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 as they aim to introduce a fresh, open‑world racing experience to gamers worldwide. In early 2024, Maverick Games originally struck a deal with Amazon Game Studios to develop the then‑secret title. However, Amazon chose to end that agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing home for its ambitious project. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been actively engaging with potential partners who share its long‑term vision for the Clutch intellectual property. He indicated that discussions are ongoing and that further details will be disclosed later in the year, underscoring the studio’s confidence that the right partnership will help bring the game to fruition.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, stating that adding Clutch to its slate will diversify its portfolio by venturing into the open‑world racing genre for the first time. The publisher emphasized a mutual ambition to craft a standout title that could become a flagship racing IP, positioning Clutch as a cornerstone of its future growth strategy.
The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. This multi‑platform launch reflects the developers’ intent to reach a broad audience of racing enthusiasts across the major console ecosystems and the PC market.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy chief executive officer of Focus Entertainment Publishing, highlighted the company’s philosophy of collaborating with creators who are reshaping their respective genres. He praised Mike Brown and his development team as leading creative voices within the racing space, noting that Clutch embodies the very type of visionary ambition that Focus seeks to support and amplify. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, added that the studio was founded with the explicit goal of delivering the open‑world racing experience he and his team had imagined for years. He expressed enthusiasm that Focus shares the same high standards and creative aspirations, and he looks forward to players around the globe exploring the expansive world that Clutch will offer.
Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that oversees several divisions, including 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 extensive network provides a robust infrastructure for publishing, marketing, and supporting new titles like Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership includes Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
His background in creating large‑scale, open‑world racing environments informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend high‑octane racing action with a richly detailed, explorable world. The partnership between Maverick and Focus is expected to combine Maverick’s deep expertise in racing game design with Focus’s publishing acumen and global distribution channels. Together, they plan to deliver a title that not only pushes the technical limits of next‑generation hardware but also offers a compelling narrative and a living world that evolves as players progress. Industry analysts anticipate that Clutch could set a new benchmark for open‑world racing games, a sub‑genre that has seen limited entries to date.
By leveraging cutting‑edge graphics, dynamic weather systems, and an expansive map that spans diverse biomes, the developers aim to create a sense of freedom and immersion that rivals the best open‑world experiences in other genres. In addition to the core racing mechanics, the game is expected to feature robust customization options for both vehicles and player avatars, a progression system that rewards skillful driving, and online multiplayer modes that encourage competitive and cooperative play. These elements are designed to foster a vibrant community and extend the game’s longevity beyond the initial launch window. As the release date approaches, both Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment have indicated that they will roll out a series of developer diaries, behind‑the‑scenes looks, and beta testing opportunities to engage the community and gather feedback.
This iterative development approach aims to fine‑tune gameplay balance, address technical issues, and ensure that the final product meets the high expectations set by both the studio and its future players. Overall, the collaboration signals a promising future for Clutch, positioning it as a potential flagship title that could redefine what players expect from open‑world racing experiences. With a targeted spring 2027 launch and a multi‑platform strategy, the game is poised to make a significant impact on the racing genre and expand the reach of both Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment in the competitive gaming market.