French publishing house Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing project, titled Clutch, to market. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: it gives Focus its first foothold in the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverick with a seasoned publisher to help launch its ambitious new IP. The journey of Clutch began in 2024 when Maverick Games first struck a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios.
At that time the game was still under wraps, and the partnership was expected to leverage Amazon’s extensive resources and distribution channels. However, earlier this year Amazon announced that it was ending the arrangement, stating that it needed to concentrate on initiatives that better aligned with "Amazon’s unique strengths and scale." The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing partner that shared its vision for an expansive, open‑world racing experience. 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 quote underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a collaborator that not only provides financial backing but also understands the creative direction and longevity the team envisions for Clutch. Focus Entertainment responded to this need with enthusiasm.
In a statement, the French publisher said that publishing Clutch would "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 partnership therefore serves a dual purpose: it expands Focus’s catalogue beyond its traditional titles and gives Maverick the publishing muscle required to bring a technically demanding, world‑building racing game to a global audience. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release on the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC.
The game promises an open‑world environment where players can explore a richly detailed landscape, engage in high‑speed competition, and customize vehicles to a degree rarely seen in the genre. By targeting both console and PC platforms, Maverick aims to maximize reach and ensure that the title is accessible to a broad spectrum of racing enthusiasts. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy, noting, "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 highlights the respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly studio head Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed these sentiments: "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 a clear, long‑term vision: to craft a racing universe that feels both expansive and immersive, offering players a level of freedom and detail that goes beyond traditional circuit‑based titles. Focus Entertainment itself is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that oversees several 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 a robust infrastructure for marketing, distribution, and post‑launch support, which will be crucial for Clutch’s success in a competitive market. Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing with them a wealth of experience from the Forza Horizon franchise—a series known for its open‑world design and vibrant visual style. This pedigree positions Maverick well to tackle the challenges of creating a new open‑world racing IP. The studio’s ambition is not merely to replicate existing formulas but to push the boundaries of what a racing game can offer, integrating deeper storytelling, dynamic weather systems, and a living world that reacts to player actions.
The partnership with Focus also opens doors for potential post‑launch content and live‑service elements. Given Focus’s track record with ongoing support for its titles, players can anticipate regular updates, new vehicles, and expanded map regions that keep the experience fresh well after the initial release. Moreover, the collaboration may lead to cross‑promotional opportunities within Pullup Entertainment’s broader ecosystem, leveraging the strengths of its sister studios to enrich Clutch’s gameplay and community engagement.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing expertise. With a launch window set for spring 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch is poised to make a significant impact on the racing genre, offering an open‑world experience that blends high‑octane action with deep customization and a living environment. Both companies appear committed to delivering a product that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of racing fans worldwide, setting the stage for Clutch to become a flagship title in the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment.