French publisher 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, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s vision for an open‑world racing experience. Initially, Maverick had struck a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same project back in 2024, when the game was still under wraps.
However, Amazon decided to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious title. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained that the studio is now engaged in “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP.” He added that Maverick looks forward to revealing more details later in the year as the partnership with Focus solidifies.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, stating that publishing Clutch will “strengthen its portfolio with its first entry into the open‑world racing space.” The publisher emphasized a shared ambition to deliver a standout experience and to establish Clutch as a major new racing intellectual property. By adding an open‑world racer to its catalogue, Focus aims to diversify its offerings beyond the more traditional action‑adventure and narrative‑driven titles it is known for. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game promises a vast, seamless world where players can freely explore a variety of environments, from bustling city streets to winding mountain roads, all rendered with high‑fidelity graphics and dynamic weather systems.
The developers have highlighted a deep customization system for both vehicles and driver avatars, allowing players to tailor their experience to personal preferences. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership, saying, “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.” This endorsement underscores Focus’s confidence in Maverick’s ability to push the boundaries of what a racing game can be.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed the sentiment: “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 a deep understanding of open‑world racing design and player expectations. The partnership also highlights the broader structure of Focus Entertainment, a French publisher that operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup manages three core divisions: 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 Maverick with access to a wealth of technical resources, marketing expertise, and distribution channels across multiple platforms. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s mission centers on delivering innovative, player‑focused experiences that blend high‑octane racing thrills with the freedom of an open world.
Their expertise in creating expansive, visually stunning environments is evident in the early footage and concept art released for Clutch, which showcases a living, breathing world filled with dynamic traffic, day‑night cycles, and a soundtrack that adapts to the player’s speed and surroundings. Beyond the core racing mechanics, Clutch aims to incorporate social and competitive features that encourage community engagement.
Planned multiplayer modes will allow players to race head‑to‑head in real time, host custom events, and compete in seasonal leaderboards that reward skill and creativity. Additionally, the game will feature a robust single‑player campaign that weaves narrative elements into the racing experience, giving players a sense of purpose as they progress through the open world. The decision to target a 2027 spring launch gives Maverick and Focus ample time to refine the game’s systems, polish its visual fidelity, and ensure a smooth launch across all three major platforms. It also aligns with the typical development cycles for large‑scale open‑world titles, allowing the team to iterate on player feedback from early demos and beta tests.
In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing strength. With Focus’s backing, Maverick is poised to deliver a groundbreaking racing title that could redefine the genre and establish Clutch as a flagship IP for both companies. Players and industry observers alike will be watching closely as the project progresses toward its anticipated 2027 debut.