French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies, as it combines Focus’s extensive distribution network and publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience.
The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios to develop an as‑yet‑unnamed racing game. That relationship was short‑lived; Amazon decided to end the agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better leverage the company’s unique technological capabilities and massive scale. While the termination could have been a setback, Maverick’s leadership quickly pivoted to seek new publishing allies who shared their long‑term ambitions for the intellectual property. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, told 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 statement underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing partner that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with the creative direction and quality standards the team has set for Clutch.
Focus Entertainment’s announcement 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 this partnership as an opportunity to diversify its catalog, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented titles, by adding a high‑profile, open‑world racing game that could compete with established franchises in the genre. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 on the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC.
This multi‑platform launch strategy aims to capture a broad audience of racing enthusiasts, from console gamers who enjoy the immersive capabilities of next‑gen hardware to PC players who value customization and high‑performance graphics. 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 from a senior executive at Focus signals strong confidence in Maverick’s design philosophy and the potential market impact of Clutch. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this enthusiasm: "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 reflect the studio’s original mission to craft a racing game that goes beyond traditional circuit racing, offering a sprawling, living world where players can explore diverse environments, engage in dynamic weather systems, and experience a sense of freedom rarely seen in the genre. Focus Entertainment, a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, operates three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This extensive network provides Maverick with access to a wealth of technical resources, marketing expertise, and distribution channels that can help Clutch reach a global audience.
Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing with them a rich background in creating critically acclaimed racing titles such as the Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown previously served as creative director on those games, giving him deep insight into what makes an open‑world racing experience compelling—whether it’s the seamless transition between high‑speed highways, off‑road tracks, and urban streets, or the integration of a robust progression system that rewards exploration and skill. The partnership between Maverick and Focus also opens the door for potential post‑launch support, including downloadable content, seasonal events, and community‑driven updates that could keep the game fresh for years after its initial release. By leveraging Focus’s publishing infrastructure, Maverick can focus on refining gameplay mechanics, expanding the game world, and ensuring that the visual fidelity meets the expectations of next‑gen hardware.
In summary, the collaboration represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing muscle. Focus Entertainment gains its first foray into the open‑world racing arena, while Maverick Games secures a stable, experienced partner to bring Clutch to market.
With a projected launch in spring 2027 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the game is poised to make a significant splash in the racing genre, offering players an expansive, immersive world to explore and race through. The combined expertise of both companies suggests that Clutch could become a landmark title, setting new standards for open‑world racing experiences and establishing a fresh intellectual property that may evolve into a long‑running franchise.