Nick Baynes’ direction. A few months later in July, they confirmed work on an original intellectual property.
In March 2019, Hangar 13 partnered with Gearbox Software to provide a complimentary update that introduced 4K support to Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. The Mafia: Trilogy was released in May 2020, featuring a remake of the original Mafia, a remastered version of Mafia II, and an enhanced edition of Mafia III. Players owning the initial versions were eligible for free upgrades.
In November 2021, Hangar 13 canceled its unrevealed project Volt after incurring $53 million in development losses. By May 2022, founder Haden Blackman stepped down as studio head and was replaced by Nick Baynes. Soon after, layoffs were implemented across all four studios; notably, the Novato headquarters saw its staff reduced from 87 to 37 employees. Reports surfaced indicating early-stage development of a prequel to the Mafia: Trilogy alongside a new installment in the Top Spin franchise. The studio awaited approval from parent company Take-Two to commence work on a fifth entry in the Mafia series to ensure continuity.
By August 2022, confirmation came that production on a new Mafia title was underway under Baynes’ leadership.
Games developed
| Year | Title | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mafia III | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia |
| 2020 | Mafia: Definitive Edition | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One |
| 2024 | TopSpin 2K25 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| 2025 | Mafia: The Old Country | PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S |