Ex-Forza Horizon Director Jokes About Making Xbox’s Next Halo
Mike Brown, former director at Playground Games known for his significant contributions to the Forza Horizon franchise, has ventured into independent game development since founding Maverick Games in 2022. He is currently developing Clutch, an ambitious open-world driving game scheduled for release on Xbox in spring 2027, marking a major project for his newly established studio.
During a recent appearance on the MinnMax podcast with host Ben Hanson, Brown discussed his transition from working at the established Playground Games and Xbox ecosystem to establishing and running his own independent studio. He reflected on both the challenges and rewards of founding a game development company, as well as his experiences departing from his previous roles.
In a lighthearted moment during the interview, Brown humorously pitched an open-world Halo game as a potential future project, expressing his enthusiasm for the beloved science fiction franchise. The comment, made in jest, showcased Brown’s ambition and desire to work on some of gaming’s most iconic and recognizable properties while pursuing independent ventures. Brown’s remarks highlight the career trajectory of experienced industry veterans transitioning to independent development.