Amazon abandons its open world driving game with Maverick Games
The game is still deep in development but seeking a new partner. Tomb Raider remains
Amazon will no-longer publish the open world driving game from UK developer Maverick Games, The Game Business can reveal.
The game is a AAA narrative-led game for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S and X. Maverick is a UK developer formed in 2022 by racing game veterans, including co-founder Mike Brown who was formally creative director on the Forza Horizon series. The studio is run by former Sega Hardlight and Sumo Leamington boss Harinder Sangha.
Amazon has significantly scaled back its game publishing and development projects. Last year, it cut most of its MMO development staff, including those working on New World: Aeternum (which goes offline on January 31 next year), and an unannounced Lord of the Rings MMO. It has also ceased operations on the newly released co-op game King of Meat, and sold the unreleased MOBA March of Giants to Ubisoft.
The head of Amazon Game Studios Christoph Hartmann left the firm last month.
The company will continue to publish the two upcoming Tomb Raider games. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a reimagining of the original 1996 game, and it’s due this year. Tomb Raider Catalyst is an entirely new adventure that’s due out in 2027. Amazon is also behind the upcoming Tomb Raider TV show, which has just entered production.
Amazon will also continue to support its Luna game streaming service.
In a statement, an Amazon Game Studios spokesperson told The Game Business: “As part of our strategic evolution to focus on projects that leverage Amazon’s unique strengths and scale, including the recent re-launch of Luna and our Tomb Raider franchise partnership with Crystal Dynamics, we have decided to release Maverick Games from their publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios.
“We have tremendous respect for the Maverick Games team and the compelling narrative-led driving experience they’re creating. This decision allows Maverick Games the flexibility to find a publishing partner whose strategic priorities are better aligned with bringing their game to market. We’re proud of what we accomplished together during our partnership and wish them every success in the future.”
“This decision allows Maverick Games the flexibility to find a publishing partner whose strategic priorities are better aligned with bringing their game to market”
Mike Brown and Harinder Sangha added: “We’re grateful to Amazon Games for their partnership and collaboration. Development of our debut title continues to progress as strongly as planned. We’re in active dialogue with partners who share our long-term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year.”