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: it gives Focus its first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverick with a seasoned publishing partner after an earlier arrangement fell through.
In early 2024, Maverick Games had originally aligned with Amazon Game Studios to develop the game, which at the time was still under wraps and had no public title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better leverage the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing home for its ambitious project. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick 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 Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner whose vision aligns with its own, and it hints at forthcoming announcements about the game's development progress and additional collaborations. 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." The publisher sees the title as a chance to diversify its catalog, which has historically focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented experiences, and to demonstrate its capability to support large‑scale, technically demanding projects.
The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the major current‑generation consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. This multi‑platform launch strategy aims to capture a broad audience of racing enthusiasts, from console gamers who appreciate the immersive capabilities of next‑gen hardware to PC players who often seek higher graphical fidelity and modding possibilities. Vincent Chataignier, deputy chief executive officer 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 comments highlight the respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership and its belief that the studio’s vision aligns with the publisher’s own goals of innovation and genre‑pushing design.
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. 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 reveal the personal passion that drove the formation of Maverick in 2023, as well as the specific desire to create an expansive, open‑world environment that offers players unprecedented freedom within a racing context. 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, which handles the acquisition and distribution of titles; the Arcade Crew, a label dedicated to indie and experimental games; and a collection of development studios such as Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This diversified ecosystem provides Focus with a robust pipeline of talent and resources, enabling it to support a wide array of projects ranging from narrative adventures to competitive multiplayer experiences. Maverick Games was founded by a group of former Playground Games developers in 2023. The team’s pedigree includes work on the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown served as creative director. This background gives Maverick a strong foundation in crafting high‑quality, open‑world racing experiences, and it informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend the freedom of an open world with the adrenaline‑fueled thrills of competitive racing.
Clutch is envisioned as more than just a conventional racing game; it aspires to create a living, breathing world where players can explore diverse landscapes, discover hidden routes, and engage with dynamic weather and day‑night cycles. The developers have hinted at a robust progression system, extensive vehicle customization options, and a narrative layer that ties together the racing events with a broader story about the world’s culture and history. By integrating these elements, Maverick hopes to set a new benchmark for immersion in the racing genre.
The partnership with Focus also brings strategic benefits beyond funding and distribution. Focus’s experience in navigating the complexities of global releases, marketing campaigns, and post‑launch support will be crucial for ensuring that Clutch reaches its target audience effectively.
Moreover, Focus’s connections with platform holders and its ability to secure prominent placement on storefronts could give Clutch a competitive edge in a crowded market. Looking ahead, both companies are optimistic about the project’s potential. The collaboration signals a renewed confidence in the viability of ambitious, open‑world racing titles, a niche that has seen limited representation in recent years. If successful, Clutch could pave the way for future expansions, downloadable content, and perhaps even a franchise that rivals established names in the genre.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative vision and publishing expertise. With a release window set for spring 2027 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch is poised to become a landmark title that showcases the strengths of both the development studio’s heritage in racing game design and the publisher’s commitment to supporting innovative, genre‑defining experiences.