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: Focus expands its catalogue into the open‑world racing genre, while Maverick secures a seasoned partner to help launch its ambitious new intellectual property. The road to this partnership began in 2024, when Maverick Games first struck a deal with Amazon Game Studios to develop the then‑secret title.
That arrangement was dissolved earlier in the year when Amazon announced it would end the agreement, citing a strategic shift toward projects that more directly leverage Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its flagship racing game. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been "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 whose vision aligns with the open‑world, high‑octane experience the team envisions for Clutch. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing that adding Clutch to its lineup 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 offerings beyond its traditional focus on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, tapping into a market segment that has seen strong consumer demand for expansive, sandbox‑style racing experiences.
Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The multi‑year development timeline reflects the technical challenges of creating a seamless, open‑world environment that can support a variety of vehicle types, dynamic weather systems, and a living, breathing world that reacts to player actions.
The developers have hinted that the game will feature a blend of street racing, off‑road challenges, and a narrative thread that ties together the diverse events scattered throughout the map. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’s strategic fit, 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 highlights the respect the industry holds for Maverick’s founder, Mike Brown, whose previous work on the Forza Horizon series earned him a reputation for pushing the boundaries of open‑world racing design.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this sentiment: "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 vision for Clutch is rooted in a desire to give players a sense of freedom and exploration rarely seen in traditional circuit‑based racers. He envisions a sprawling cityscape and surrounding countryside where players can seamlessly transition from high‑speed highway runs to tight, technical mountain trails, all while encountering a living ecosystem of AI‑driven traffic, pedestrians, and dynamic events. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup’s structure includes three core 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 quality assurance. The synergy between Focus’s publishing expertise and Maverick’s creative talent is expected to accelerate Clutch’s development milestones and ensure a polished launch. Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers, a studio best known for its work on the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon franchise.
Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on the Forza Horizon series, brings a wealth of experience in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing worlds that blend realistic vehicle physics with a vibrant, stylized aesthetic. This background informs Clutch’s design philosophy, which aims to marry the authenticity of high‑performance driving with the imaginative freedom of an open‑world sandbox. The partnership also signals a broader trend in the industry where mid‑size publishers are seeking to fill gaps left by larger entities that are refocusing on their core strengths. As Amazon steps back from certain publishing ventures, studios like Maverick are turning to more specialized partners that can provide dedicated attention and a shared passion for niche genres.
Focus’s commitment to nurturing innovative IPs aligns well with Maverick’s desire to create a game that stands out in a crowded market. Looking ahead, both companies have hinted at a series of promotional activities leading up to the 2027 launch. Early gameplay footage, developer diaries, and beta testing phases are expected to roll out throughout 2025 and 2026, offering fans a glimpse into the evolving world of Clutch.
Additionally, Focus plans to leverage its existing relationships with console manufacturers and digital storefronts to secure prominent placement and marketing support. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic convergence of creative vision and publishing muscle. With a clear roadmap, a seasoned development team, and a publisher eager to break into the open‑world racing arena, Clutch is positioned to become a notable entry in the genre, potentially redefining what players expect from large‑scale racing experiences.
The spring 2027 release date gives the team ample time to refine the game’s mechanics, polish its expansive world, and build a community of eager racers ready to hit the virtual streets as soon as the title drops.