Playground Games’ studio director Gavin Raeburn, who’s also one of the founders, has left the studio after serving for a time period of 12 years. Playground Games is best known for its work on the Forza Horizon series, and is considered to be one of the most consistent studios in the Xbox Game Studios roster.
Microsoft confirmed the departure via Windows Central, and clarified that co-founder Trevor Williams will be serving as the studio head from now on, as the team continues to support Forza Horizon 5 and carry on development of the upcoming Fable.
“After 12 years working on five award-winning Forza Horizon games, Gavin Raeburn is leaving Playground Games as Studio Director,” said Alan Hartman, Microsoft’s CVP of Forza and Fable. “A founding member of Playground Games, we thank Gav for his leadership and contributions to the Forza franchise and wish him all the best. Co-founder Trevor Williams will transition from General Manager to Studio Head effective immediately, as the Playground Games team focuses on updates to Forza Horizon 5 and the development of Fable.”
Raeburn is a veteran developer of the industry, with credits on Codemasters’ titles like Grid and Dirt before the co-founding of Playground Games. Playground Games recently shipped the excellent Forza Horizon 5, an excellent open-world racer that garnered huge 10 million player base mere days after its launch. The game even grabbed many Game of the Year awards, including our own, which you can check out through here.