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, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s vision for an expansive open‑world racing experience. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had originally secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the project, which at the time was still under wraps. However, Amazon decided to end that agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new 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 that not only understands the creative direction of Clutch but also possesses the resources to help it reach a global audience.
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 slate, Focus aims to diversify its catalog, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games. The partnership is therefore positioned as a mutually beneficial venture: Maverick gains a seasoned publisher with deep market knowledge, while Focus expands into a genre that promises significant growth. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The game promises an expansive, seamless world where players can explore diverse environments, compete in high‑octane races, and customize a wide array of vehicles.
The developers have emphasized that the title will blend the thrill of traditional circuit racing with the freedom of open‑world exploration, allowing players to chart their own routes and discover hidden challenges. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’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." This endorsement highlights the respect that Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly Mike Brown, whose reputation stems from his previous work 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 remarks reflect a clear vision: to deliver a racing game that transcends the conventional lap‑based format by offering a living, breathing world teeming with dynamic events, weather systems, and a deep progression system. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure comprises three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This diversified ecosystem provides Focus with a robust pipeline of talent and technology, enabling it to support a wide variety of projects ranging from indie titles to large‑scale AAA releases.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership brings a wealth of experience from the Forza Horizon franchise, where Mike Brown served as creative director. His background in crafting expansive, player‑driven racing environments informs the design philosophy of Clutch, which aims to blend the polish of a AAA title with the freedom typically associated with open‑world games. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner signals a strategic realignment for Maverick.
While Amazon’s decision to step back was framed around focusing on projects that align with its own strengths, the partnership with Focus offers a more genre‑specific alignment. Focus’s dedication to supporting innovative creators and its existing infrastructure for marketing, distribution, and post‑launch support are expected to accelerate Clutch’s path to market.
Industry observers note that the racing genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, driven by advances in hardware that allow for more detailed worlds, realistic physics, and sophisticated AI opponents. By targeting a spring 2027 launch, Maverick and Focus aim to capitalize on the next generation of console adoption cycles, ensuring that Clutch arrives when the installed base of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S owners is at its peak. In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative ambition and publishing acumen.
With a clear release window, a strong platform lineup, and a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of open‑world racing, Clutch is poised to become a notable addition to the racing game landscape. The partnership not only revitalizes Maverick’s publishing strategy after the Amazon split but also reinforces Focus’s expansion into new genres, promising an exciting future for both companies and their audiences.