French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing 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: it gives Maverick a seasoned publishing ally for its first major title, while it adds an open‑world racing experience to Focus’s growing catalog. Earlier in 2024, Maverick had initially signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, still‑unrevealed, racing game. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that more directly exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverik searching for a new publishing home for the title that would eventually become Clutch. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, 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 search for a partner that not only provides financial support but also aligns with Maverick’s creative vision has clearly led them to Focus Entertainment, a publisher known for backing ambitious, genre‑defining projects. Focus Entertainment’s spokesperson 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 offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games that have traditionally comprised its slate, moving into a segment that has been dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release across the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The game promises an expansive, open‑world environment where players can explore a variety of terrains, customize vehicles, and engage in high‑octane races that blend realism with arcade‑style thrills.
According to the developers, the world will be populated with dynamic weather, day‑night cycles, and a living ecosystem that reacts to player actions, aiming to set a new benchmark for immersion in the racing genre. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership, stating: "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 the publisher’s confidence in Maverick’s leadership and the innovative direction of the project. 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 comments reflect a long‑standing passion for racing games, dating back to his tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where he helped shape the open‑world racing formula that many consider the gold standard. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup’s structure includes three primary 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 ecosystem of resources, from marketing and distribution expertise to technical support, which Maverick can leverage to bring Clutch to a global audience.
The formation of Maverick Games in 2023 was driven by a team of former Playground Games veterans who wanted to push the boundaries of what a racing title could achieve. Their experience at Playground, best known for the Forza Horizon franchise, gave them deep insight into creating expansive, player‑driven worlds. By assembling a team with a proven track record, Maverick positioned itself to attract a publisher capable of matching its aspirations. With the Amazon partnership dissolved, the shift to Focus represents more than just a new contract; it signals a strategic alignment of vision.
While Amazon’s decision was framed around focusing on projects that leverage its own infrastructure, Focus’s commitment is rooted in championing creative risk‑taking within the genre. This synergy is expected to benefit both parties: Maverick gains a publishing partner that appreciates the artistic goals of Clutch, and Focus adds a title that could become a flagship property in a market segment where it previously had limited presence.
Industry observers note that the open‑world racing niche has been relatively underserved, with most major releases adhering to circuit‑based formats. By delivering a sprawling, interactive world, Clutch could fill a gap and attract both hardcore racing enthusiasts and casual gamers seeking exploration and freedom.
The partnership’s timing also aligns with a broader industry trend toward more immersive, sandbox‑style experiences across genres. In summary, the Maverick‑Focus collaboration marks a pivotal moment for both companies. Maverick Games, founded by seasoned developers eager to realize a long‑held vision of an open‑world racing adventure, now has the publishing muscle of Focus Entertainment to bring Clutch to market.
Focus, meanwhile, expands its portfolio into a new domain, positioning itself as a publisher willing to back innovative, genre‑defining projects. As the spring 2027 launch approaches, both teams are poised to deliver a racing title that could reshape expectations and set a fresh benchmark for the industry.