Amazon exits game publishing, cancels open-world racer
▼ Summary
– Amazon is scaling back its gaming efforts by ending a publishing deal with Maverick Games for an upcoming open-world racing title.
– The terminated deal was originally announced in 2024 and involved Amazon publishing a game from a studio founded by former Forza developers.
– Development on the untitled racing game will continue despite Amazon’s withdrawal from the publishing agreement.
– Maverick Games’ leadership states they are in active talks with new partners who share their long-term vision for the intellectual property.
– The studio plans to share more information about the game and its new partnership later this year.
Amazon has significantly reduced its involvement in the video game industry by terminating a major publishing agreement. The company will no longer serve as the publisher for an ambitious open-world racing game being developed by Maverick Games, a studio founded by veteran developers from the Forza franchise. This decision represents another step back from Amazon’s gaming ambitions, following previous restructuring and project cancellations within its Amazon Games division.
According to reports, the publishing deal for this highly anticipated project was initially announced in 2024. Maverick Games, led by studio heads Mike Brown and Harinder Sangha, has confirmed that development on the currently untitled racing title will proceed despite this setback. The team is actively seeking a new publishing partner who aligns with their long-term vision for the intellectual property. They have indicated that more information regarding the game’s future will be revealed before the end of the year.
This move is part of a broader pattern for Amazon, which has faced challenges in establishing a strong foothold in the competitive game publishing market. While the company has seen some success with titles like New World and through its publishing deal for Lost Ark, it has also shuttered several internal studios and canceled projects in recent years. The exit from the Maverick Games deal suggests a continued strategic shift, potentially focusing resources on areas with more proven returns or lower risk.
For gamers and industry observers, the fate of this particular racing game remains a point of interest. The pedigree of the development team, comprised of talent behind the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, had generated considerable excitement. The open-world racing genre is fiercely competitive, and securing the right publisher will be crucial for the project’s scale, marketing, and ultimate success. The coming months will be critical as Maverick Games negotiates to find a new home for its inaugural title.
(Source: The Verge)
