French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring to market Maverick’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 seasoned publishing partner after an earlier arrangement fell through. In early 2024, Maverick Games had initially joined forces with Amazon Game Studios to develop the yet‑to‑be‑named racing title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier in the year, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that better exploit Amazon’s distinctive capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing ally that shared its vision for an ambitious, open‑world racing experience. 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." This sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner whose strategic goals align with the creative direction of Clutch. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing 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 will diversify its offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games it is traditionally known for. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The game promises an expansive, seamless world where players can compete in a variety of high‑octane events, customize vehicles, and explore a richly detailed environment that reacts dynamically to player choices. Vincent Chataignier, deputy chief executive officer 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 highlights the respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly studio founder and chief executive Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown added his perspective, noting, "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." His remarks convey both the passion behind the project and the confidence that the partnership will provide the resources and expertise needed to realize the studio’s vision. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that manages three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for titles such as "The Surge" series; Streumon, creators of "Mordhau"; Twelve Tenths, the team behind "The Last Oricru"; Leikir Studio; Blackmill; Dovetail; and Carpool Studio.
This extensive network gives Focus access to a broad talent pool and technical capabilities that can support ambitious projects like Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers, a studio renowned for its work on the Forza Horizon franchise. The founding team, led by Brown, sought to break away from the constraints of existing IPs and craft a racing game that offers a truly open world, where players are not limited to linear tracks but can roam freely, discover hidden routes, and engage in spontaneous challenges. Their experience on Forza Horizon—particularly its emphasis on seamless world design and community‑driven events—directly informs the design philosophy of Clutch.
The transition from Amazon to Focus as a publishing partner is expected to have several practical implications for the development timeline and marketing strategy. While Amazon’s withdrawal was framed as a strategic refocus, it also meant that Maverick needed to secure funding, distribution channels, and promotional support elsewhere. Focus brings to the table a deep understanding of the European market, strong relationships with console manufacturers, and a proven track record of launching successful mid‑tier titles. This should help ensure that Clutch receives the visibility it needs to compete with established franchises such as "Gran Turismo" and "Need for Speed." In addition to the core game, Maverick plans to support Clutch with post‑launch content, including new vehicle packs, seasonal events, and community‑driven challenges.
The studio has hinted at a live‑service component that will keep the world evolving long after the initial release, a model that has proven effective for other open‑world experiences. By leveraging Focus’s publishing infrastructure, Maverick expects to deliver regular updates without compromising the quality of the base game. Overall, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative ambition and publishing expertise.
With a release window set for spring 2027, both companies are positioning Clutch to become a landmark title in the racing genre, offering players an unprecedented level of freedom, immersion, and excitement in an open‑world setting.