Form

Half a dozen Playground Games veterans have left the company on a high, creating their own new studio–one with plenty of promise.

This newest addition to the line-up has secured an unspecified amount of seed funding to kick-start its first project, and recruit new staff across all disciplines, from graduate to lead roles. Unveiled today, Maverick Games is headed up by Mike Brown, the former creative director at Playground Games. If their combined experience is anything to go on, it could be one of the most promising developers to emerge in the last five years.

As more travelers turn to short-form video for trip discovery and inspiration, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are catching on.

Google is on a mission to surface this information in a more visual and engaging way through short-form video. Partnering with in-destination content creators to get relevant and compelling content is an extremely popular and cost-effective method for DMOs at any stage of their short-form video journey. These experienced creators are in the best position to deliver the variety and quality of video needed for any DMO to be successful, especially on channels that can be difficult to navigate. At CrowdRiff, we have a specialized team and technology that delivers compelling short-form videos to DMOs at scale, all powered by amazing local creators in a given destination. [This story](https://localhood.com/stories/55896c1e-0d65-4871-bb8c-e0bf8fee7882/bishops-pumpkin-farm) about a wheelchair-accessible corn maze shows how you can highlight attractions that are welcoming to those of all abilities. By working with content creators, DMOs can access more varied content from people who see and experience the destination differently and are on the ground every day. Without enough content to keep travelers engaged, DMOs lose the ability to maintain direct relationships with travelers and risk losing them to third-party travel partners. More than ever, travelers of all ages are searching for and discovering short-form video content to inspire and inform their journeys. But while the amount and frequency of short-form video DMOs need to post to make an impact is growing, their resources aren’t. Images, video, and audio capture the personality of a destination, from the crackle of a campfire to charming downtowns or the vibrant colors of local culinary delights. This is why it’s important for DMOs and businesses serving these travelers to deliver highly relevant, local, and engaging video. This makes short-form video discoverable and turns it into a combination of entertainment and information.

Several developers from Xbox's Forza Horizon developer Playground Games have left the company to form a new studio, Maverick Games.

Entertaining?](/articles/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-modok-explained) [Stephanie McMahon Resigns From WWE After Return of Vince4h ago - Stephanie McMahon steps down after over two decades at WWE.](/articles/stephanie-mcmahon-resigns-from-wwe-after-return-of-vince) [Sherlock Holmes Can Finally, Legally Smile14h ago - The estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had claimed ownership over any work in which Sherlock “could express emotion.” But now, he’s free to smile again.](/articles/why-sherlock-holmes-can-finally-smile) But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is finally ready to see if there’s a life away from The Prince of Darkness. [Eurogamer](https://www.eurogamer.net/forza-horizon-5-creative-director-and-several-team-members-break-away-from-playground-games), former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown will lead the new studio and is joined by five other former Playground employees. Everything I’ve seen as the game progresses tells me this is going to be a very high-quality release.” If only he can figure out how to leave him. He's forced to procure his master’s prey and do his bidding, no matter how debased.

Several former members of Playground Studios, the developer of Forza Horizon, have split off to form Maverick Games.

We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Brown said in a statement, “Our goal is for Maverick Games to be a studio people will love. The current studio staff include members of Playground, Sharkmob London and EA.

Former Forza Horizon leads, who played key roles at Xbox developer Playground Games, have officially departed to form their own triple-A 'forward-looking' ...

Despite the sparsity of the game announcement, there are reasons to be excited about Maverick and its plans. [said](https://www.gamespress.com/Announcing-MAVERICK-GAMES-Forza-Horizon-directors-unite-to-form-new-AA) of the new studio’s establishment. [The Art of Forza Horizon 5’s Audio Design, with Fraser Strachan](https://www.gameshub.com/news/features/forza-horizon-5-lead-audio-designer-fraser-strachan-7360/)

That is exactly the case with a couple of higher-ups at Playground Games, who have left the Forza Horizon and Fable developer to start their own studio. Mike ...

Brown also said that the team at Maverick Games is encouraged to take creative risks with their projects. Mike Brown and several other Playground veterans have formed Maverick Games, a new AAA gaming studio. The group all comes from high-level roles such as executive producer, content director, and audio director.

Playground Games' ex-Creative Director, Mike Brown, has announced the formation of a new AAA game development studio named Maverick Games.

“Our goal is for Maverick Games to be a studio people will love. Maverick stated that it has secured significant seed funding and is currently recruiting for roles from graduate to lead across all disciplines. Mike Brown leads Maverick’s founding team as Creative Director and Studio Head.

UK-based Maverick Games' first release will be an open-world title…

“Our goal is for Maverick Games to be a studio people will love,” said Brown. [reached 20 million players in under seven months](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/forza-horizon-5-has-reached-20-million-players/). [Forza](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/forza-series/) developer. [EA](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/companies/electronic-arts/) experience design director Elly Marshall is the company’s UX/UI director. [Microsoft](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/companies/microsoft/)’s [Forza Horizon](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/forza-series/forza-horizon-4/) series has left [Xbox](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms/xbox/)’s [Playground Games](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/companies/microsoft/playground-games/) to form a new triple-A development studio called Maverick Games. [Mike Brown](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/people/mike-brown/), who’s serving as its creative director and studio head.

The IBSA Goalball Sport Committee released the application form for all the teams that wish to apply for the 2023 IBSA World Games, which will be taking ...

Additionally, selected federations will be required to complete by-number and by-name entries for their teams in the IBSA Sports Administration System (ISAS). The deadline for IBSA member federations to apply for participation is January 25, 2023 (1800 GMT). Selection will be based on team performance at the previous IBSA World Goalball Championships followed by the ranking of teams within their regional qualification tournaments preceding the previous IBSA Goalball World Championships.

ICAEW's Tax Faculty has called on HMRC to improve form P11D, used to report benefits in kind, to simplify administration for HMRC, employers and employees.

You can sign up to the Tax Faculty's free enewsletter (TAXwire) which provides weekly updates on developments in tax. Join the Faculty for expert guidance and support enabling you to provide the best advice on tax to your clients or business. ICAEW's Tax Faculty is recognised internationally as a leading authority and source of expertise on taxation.