Playground Games leaders form new AAA studio Maverick Games "We are going to build a team where we really encourage them to take creative risks" Some of the leaders behind the Forza Horizon series have formed a new AAA games studio in Leamington Spa called Maverick Games.We are going to build a team where we really encourage them to take creative risks, to try new things, and really celebrates that as part of our culture.” Brown says that the goal is to create a studio where people are excited to come, and this is where Sangha – a former Best Boss winner at the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards – comes in.When we talk about developer-first, it is exactly [what Mike was saying], making the games that we want to make.We've all been places that haven't been so great, this is about putting them in an environment where they're challenged, where they're involved in what's going on, they have a voice, they’re appreciated, they're valued... all the things that bring out the best in people.” She continues: “Mike's challenge is to come up with a world class game, and my challenge is to make this a world class studio.” Sangha says the studio isn’t here to dictate to staff about what they should do, even the junior employees.It's being willing to not just say to the rest of the team 'oh don't worry about it, because he's really good'.” Maverick will have an office in Leamington, but Brown says that they will have a “modern approach” in terms of hybrid and remote working."