French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing project, titled Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s vision for an open‑world racing experience.
In early 2024, Maverick Games initially struck a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unnamed title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the partnership earlier in the year, stating that it needed to concentrate on initiatives that more directly leveraged the company’s distinctive capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious project. Harinder Sangha, the co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now engaged in "active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year." This sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner whose strategic goals align with the creative direction of Clutch.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing that publishing Clutch will "strengthen [its] portfolio with its first entry into the open‑world racing space, driven by a shared ambition to deliver a standout experience and establish Clutch as a major new racing IP." The French publisher sees the title as a way to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, and to make a bold entry into a genre that has been dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This multi‑platform launch strategy is intended to maximize reach and ensure that players across different ecosystems can experience the open‑world racing adventure.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, added: "At Focus, we look to partner with creators who are redefining their genre. Mike Brown and his team are regarded as one of the defining creative voices in the racing genre, and Clutch embodies exactly the creative ambition Focus Entertainment wants to champion." Chataignier’s remarks highlight the publisher’s confidence in Maverick’s leadership and the innovative potential of the project. Mike Brown, the founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this enthusiasm: "We founded Maverick Games to build the open‑world racing experience we'd dreamed about for years.
Focus shares our creative bar and our ambition for Clutch, and we can't wait for players everywhere to discover this world." Brown’s background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, giving him deep insight into what makes an open‑world racing game compelling. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that oversees several distinct divisions. Pullup’s structure includes Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios such as Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This network provides a robust support system for publishing partners, offering resources ranging from marketing and distribution to technical assistance and quality assurance. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former developers from Playground Games, a studio renowned for its work on the Forza Horizon franchise.
The founding team, led by Brown, sought to create a studio that could pursue a more daring, open‑world approach to racing—one that blends the thrill of high‑speed competition with the freedom of exploration in a richly detailed environment. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner reflects a broader trend in the industry where developers seek publishers that not only provide financial backing but also share a clear creative vision. While Amazon’s decision to step away was framed around strategic focus, it opened the door for Maverick to align with a publisher that is actively looking to expand into new genres and support ambitious, genre‑defining projects. Clutch aims to differentiate itself from existing racing titles by offering a seamless open world where players can engage in a variety of race types, from street sprints to off‑road challenges, all while interacting with a living, breathing environment that reacts to the player’s actions.
The developers have hinted at dynamic weather systems, a day‑night cycle, and a narrative layer that ties together the racing events, providing context and motivation beyond simple competition. In addition to the core gameplay loop, the team plans to incorporate extensive vehicle customization options, allowing players to modify performance, aesthetics, and handling characteristics to suit their personal driving style.
Community features such as user‑generated content, leaderboards, and seasonal events are also on the roadmap, aiming to keep the game fresh and engaging long after launch. The partnership with Focus also brings marketing muscle to the table. Focus’s experience in launching titles across multiple regions will be crucial for positioning Clutch in both Western and Asian markets, where racing games have distinct player expectations and competitive landscapes. The publisher’s existing relationships with platform holders will facilitate prominent placement on digital storefronts and potential collaborations for exclusive content.
Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative ambition and publishing expertise. With a launch targeted for spring 2027, the industry will be watching closely to see how Clutch reshapes the open‑world racing genre and whether it can establish itself as a lasting franchise in a market dominated by legacy series.
As development progresses, both companies have pledged to keep the community informed with regular updates, developer diaries, and beta testing opportunities. This transparent approach aims to build excitement and gather player feedback, ensuring that the final product aligns with the expectations of racing enthusiasts worldwide.
In summary, the shift from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner has positioned Maverick Games to realize its vision for Clutch—a groundbreaking, open‑world racing experience that aspires to set new standards for immersion, customization, and player agency within the genre.