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 distribution expertise with Maverick’s vision for an open‑world racing experience. The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios to develop a new, as‑yet‑unnamed racing title. That arrangement was dissolved earlier in the year when Amazon decided to end the agreement, citing a strategic shift toward projects that more directly exploit Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale.
In a statement, Amazon explained that the decision was driven by a desire to concentrate resources on initiatives that align closely with its core strengths. Following the split, Maverick 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 looks forward to revealing additional details later in the year as the partnership solidifies and development progresses. Focus Entertainment has expressed enthusiasm about the deal, noting that publishing Clutch will broaden its portfolio by adding its first foray into the open‑world racing genre. The publisher highlighted a shared ambition to craft a standout experience that could establish Clutch as a major new racing intellectual property.
According to Focus, the collaboration is built on a mutual desire to push the boundaries of what racing games can achieve, both in terms of scale and creative design. The game is slated for a spring 2027 launch across the major current‑generation platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform release strategy aims to reach a wide audience of racing enthusiasts and gamers seeking immersive, open‑world experiences. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the company’s partnership philosophy, stating, “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 underscores the confidence Focus places in Maverick’s leadership and design direction. Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the studio was founded with the explicit goal of delivering the open‑world racing experience he and his team had long envisioned. “Focus shares our creative bar and our ambition for Clutch, and we can’t wait for players everywhere to discover this world,” Brown said.
He emphasized that the partnership with Focus provides the necessary publishing muscle and market reach to bring the ambitious project to fruition. 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 diversified ecosystem gives Focus access to a broad range of development talent and publishing resources, which it can leverage to support Clutch’s development and eventual launch.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers. The team’s pedigree includes notable experience on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown previously served as creative director.
This background provides Maverick with deep expertise in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing environments, as well as a track record of delivering high‑quality, player‑focused experiences. The decision to pivot from Amazon to Focus reflects a broader industry trend where independent studios seek publishing partners that not only provide financial backing but also share a clear creative vision. By aligning with Focus, Maverick gains a partner that values genre innovation and is willing to invest in the long‑term development cycle required for an ambitious open‑world title.
Clutch aims to differentiate itself from existing racing games by offering a seamless, living world where players can explore diverse environments, engage in dynamic weather systems, and participate in a variety of race types ranging from street sprints to off‑road endurance challenges. The game promises a high degree of customization, both for vehicles and for player avatars, allowing gamers to tailor their experience to personal preferences.
In addition to core racing mechanics, the developers plan to integrate social and multiplayer features that encourage community interaction, such as shared leaderboards, cooperative events, and competitive leagues. These elements are intended to foster a vibrant online ecosystem that keeps players engaged long after the initial launch. The partnership also includes a commitment to post‑launch support, with both Focus and Maverick pledging to deliver regular content updates, expansions, and performance improvements based on player feedback.
This ongoing support model is designed to ensure that Clutch remains fresh and relevant in a rapidly evolving gaming market. Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative ambition and publishing expertise.
With a spring 2027 release on the horizon, the industry and fans alike are eagerly anticipating how Clutch will reshape the open‑world racing landscape and establish itself as a flagship title for both companies.