Top Developers of Forza Horizon Have Left Xbox Playground Games to Create a New AAA Studio

Microsoft’s Forza Horizon series has seen a huge shakeup, as some of the key talents behind the franchise have left Xbox’s Playground Games to form a new triple-A development studio called Maverick Games. This newly established studio is led by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown, who is now serving as the creative director and studio head. The studio is said to have secured significant seed funding, and its debut product will be a new, premium open-world title for consoles and PC.

Maverick Games is made up of a number of former Playground Games employees, including chief operating officer Harinder Sangha, executive producer Tom Butcher, chief technology officer Matt Craven, content director Gareth Harwood and audio director Fraser Strachan. The studio also has a few new members, such as ex-Playground studio art director Ben Penrose and former EA experience design director Elly Marshall, who is now the company’s UX/UI director. The upcoming game is set to be included with Xbox Game Pass, and it is promised to be of “ultra-high quality".

Mike Brown has expressed his vision for Maverick Games, aspiring to establish a studio characterized by an environment that promotes risk-taking, curiosity, creativity, innovation, authenticity, and, most importantly, embodies the spirit of a true Maverick.With the departure of some of the key personnel, questions have been raised over the future of Forza Motorsport, which is set to launch in Spring 2023. However, Microsoft is reportedly hosting a Developer Direct showcase later this month, where it is said to provide updates on Forza Motorsport and other products.

Conclusion

Maverick Games is an exciting new addition to the AAA development landscape, and its debut game is sure to be one to watch. With its leadership team full of former Playground Games personnel, it will be interesting to see what the studio can produce. The departure of these key members from Playground Games has cast a shadow of doubt over the upcoming Forza Motorsport title, and it remains to be seen if the launch will be delayed. Hopefully, this new studio will bring some great new products to the market, and Forza Motorsport will live up to its expectations.