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. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, combining Focus’s extensive publishing expertise with Maverick’s vision for an open‑world racing experience. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had initially aligned with Amazon Game Studios to develop the same yet‑to‑be‑named title.
However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s distinctive capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing partner that could share its long‑term ambitions for the intellectual property. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and Chief Operating Officer of Maverick, 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 publisher that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with its creative goals. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, stating 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 chance to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, by venturing into the high‑octane world of open‑world motorsport.
The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This multi‑platform launch strategy aims to reach a broad audience of racing enthusiasts and gamers who enjoy expansive, sandbox‑style environments. Vincent Chataignier, Deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, explained the publisher’s philosophy: "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." Chataignier’s remarks highlight the respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure 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 comment reflects the studio’s original mission to craft a racing game that goes beyond traditional track‑based competition, offering players a living, breathing world to explore. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publisher operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup’s structure includes three primary divisions: 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 network provides a robust support system for publishing partners, offering resources ranging from marketing and distribution to technical assistance and co‑development opportunities. Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers. The team’s pedigree includes experience on the Forza Horizon franchise, which is widely praised for its seamless blend of open‑world exploration and high‑speed racing.
This background equips Maverick with the expertise needed to push the boundaries of the genre, aiming to deliver a title that feels both familiar to fans of open‑world racing and fresh in its execution. Clutch promises to differentiate itself through several key design pillars.
First, the game will feature a massive, fully realized open world that mirrors real‑world locations while integrating fantastical elements to enhance gameplay variety. Players will be able to traverse diverse environments—from bustling city streets and coastal highways to rugged mountain passes—each populated with dynamic weather systems and a living ecosystem of AI drivers, pedestrians, and wildlife. Second, the title will emphasize deep vehicle customization. Beyond cosmetic changes, players will have access to performance tuning options that affect handling, acceleration, and top speed, allowing for a personalized driving experience that reflects individual play styles.
This level of customization is intended to encourage experimentation and foster a community of modders and enthusiasts who share their builds online. Third, Clutch aims to incorporate a robust multiplayer component, blending competitive races with cooperative open‑world activities. Whether forming crews to tackle large‑scale events, participating in spontaneous street races, or collaborating on community‑driven challenges, the multiplayer design is intended to keep the world feeling alive long after the single‑player campaign concludes. Finally, the narrative aspect will be more pronounced than in many traditional racing games.
Players will follow a storyline that weaves together personal ambition, corporate intrigue, and the underground racing scene, providing context for the races and giving players a reason to explore every corner of the map. The partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment is expected to leverage Focus’s publishing muscle—spanning marketing, distribution, and strategic guidance—while allowing Maverick to retain creative control over the game's vision. This synergy should enable Clutch to reach a wide audience and set a new benchmark for open‑world racing titles.
As the development timeline progresses toward the 2027 spring launch, both companies have promised regular updates, beta testing opportunities, and community engagement initiatives. Fans of the genre are encouraged to follow official channels for the latest news, trailers, and behind‑the‑scenes looks at the making of Clutch.
In summary, the collaboration brings together a seasoned publishing entity and a visionary development studio to deliver an ambitious racing experience that aspires to redefine what open‑world racing can be. With its planned release across major consoles and PC, Clutch is poised to become a flagship title for both Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment, potentially ushering in a new era for the genre.