Amazon to publish open-world driving game from former Forza Horizon devs

If you enjoyed the Forza Horizon titles from Playground Games, Amazon's latest foray into gaming may rev your engine.

The company has announced it will publish a new driving game from Maverick Games, a team of former Playground Games alumni.

But it's a little less track simulation and a lot more free-roaming, marking a welcome shift in the Forza series...

Amazon to publish open-world racing game from former Playground Games team

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While the game has no title as yet, we know it'll be a "narrative-led open-world driving game" and that it's aiming to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

"In our ongoing global search for talented development teams who are building compelling titles that players will love, Maverick Games stood out as a studio that can deliver on all fronts," VP of Amazon Games Christoph Hartmann said in a press release.

"We founded Maverick Games with a clear vision: to build a developer-first studio that would foster an environment of creativity and risk-taking," said Mike Brown, formerly the creative director of the Forza Horizon franchise.

As for that narrative focus, Jamie Brittain, co-creator of British teen drama Skins, will be the lead writer on the game, while other team members have worked on the likes of DIRT, GRID, and Just Cause 3.

It's a big day for publishing deals it seems - earlier on we reported that former Rocksteady devs have reportedly agreed a publishing deal with Xbox.

As for Playground Games, the studio is currently working on the Fable reboot as an Xbox and PC exclusive, which marks a big departure from its critically acclaimed open-world racing franchise.