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. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, combining Focus’s distribution expertise with Maverick’s creative vision for an open‑world racing experience. In early 2024, Maverick Games originally secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the same yet‑to‑be‑announced title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverick searching for a new partner who could share its long‑term ambitions for the intellectual property. 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." The search quickly led to Focus Entertainment, a publisher eager to expand its catalog into the open‑world racing genre.
Focus Entertainment’s leadership expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, said, "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." By adding Clutch to its slate, Focus aims to "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." Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. The game promises an expansive, open‑world environment where players can explore diverse landscapes, customize vehicles, and compete in high‑octane races that blend realistic physics with imaginative track design. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, 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 background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, and his team includes former Playground Games developers who left the studio in 2023 to launch Maverick.
The partnership also highlights Focus Entertainment’s broader corporate structure. Focus is a French publisher operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment, which oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.
Among these studios are Deck13, known for narrative‑driven action titles; Streumon, a specialist in tactical shooters; Twelve Tenths, which focuses on indie‑style experiences; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio, each contributing distinct expertise across genres. By aligning with Maverick, Focus not only diversifies its portfolio but also gains a foothold in a market segment that has seen growing consumer interest. Open‑world racing games have attracted players seeking freedom beyond traditional circuit racing, offering opportunities for exploration, discovery, and emergent gameplay.
Titles such as Forza Horizon and Need for Speed: Heat have demonstrated the commercial viability of this approach, and Clutch aims to push the envelope further with its own unique artistic direction and technical innovations. From a development standpoint, Clutch is being built on a next‑generation engine that leverages the hardware capabilities of the latest consoles and high‑end PCs. The engine supports dynamic weather systems, real‑time day‑night cycles, and a highly detailed world that reacts to player actions.
Vehicle physics are being fine‑tuned to deliver a balance between arcade‑style accessibility and realistic handling, ensuring that both casual players and hardcore racing enthusiasts can find satisfaction. In addition to core racing mechanics, the game will feature extensive customization options, allowing players to modify performance parts, visual aesthetics, and even audio signatures of their cars.
Multiplayer components are also in the works, with plans for both competitive races and cooperative open‑world events that encourage community interaction. The strategic timing of the release is noteworthy. Spring 2027 places Clutch in a launch window that avoids direct competition with major franchise releases, potentially giving it a clearer runway to capture media attention and player interest. Moreover, the continued growth of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S user bases, combined with the thriving PC gaming market, provides a broad audience for the title.
Overall, the Maverick‑Focus partnership exemplifies how independent studios can benefit from the resources and distribution networks of established publishers while retaining creative control. For Focus Entertainment, Clutch represents a bold entry into a new genre, reinforcing its commitment to supporting innovative developers and expanding its catalog with high‑quality, genre‑defining experiences. As development progresses, both companies have promised further updates later in the year, building anticipation among racing fans and industry observers alike.