The newly formed UK-based studio is already planning its debut project which is set to be an open-world AAA game.
Former leaders from Forza Horizon creator Playground Games have announced the formation of a new AAA studio, Maverick Games. The Leamington Spa-based studio has reportedly secured major seed funding and is already working on its debut project.
Maverick Games is led by former Playground Games creative director Mike Brown who previously worked on the Forza Horizon franchise. He is joined by Sega and Sumo veteran Harinder Sangha who takes on the role of the company's COO. Among ex-Playground veterans who have joined the studio on the founding development team are executive producer Tom Butcher, CTO Matt Craven, content director Gareth Harwood, and audio director Fraser Strachan.
Ben Penrose whose last tenure was at Sharkmob London (who also previously was Playground's studio art director) joins Maverick Games as art director and former experience design director at EA Elly Marshall rounds out the leadership team as UX/UI Director.
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the studio currently has 10 employees but is aiming to expand its workforce to 140 people.
According to the studio head, Maverick's goal is to create "an exciting ultra-high quality title" for players and build a space where "everyone is encouraged to take risks, be curious, be creative, be innovative" for developers.
The team has already started working on its debut title. Not much has been revealed about the project yet but it seems that it won't necessarily be a driving game despite the team's previous experience. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Brown noted that he would describe himself as more of an "open-world guy" rather than a "driving guy" and added that the project will be an open-world AAA game that will be "premium" and "will have the ambition to go on and win all the awards."
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