Talent from Forza Horizon 5 developer Playground Games, EA, and Sumo Digital has come together to form a new AAA team based in Leamington Spa, England. It’s called Maverick Games, and the studio is already making “a new, premium open-world game for consoles and PC”. It is probably safe to assume PS5 is one of the systems the developer plans to release on.
Former creative director at Playground Games Mike Brown founded the company, and has recruited Harinder Sangha (previously the co-studio head at Sumo Digital Leamington) as COO. Also joining the team from Playground Games are Tom Butcher (executive producer), Matt Craven (CTO), Gareth Harwood (content director), Fraser Strachan (audio director), and Ben Penrose (art director). From EA, Elly Marshall is the new developer’s UI/UX director.
A press release explains how Maverick Games has already secured “significant seed funding”, and is already “actively working” on its new game. Hires across all sectors are being conducted, with the studio promoting a “forward-looking culture” where “talented individuals are supported, inspired, and empowered to create”.
Mike Brown said: “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.”
Since development is presumably in the very early stages, this is a project you shouldn’t expect to see or hear from for a number of years. Still, it sounds like it could be an open world game to look out for in the future.
