Maverick Games Teams Up with Focus Entertainment to Release Its First Racing Game, Clutch

French publishing house Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies as they aim to carve out a distinctive niche in the competitive open‑world racing genre. Initially, Maverick Games had secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the as‑yet‑unnamed project back in 2024. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.

This decision left Maverick searching for a new partner that could share 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 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." The ongoing conversations have culminated in the alliance with Focus Entertainment, a move that both parties believe will accelerate the development and eventual launch of Clutch. Focus Entertainment highlighted 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 an opportunity to diversify its catalog, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented titles, by adding a high‑octane, expansive driving experience. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.

This multi‑platform launch strategy is designed to reach a broad audience of racing enthusiasts and gamers who enjoy open‑world exploration. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, commented on the partnership: "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 underscore the publisher’s confidence in Maverick’s creative leadership and its potential to deliver a fresh, immersive racing experience. Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, 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 statement reflects the studio’s dedication to crafting a game that blends the freedom of open‑world exploration with the thrill of high‑speed competition. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that oversees three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.

Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This extensive network provides a robust infrastructure for supporting ambitious projects like Clutch, offering resources ranging from technical expertise to marketing support. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership brings a wealth of experience from the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown previously served as creative director.

This background equips Maverick with a deep understanding of what makes open‑world racing games compelling—dynamic environments, diverse vehicle customization, and a strong sense of progression. The partnership between Maverick and Focus is expected to leverage these strengths while addressing the challenges inherent in developing a large‑scale open‑world title. By combining Maverick’s design vision with Focus’s publishing capabilities, the two companies aim to deliver a polished, content‑rich experience that stands out in a market dominated by established franchises.

Industry observers note that the shift away from Amazon as a publishing partner could prove advantageous for Maverick. While Amazon brings considerable distribution power, its strategic focus on projects that align closely with its cloud and retail ecosystem may have limited the creative latitude needed for a game like Clutch.

Focus, by contrast, appears more willing to invest in niche, genre‑defining projects that prioritize artistic ambition over immediate commercial metrics. Looking ahead, both Maverick and Focus have hinted at further announcements related to Clutch throughout the remainder of 2026. These could include gameplay reveals, developer diaries, or beta testing opportunities designed to build community excitement and gather feedback.

In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing expertise. With a release window set for spring 2027 across major console and PC platforms, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy entry in the open‑world racing arena, offering players a fresh take on high‑speed adventure backed by seasoned industry veterans.