Mohawk games was co-founded in 2013 by Firaxis veterans Soren Johnson and Dorian Newcomb.[3][4][5] The studio is based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, home to several video game studios that could trace their lineage back to Microprose from the 1980s,[6] a studio that itself had veterans who formed Firaxis.[7] The studio was founded as part of the Stardock strategic investment fund to promote strategy game development.[8][9] According to later President Leyla Johnson, "the small studio once comprised solely white men" early in its foundation, as part of an industry trend in the early 2010s.[10]
The studio's first effort was an economic real-time strategy game called Offworld Trading Company, for the PC.[11] Johnson has said that he prefers developing for the PC because of the lack of gatekeepers.[12] The game was published by Stardock Entertainment.[13][14]Offworld Trading Company featured music from Grammy-award-winning composer Christopher Tin, an old roommate of Soren Johnson who also provided the soundtrack for Civilization IV.[15]Offworld Trading Company entered Steam's Early Access program in 2015,[11] and was eventually released in 2016.[16] After its launch, Brad Wardell, who has served as President stepped down and promoted Dorian Newcomb as President.[13]
In 2018, Mohawk announced a new strategy game published by Starbreeze called 10 Crowns,[17] a title which they later changed to Old World.[18] Mohawk used Old World as an opportunity to improve on Johnson's work on Civilization 3, focusing on AI and diplomacy that would feel more immersive and less like a game.[18] In 2019, their Sweden-based publisher encountered financial issues, and sold the rights to Mohawk's upcoming game back to them.[19][20][21][22][23] Soren Johnson stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by Leyla Johnson, who prioritized greater gender equity at the studio and in the broader game industry.[24] By 2020, the studio had announced that it had successfully diversified their team and published a code of conduct.[10]
