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. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, combining Focus’s extensive publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience.
Initially, Maverick had aligned with Amazon Game Studios back in 2024 when the game was still under wraps. However, Amazon decided to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing partner that could share its long‑term aspirations for the intellectual property. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to 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 publishing ally whose goals align with the ambitious scope of Clutch. 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." By adding an open‑world title to its catalogue, Focus aims to diversify its offerings beyond the more traditional, narrative‑driven games it has historically supported. The game is slated for a spring 2027 release across major platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform launch strategy is designed to reach a broad audience of racing enthusiasts and console gamers alike, ensuring that Clutch can capture market share in a competitive genre. 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." Chataignier’s comments highlight the publisher’s belief that Maverick’s team brings a fresh, innovative perspective that can push the boundaries of what open‑world racing games can achieve. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, added his own 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 remarks emphasize the studio’s original mission—to craft an expansive, immersive racing environment that goes beyond traditional circuit‑based gameplay. Focus Entertainment, a French publisher, operates 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 new titles, offering resources ranging from marketing and distribution to technical assistance and post‑launch services.
Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers, a studio renowned for its work on the Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on those acclaimed titles, brings a wealth of experience in crafting high‑quality, open‑world racing experiences. His background suggests that Clutch will likely incorporate the polished visuals, dynamic weather systems, and expansive road networks that fans have come to expect from premium racing games. The transition from Amazon to Focus represents more than just a change in publisher; it signals a strategic realignment that could shape the final form of Clutch.
While Amazon’s decision to step away was framed around focusing on projects that leverage its unique strengths, the move opened a window for Maverick to partner with a publisher whose core competencies lie in nurturing niche, genre‑defining experiences. Focus’s commitment to expanding into the open‑world racing market suggests that it will allocate significant resources toward ensuring Clutch meets high standards of quality and innovation. Industry observers anticipate that Clutch will aim to differentiate itself by offering a truly open world where players can explore varied terrains—from coastal highways to mountainous passes—while engaging in a range of racing disciplines, including street races, off‑road challenges, and perhaps even narrative‑driven missions.
The involvement of seasoned developers from the Forza Horizon lineage hints at a potential emphasis on a living, breathing world populated with dynamic traffic, weather cycles, and a robust progression system that rewards exploration as much as speed. In summary, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment sets the stage for a potentially landmark entry in the racing genre. With a spring 2027 launch window, a multi‑platform release, and a development team led by veterans of the Forza Horizon series, Clutch is positioned to deliver an ambitious open‑world racing experience that could redefine player expectations and establish a new flagship IP for both Maverick and Focus. The collaboration underscores a shared vision: to push the boundaries of racing games, deliver a compelling, immersive world, and capture the imaginations of gamers worldwide.