French publisher 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 as they aim to deliver a fresh, open‑world racing experience that could become a flagship franchise in the genre. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had initially struck a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, at‑that‑time‑still‑secret title. However, Amazon chose to end the partnership 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 home for its ambitious project. Harinder Sangha, the co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now in “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year.” The search for a partner that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with Maverick’s creative vision proved crucial, and Focus Entertainment emerged as the ideal fit.
Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that bringing Clutch to the market 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 publisher sees the title as an opportunity to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented titles, by adding a high‑octane, sandbox‑style racer. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The developers have hinted that the game will feature a vast, seamless world where players can freely explore diverse environments, from bustling cityscapes to rugged off‑road terrain, all while competing in a variety of race formats. The promise of an open‑world structure suggests a blend of traditional circuit racing with more experimental, exploration‑driven gameplay elements. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the company’s philosophy when selecting projects: “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 has in Maverick’s leadership and design direction.
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 statement reflects a long‑standing desire to push the boundaries of racing games beyond the confined tracks that dominate the market, offering instead a living, breathing world that reacts to player choices.
The partnership also highlights the broader structure of Focus Entertainment, a French publishing house that operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s ecosystem 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 wide range of technical expertise, marketing resources, and distribution channels, which are essential for a launch of this scale. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing together talent that previously contributed to the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown, who served as creative director on several Forza Horizon entries, leverages his experience in crafting expansive, visually striking racing worlds. His background suggests that Clutch will likely inherit the high production values and attention to detail that defined his earlier work, while also introducing novel gameplay mechanics that set it apart.
In terms of gameplay expectations, industry observers anticipate that Clutch will blend the freedom of open‑world exploration with competitive racing structures, possibly incorporating dynamic weather systems, real‑time traffic, and a progression system that rewards both skill and exploration. The game may also feature extensive vehicle customization, a hallmark of modern racing titles, allowing players to modify performance, aesthetics, and handling characteristics to suit different playstyles. Beyond the core racing loop, the developers have hinted at a narrative layer that could provide context for the world and its inhabitants, a feature that would differentiate Clutch from more arcade‑focused racers.
By integrating story-driven missions, side activities, and a living ecosystem of AI drivers and pedestrians, the game could offer a richer, more immersive experience. The announcement of the partnership and the upcoming release has generated buzz within the gaming community, with many fans of open‑world titles expressing excitement about the potential for a fresh take on the racing genre. The collaboration between a seasoned publisher like Focus and a visionary studio such as Maverick positions Clutch to become a notable entry in the competitive market of racing games, which includes long‑standing franchises like Need for Speed, Gran Turismo, and the Forza series. As the development timeline progresses toward the spring 2027 launch window, both companies have pledged to keep the community informed with regular updates, behind‑the‑scenes looks, and perhaps early access opportunities.
The strategic alignment of Maverick’s creative ambition with Focus’s publishing muscle suggests that Clutch could set a new benchmark for open‑world racing experiences, delivering both the thrill of high‑speed competition and the depth of an expansive, interactive world for players to explore.