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 step for both companies: Focus expands its catalogue into the open‑world racing genre, while Maverick secures a seasoned publishing ally after an earlier arrangement fell through. In early 2024, Maverick Games had initially signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the project, which at the time was still under wraps.
However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new partner that shared its long‑term vision for the IP.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now 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 underscored Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing home that not only provides financial backing but also embraces the creative direction of the game. Focus Entertainment’s official statement highlighted the strategic fit, noting 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 project that can diversify its offerings beyond its traditional focus on narrative‑driven and action‑adventure titles. Clutch is slated for a Spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The game promises an expansive open‑world environment where players can explore varied terrains, compete in high‑speed events, and customize their vehicles in unprecedented ways. While detailed gameplay mechanics have yet to be fully disclosed, the developers have hinted at a blend of realistic driving physics and arcade‑style freedom, aiming to appeal to both hardcore racing enthusiasts and casual gamers. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO 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 positions Mike Brown as a key figure in the racing community, drawing on his prior experience as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. 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 comments reflect a deep personal investment in the project, stemming from his background at Playground Games, where he helped shape the Forza Horizon franchise. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that manages three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.
Among its studio roster are Deck13, known for the Gothic‑style action RPGs; Streumon, which focuses on indie‑style titles; Twelve Tenths, a studio with a reputation for narrative‑driven experiences; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This extensive network provides Focus with a robust infrastructure for marketing, distribution, and technical support, which should benefit Clutch’s launch and post‑release lifecycle. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games veterans. The studio’s mission centers on delivering an open‑world racing experience that pushes the boundaries of scale, immersion, and player agency.
By leveraging the expertise of its founders—particularly Brown’s tenure as creative director on multiple Forza Horizon installments—the studio aims to blend the best aspects of open‑world exploration with the adrenaline‑pumping thrills of competitive racing. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner also reflects broader industry trends. Large tech‑focused publishers like Amazon are increasingly concentrating on projects that directly leverage their cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities, and massive user bases. Meanwhile, more traditional game publishers such as Focus are doubling down on niche expertise, cultivating strong relationships with developers who have a clear genre focus.
This realignment allows studios like Maverick to find a partner whose strategic priorities align more closely with the creative aspirations of the game. Looking ahead, the partnership will involve joint efforts in marketing, community building, and post‑launch support.
Focus’s experience in handling multi‑platform releases will be crucial for ensuring Clutch reaches a global audience, while Maverick’s deep understanding of racing game design will drive ongoing content updates and live‑service features. Both parties have indicated that they plan to share additional details about the game’s world, vehicle roster, and competitive modes later in the year, building anticipation among fans of the genre. In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a promising union of creative vision and publishing muscle. With a 2027 launch on the horizon, Clutch is positioned to become a notable entry in the open‑world racing arena, offering players a fresh, expansive playground for high‑speed competition and exploration.
The combined pedigree of Maverick’s seasoned developers and Focus’s publishing infrastructure sets the stage for a potentially landmark title that could reshape expectations for future racing games.