Amazon Games has pulled out as the publisher of Maverick Games’ upcoming narrative-driven open-world driving game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC – but development is continuing, and the studio is already talking to new potential partners.

According to The Game Business, Amazon Games has abandoned its previously announced plan to publish Maverick Games’ debut title, described as a narrative, open-world driving experience. The project itself is not being shelved: it remains in development, and the studio is said to be in active discussions with potential publishing partners. If those talks land where everyone hopes they will, more information is expected later this year.

Why Amazon Stepped Back

An Amazon Games spokesperson framed the move as part of a broader shift toward projects that better match the company’s priorities. As quoted by The Game Business: “As part of our strategic evolution to focus on projects that leverage Amazon’s unique strengths and scale – including the recent relaunch of Luna and our partnership with Crystal Dynamics on the Tomb Raider franchise – we have decided to release Maverick Games from their publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios. We have tremendous respect for the Maverick Games team and the compelling narrative-driven driving experience they’re creating. This decision allows Maverick Games the flexibility to find a publishing partner whose strategic priorities are better aligned with bringing their game to market. We’re proud of what we accomplished together during our partnership and wish them every success in the future.”

Maverick Games is presenting the situation as a publishing change rather than a derailment. Co-founder Mike Brown and studio head Harinder Sangha added: “We’re grateful to Amazon Games for their partnership and collaboration. Development of our debut title continues to progress as strongly as planned. We’re in active dialogue with partners who share our long-term ambition for the IP, and we look forward to sharing more later this year.”

For now, the obvious question is who takes over the publishing slot. What feels less debatable is the pattern this keeps reinforcing: in games, a bottomless wallet still doesn’t automatically translate into competence, clarity, or follow-through. The hope is that this one doesn’t end with the project quietly disappearing into a bin somewhere, but the next step is straightforward – Maverick Games needs a publisher that will actually carry it to launch.

Source: Gematsu, The Game Business