Amazon Game Studios has officially ended its publishing partnership with UK developer Maverick Games, canceling the release of a highly anticipated AAA open-world driving title. The game, which was planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, is no longer on Amazon's release schedule.
Maverick Games, founded in 2022 by industry veterans including former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown, is now seeking a new partner to bring its narrative-driven racing experience to market. Studio lead Harinder Sangha confirmed that development is progressing smoothly and that the team is actively discussing future publishing opportunities.
Strategic Shift for Amazon
This separation marks a continuation of Amazon's efforts to scale back its gaming investments. Over the past year, the tech giant has reduced staff working on New World: Aeternum—which goes offline early next year—ceased operations on the co-op title King of Meat, and sold the MOBA March of Giants to Ubisoft. Additionally, Christoph Hartmann, the head of Amazon Game Studios, recently departed the company.
In an official statement, an Amazon spokesperson clarified that the company is evolving its strategy to focus on projects that leverage Amazon's specific strengths. This includes a renewed focus on their Luna game streaming service and significant upcoming releases like the Tomb Raider franchise.
Future Outlook
Despite the cancellation of the Maverick partnership, Amazon remains committed to publishing two upcoming Tomb Raider titles: Legacy of Atlantis (a reimagining of the 1996 classic expected this year) and Catalyst (a new adventure slated for 2027).
Maverick Games expressed gratitude for their time working with Amazon and stated they are looking for a partner whose strategic priorities better align with their vision for the IP.
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