French publishing house Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring to market the studio’s inaugural racing project, titled Clutch. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: Focus expands its catalogue into the open‑world racing genre, while Maverick secures a new publishing home after a recent shift in its partnership landscape.
In early 2024, Maverick Games had initially aligned itself with Amazon Game Studios to develop the still‑secret title that would later become known as Clutch. However, Amazon decided to end the arrangement earlier this year, citing a strategic decision to concentrate on initiatives that more directly leverage Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale. The termination left Maverick searching for a partner that shared its long‑term vision for the intellectual property.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been "in active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year." This statement underscored Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing ally whose goals align with the creative direction and commercial aspirations of Clutch. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, stating 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 flagship addition that can diversify its offerings beyond the more traditional action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games it has historically supported. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform launch aims to reach a broad audience of racing enthusiasts and open‑world explorers alike. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership philosophy: "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 intent to back projects that push genre boundaries and offer fresh experiences. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, added his perspective: "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 comment reflects a long‑standing passion for creating a seamless blend of expansive, free‑roaming environments with high‑octane racing mechanics—a vision that has been nurtured since the studio’s inception. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that oversees three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among these studios are Deck13, known for narrative‑driven titles; Streumon, which focuses on action‑oriented games; Twelve Tenths, a studio with a reputation for innovative indie projects; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This diversified portfolio provides Focus with a robust infrastructure to support a wide range of game types, including the ambitious open‑world racing experience envisioned for Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership includes Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Brown’s background in the Forza franchise brings a wealth of experience in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing worlds, and his transition to Maverick reflects a desire to push beyond the boundaries set by previous titles. The partnership between Maverick and Focus is expected to bring several advantages to the development of Clutch. Focus’s publishing expertise, marketing reach, and financial backing will allow Maverick to focus on polishing gameplay, refining the open‑world map, and delivering a high‑fidelity visual experience. Moreover, the collaboration opens doors for potential cross‑promotional opportunities within Pullup Entertainment’s network of studios, possibly leading to shared technology, talent exchange, and collaborative events that can boost the game’s visibility.
Industry observers note that the shift from Amazon to Focus could be beneficial for both parties. While Amazon’s resources are vast, its strategic focus on cloud services and internal ecosystem integration may have limited the creative freedom required for an ambitious open‑world racing title.
Focus, on the other hand, has a track record of nurturing niche genres and supporting developers who aim to innovate within their chosen fields. This alignment of creative vision and publishing support is likely to foster an environment where Clutch can evolve into a flagship title that stands out in a crowded market. Looking ahead, the development team has hinted at several core features that will define Clutch.
Players can expect a seamless, persistent world where races can be entered at any time, a dynamic weather system that influences vehicle handling, and a deep customization suite for both cars and driver avatars. The game will also incorporate a narrative layer, allowing players to engage with a storyline that unfolds as they explore the open world, encounter rival racers, and complete a variety of challenges. In addition to the core racing mechanics, the developers plan to integrate social and multiplayer components, enabling players to host spontaneous races, form clubs, and compete in seasonal events.
This approach aims to foster a vibrant community that keeps the game fresh long after launch. Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a promising convergence of creative ambition and publishing acumen. With a release scheduled for spring 2027 across major consoles and PC, Clutch is poised to become a notable entry in the open‑world racing genre, offering players a richly detailed world to explore, race, and personalize. The partnership underscores the importance of aligning developer vision with publisher support to bring innovative gaming experiences to market.