[UPDATE - February 25, 2026] Maverick Games had signed a publishing deal with Amazon Games, but Amazon, as part of its almost complete divestment from gaming, has just canceled it. Maverick will continue to develop the game and is seeking other publishing partners, though.
[ORIGINAL STORY] Former Forza Horizon 5 developers have left Playground Games to announce Maverick Games, a new AAA development studio already working on an exciting ultra-high quality title.
The new studio has been founded by former Playground Games Creative Director Mike Brown, but he isn't the only Maverick Games developer who worked on Forza Horizon 5, as he is joined at the new studio by Tom Butcher as Executive Producer, Matt Craven as CTO, Gareth Harwood as Content Director and Fraser Strachan as Audio Director. Other members of the new studio include previous Sumo Digital Leamington Co-Studio Head Harinder Sangha, former Sharkmob London dev Ben Penrose and previous EA Experience Design Director Elly Marshall.
Maverick Games' founder, Mike Brown, released a statement alongside the studio's announcement, highlighting what will be the studio's main priorities.
"Our goal is for Maverick Games to be a studio people will love. For players, we’re already at work on an exciting ultra-high quality title, and for developers, we’re building a home where everyone is encouraged to take risks, be curious, be creative, be innovative, be themselves, and above all – be a Maverick."
More information on the newly announced Maverick Games can be found on its official website as well as on social media pages on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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