French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverik Games to bring the studio’s inaugural open‑world racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: it gives Focus its first foothold in the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverik a seasoned publishing ally after its previous arrangement fell through. In early 2024 Maverik Games had originally signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the project, which at the time was still being kept under wraps.
However, Amazon elected to terminate the deal earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit Amazon’s distinctive capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverik searching for a new partner that shared its long‑term vision for the intellectual property. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverik Games, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been "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 the studio’s commitment to finding a publishing home that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with its creative goals and roadmap for the Clutch franchise. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm responded enthusiastically, stating that bringing Clutch to 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 French publisher sees the title as a chance to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally leaned toward narrative‑driven experiences, action‑adventure titles, and simulation games.
By adding an ambitious, open‑world racing experience, Focus aims to broaden its appeal to a wider segment of gamers who enjoy high‑octane, sandbox‑style driving. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will launch on the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. This multi‑platform strategy is intended to maximize the title’s reach and ensure that players across the major ecosystems can experience the world that Maverik has crafted.
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 remarks highlight the publisher’s belief that Maverik’s creative leadership—particularly studio head Mike Brown—brings a fresh perspective that could push the boundaries of what open‑world racing games can achieve. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverik Games, echoed this sentiment: "We founded Maverik 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 background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, giving him deep insight into the mechanics and design philosophies that make open‑world racing titles compelling. His decision to launch Maverik in 2023, together with former Playground Games developers, was driven by a desire to create a game that blends the freedom of an expansive map with the visceral thrill of high‑speed competition. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew (which focuses on indie and mid‑scale titles), and a collection of development studios such as Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This network of studios provides Focus with a robust pipeline of talent and technology, positioning the company to support ambitious projects like Clutch with resources ranging from marketing expertise to technical assistance. The partnership between Maverik and Focus is expected to bring several advantages to the development process. First, Focus’s experience in global distribution and market positioning will help ensure that Clutch receives the visibility it needs to compete against established franchises. Second, the publisher’s financial backing will allow Maverik to expand its development team, invest in cutting‑edge graphics pipelines, and incorporate advanced features such as dynamic weather systems, real‑time traffic AI, and a deep vehicle customization suite.
Third, the collaboration opens doors for cross‑promotional opportunities within Pullup’s broader ecosystem, potentially allowing for shared technology or joint events with other studios under the Pullup banner. From a gameplay perspective, Clutch promises to deliver an open‑world environment that blends the expansive, exploratory feel of titles like Forza Horizon with a competitive racing framework that encourages both solo and multiplayer experiences. Players will be able to traverse a richly detailed landscape that includes urban streets, coastal highways, and off‑road trails, each populated with dynamic events, hidden collectibles, and a living ecosystem of AI‑driven traffic.
The developers have hinted at a robust progression system where players can earn reputation, unlock new vehicles, and customize their rides with performance upgrades and aesthetic modifications. In addition to the core racing mechanics, Maverik aims to incorporate a narrative layer that gives context to the world and its inhabitants. While details remain under wraps, the studio has suggested that players will encounter a variety of characters—rival crews, local legends, and corporate sponsors—each contributing to a larger storyline that unfolds as players complete races, challenges, and side missions.
This narrative ambition aligns with the broader industry trend of blending story-driven elements with traditionally sandbox‑style gameplay. The spring 2027 release window gives Maverik and Focus ample time to polish the game, conduct extensive playtesting, and iterate based on community feedback.
Early access or beta programs may be considered to engage the racing community and gather valuable data on performance, balance, and player enjoyment. Such iterative development cycles are increasingly common in the industry and can help ensure that the final product meets the high expectations set by the studio’s pedigree and the publisher’s reputation. Overall, the Maverik‑Focus partnership represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing muscle.
With a seasoned leader like Mike Brown at the helm, a supportive publisher eager to expand into new genres, and a clear roadmap toward a 2027 launch, Clutch is positioned to become a noteworthy entry in the open‑world racing arena. Gamers can look forward to a fresh, immersive driving experience that promises both the freedom of exploration and the excitement of high‑speed competition, all backed by the combined expertise of Maverik Games and Focus Entertainment.