Forza Horizon Veterans Reveal Zombie Racer With First Gameplay Stream
Maverick Games, a new studio founded by former Forza Horizon developers, has officially announced the first live gameplay showcase for its upcoming open-world action racing title, Zombie Racer. The stream is scheduled to air on June 25 at 9:00 AM PDT, which corresponds to June 26 at midnight Beijing time. The presentation will be hosted by the studio’s core creative leads, including Creative Director Mike Brown, who previously worked on Forza Horizon 4 and 5, and Ben Penrose, who served as assistant art director and later art director on the Horizon series. Both developers will walk viewers through the game’s gameplay, visual style, and narrative design.
Mike Brown, a veteran of Playground Games with credits on Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5, serves as the creative director for Zombie Racer at Maverick Games. Joining him is Ben Penrose, who held art director roles across the Horizon franchise. According to the official announcement, both developers will provide detailed commentary on the game’s mechanics, visual identity, and storytelling approach during the upcoming broadcast. Their pedigree suggests a strong emphasis on high-quality open-world design and polished presentation.
Zombie Racer promises a fusion of multiple racing and action genres. The game map is inspired by the French Riviera coastline, featuring three major city hubs: Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez. Gameplay blends open-world cruising, professional track racing, street racing, and action-packed heists. Players can expect high-speed chase sequences, a grappling hook tool for creative maneuvers, and a midnight underground street racing aesthetic. The developers cite influences from Forza Horizon 5, Need for Speed Unbound, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
The game is scheduled to launch in spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. The first gameplay livestream will showcase core content including a cinematic main story campaign, a full voice cast, professional R1K circuit racing, and the distinctive heist and pursuit mechanics. For racing fans who enjoyed the Forza Horizon series, this project from its former key talent represents an intriguing new direction worth keeping an eye on.
