Microsoft suffers yet another loss. This time, those who left are not the developers of Fable or Halo Infinite, but the creators of Forza Horizon.
It is not rank-and-file staff who are leaving, but lead developers. This time, Playground Games has lost several lead developers who will establish their own studio.
The newly formed Maverick Games consists of:
- Mike Brown, creative director of Forza Horizon.
- Harinder Sangha, co-lead of Sumo Digital Leamington.
- Tom Butcher, lead producer at Playground Games.
- Matt Craven, technical director at Playground Games.
- Gareth Harwood, technical art director at Playground Games.
- Fraser Strachan, audio director at Playground Games.
- Elly Marshall, worked on UX/UI at Electronic Arts.
- Ben Penrose, art director at Playground Games.
Maverick Games is reportedly already developing a high-quality project that players will enjoy. Developers should also enjoy working at Maverick Games, as they are creating a place where everyone is encouraged to take risks, be creative, and be themselves.