French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing 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 established distribution network with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for open‑world motorsport experiences. The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024 when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios. At that time, the title was still under wraps, and the two parties were working together to develop the game’s core concepts and technical foundations.
However, in a strategic move earlier this year, Amazon decided to end the publishing agreement, citing a desire to concentrate on initiatives that more directly leverage Amazon’s unique technological assets, cloud infrastructure, and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home that could support the ambitious scope of their open‑world racing vision.
Following the Amazon split, Maverick co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha spoke to GamesIndustry.biz, indicating that the studio had already begun “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP.” He added that Maverick expects to reveal further details about the partnership and the game itself later in the year, once the collaboration has solidified its development milestones. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity to add Clutch to its portfolio, emphasizing that the title will be the publisher’s first foray into the open‑world racing genre. In an official statement, Focus explained 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.” The company sees the project as a chance to diversify its offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games that have traditionally defined its catalog.
The planned release window for Clutch is spring 2027, with the game slated for launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. This multi‑platform strategy aims to capture a broad audience of racing enthusiasts, from console gamers who appreciate high‑fidelity graphics to PC players who value modding potential and performance customization. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy when selecting partners. “At Focus, we look to partner with creators who are redefining their genre,” he said.
“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 respect that Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly for Mike Brown, whose background includes serving as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this sentiment.
“We founded Maverick Games to build the open‑world racing experience we’d dreamed about for years,” Brown explained. “Focus shares our creative bar and our ambition for Clutch, and we can’t wait for players everywhere to discover this world.” His comments underscore the studio’s commitment to delivering a richly detailed, expansive racing environment that goes beyond traditional circuit racing by incorporating dynamic weather, a living ecosystem of AI drivers, and a narrative thread that encourages exploration. Focus Entertainment is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes three main 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 ecosystem provides Maverick with access to a wide range of technical expertise, marketing resources, and cross‑studio collaboration opportunities that can accelerate development and polish. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership brings a wealth of experience from working on the Forza Horizon franchise, known for its seamless blend of open‑world exploration and high‑octane racing.
This pedigree positions Maverick to innovate within the genre, potentially introducing new gameplay mechanics such as player‑driven event creation, persistent world changes based on community actions, and a deep progression system that rewards both skill and curiosity. Looking ahead, both Maverick and Focus anticipate a robust marketing campaign leading up to the 2027 launch.
Early teasers, developer diaries, and closed‑beta testing phases are expected to generate buzz and gather player feedback that will shape the final product. The partnership also opens the door for potential post‑launch support, including downloadable content, seasonal events, and perhaps a competitive esports framework that could extend Clutch’s lifespan.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing muscle. With Amazon Game Studios stepping away, Focus has stepped in to provide the necessary infrastructure and market reach, while Maverick brings a seasoned team eager to push the boundaries of open‑world racing. If the development proceeds as outlined, Clutch could emerge as a landmark title that redefines how players experience speed, freedom, and immersion in a virtual world.