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: for Maverick, it is the first time its flagship open‑world racing project will be backed by a dedicated publishing house, while for Focus it represents the addition of its very first open‑world racing IP to an already diverse portfolio.
The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios to develop an as‑yet‑unnamed racing experience. That relationship was short‑lived; Amazon chose to end the agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that more directly leverage the company’s unique technological capabilities and scale. In a statement, Amazon explained that the decision was not a reflection on the quality of the game but rather a realignment of its internal priorities. Following the split, Maverick’s co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio immediately began “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP.” He added that Maverick expects to reveal further details about the new partnership and the game itself later in the year.
This proactive outreach led to the current agreement with Focus Entertainment, a publisher known for supporting a broad range of genres and for its willingness to invest in ambitious new titles. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm expressed enthusiasm for the deal, stating that bringing Clutch to market will “strengthen our portfolio with its first entry into the open‑world racing space.” The publisher highlighted a shared vision with Maverick: both parties aim to deliver a standout, high‑octane experience that could establish Clutch as a major new franchise within the racing genre. Deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, Vincent Chataignier, 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.” Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, echoed these sentiments. He explained that the studio was founded with a singular purpose: to build the open‑world racing experience he and his team had envisioned 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 said. His background includes a stint as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, and he brings that pedigree to the new project, promising a blend of expansive environments, dynamic weather systems, and deep vehicle customization.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 launch across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The timing positions the game to benefit from the continued growth of the console market and the increasing appetite for open‑world experiences that combine high‑speed thrills with exploration. While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, the developers have hinted at a living, breathing world where players can seamlessly transition between street racing, off‑road challenges, and narrative‑driven missions. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates 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 Maverick with access to a wealth of technical expertise, marketing resources, and distribution channels that can help Clutch reach a global audience. The formation of Maverick Games in 2023 was driven by a group of former Playground Games developers who wanted to push the boundaries of the racing genre beyond the traditional circuit‑based format.
Their collective experience includes work on titles that blend open‑world design with high‑fidelity vehicle physics, and they aim to apply those lessons to Clutch. By focusing on an expansive map that encourages both competitive and casual play, Maverick hopes to attract both hardcore racing enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a more immersive, story‑rich experience.
In addition to the core development team, the partnership with Focus will likely bring additional support in areas such as live‑ops, post‑launch content, and community engagement. The publisher’s track record includes successful launches across multiple genres, and its commitment to nurturing new IPs suggests that Clutch will benefit from ongoing updates, downloadable content, and potentially even esports initiatives.
Overall, the Maverick‑Focus collaboration signals a promising future for Clutch. With a seasoned leadership team, a clear vision for an open‑world racing adventure, and the backing of a publisher eager to expand into new territory, the game is positioned to make a strong impression when it arrives in spring 2027. Fans of the genre can look forward to a title that promises not only breathtaking speed and visual fidelity but also a living world to explore, compete in, and return to again and again.