K2 Network

K2 Network, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Video games
Founded	2001
Defunct	2012
Fate	Combined operations with Reloaded Games; brand discontinued
Headquarters	Irvine, California , United States
Area served	North America, South America, Europe
Products	Video games (MMOs including Knight Online World, MU Online, War Rock, Sword 2)
Parent	Reloaded Games (post-2012)

K2 Network, Inc. was a United States-based developer and publisher of video games headquartered in Irvine, California. In 2004, it was among the first MMO publishers in North America and Europe to adopt the free-to-play (also known as "freemium") revenue model.

On July 5, 2012, K2 Network combined operations with Reloaded Games, resulting in the discontinuation of the K2 Network brand.

History

Established in 2001, K2 Network concentrated on enhancing the social aspects of MMOGs as a primary form of entertainment. The company secured licenses from Korean developers and adapted these games for audiences in North America, South America, and Europe via its platform GamersFirst.com. In 2007, it successfully obtained $16 million through Series-B investment led by Intel Capital.

Licensed MMOs

Among K2 Network's licensed titles was Knight Online World, for which it secured Western publishing rights in 2003 and launched distribution in 2004, ceasing service in May 2012. The game maintained a peak concurrent user base exceeding 40,000 players and enjoyed particular popularity in Turkey, where monetization was supported through a network of ESN code distributors. Additional licensed games included MU Online, War Rock, and Sword 2.

Formation of Studio Subsidiary Reloaded Productions

In November 2010, Reloaded Productions, a subsidiary of K2 Network, acquired the rights to APB: All Points Bulletin from Realtime Worlds during its administration phase, purchasing the asset at a significantly reduced price compared to its original £60 million development budget. The subsidiary intended to rework the game from a subscription-based framework into APB: Reloaded, implementing a free-to-play monetization model. By June 2011, Reloaded Productions expanded this strategy by obtaining Fallen Earth from Icarus Studios, planning to convert it similarly from subscription to freemium.

On March 16, 2015, Reloaded Productions further broadened its catalog by acquiring rights to Hawken, strengthening its emphasis on free-to-play multiplayer titles.