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. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: Focus expands its catalogue with a first‑ever open‑world racing entry, while Maverick secures a seasoned partner after an earlier arrangement fell through. In early 2024 Maverick Games had initially signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the then‑secret project.
However, Amazon chose to dissolve the partnership earlier this year, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that more directly leverage the unique capabilities and scale of the Amazon ecosystem. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious title. 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 sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publisher that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with the creative vision behind Clutch. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing that adding Clutch to its lineup 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 company sees the project as a chance to diversify its offerings beyond its traditional focus on narrative‑driven titles and action‑adventure games.
The game is slated for a Spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This timeline gives Maverick ample development time to polish the expansive open‑world environment, refine vehicle physics, and integrate the myriad gameplay systems that will set Clutch apart from other racing experiences.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, added that the publisher looks for collaborators who are "redefining their genre." He singled out Mike Brown and his team as "one of the defining creative voices in the racing genre," noting that Clutch embodies exactly the type of bold, innovative ambition that Focus wants to champion. This endorsement signals that Focus believes the project has the potential to become a flagship title for both parties.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed the enthusiasm, stating: "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 remarks highlight the studio’s long‑standing desire to craft a seamless, expansive racing sandbox where players can freely explore diverse landscapes, engage in dynamic weather systems, and compete in both structured events and spontaneous street races. Background on the companies involved provides further context.
Focus Entertainment is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew (which focuses on indie and retro‑style titles), and a collection of development studios such as Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This diversified portfolio gives Focus access to a broad range of development talent and publishing expertise, which should prove valuable in supporting Maverick’s ambitious scope. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of veterans from Playground Games, the studio best known for the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on several Forza Horizon installments, brings a wealth of experience in crafting open‑world racing environments that blend realistic vehicle handling with vibrant, accessible gameplay. His background suggests that Clutch will likely inherit the sense of freedom and visual polish that made the Horizon titles popular, while pushing the genre into new territory with its own unique aesthetic and mechanical innovations.
Given the shift from Amazon to Focus, several strategic advantages emerge for Maverick. First, Focus’s focus on publishing rather than platform‑specific services may afford Maverick greater creative autonomy, allowing the studio to iterate on core gameplay loops without the constraints of a larger tech‑centric publisher. Second, the French publisher’s established relationships with console manufacturers and its experience navigating multi‑platform releases should smooth the path to market for Clutch.
Finally, the partnership aligns Maverick with a publisher that actively seeks genre‑defining projects, potentially providing additional marketing muscle and post‑launch support. From a market perspective, the open‑world racing genre remains relatively under‑explored compared to more linear racing simulators or arcade‑style titles. While games like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed have demonstrated the appeal of large, explorable maps, there is still room for a fresh IP that blends deep customization, narrative elements, and a living world that reacts to player actions. Clutch aims to fill that niche, promising a seamless blend of high‑octane racing thrills and immersive world‑building.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing capability. With a projected Spring 2027 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch is positioned to become a noteworthy addition to the racing genre, leveraging the expertise of industry veterans and the support of a publisher eager to expand into new territory. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering a distinctive, high‑quality experience that could set a new benchmark for open‑world racing games.