French publisher 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, as it combines Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh vision for an open‑world racing experience.
Initially, Maverick had secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unannounced title back in 2024. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better align with the company’s distinctive strengths and its capacity for large‑scale deployment.
The decision left Maverick seeking a new partner that could share its long‑term aspirations for the IP and help shepherd the game to a successful launch. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now engaged in “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year.” This sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing ally that not only understands the creative direction of Clutch but also possesses the resources to amplify its reach across multiple platforms.
Focus Entertainment’s statement about the partnership emphasizes the strategic value of adding Clutch to its catalogue. By publishing the game, Focus aims to “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 offerings and to make a bold entry into a genre that has historically been dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The timing positions the game to benefit from the next generation of console hardware, allowing the developers to fully realize their vision of a sprawling, immersive racing world that blends high‑octane speed with richly detailed environments. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the company’s philosophy when selecting partners: “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 highlights the respect that industry veterans have for Maverick’s leadership and creative 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 comments reflect a deep personal commitment to the project, rooted in his background as a former creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This network provides a robust infrastructure for supporting a wide range of game genres and development pipelines, ensuring that titles like Clutch receive the necessary marketing, distribution, and technical support.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing together talent that has previously contributed to successful open‑world racing titles. Mike Brown’s experience as a creative director on the Forza Horizon franchise equips him with a deep understanding of what makes an open‑world racing game compelling: a blend of expansive, varied landscapes, dynamic weather systems, a diverse roster of vehicles, and a sense of freedom that encourages players to explore at their own pace. The partnership between Maverick and Focus is expected to leverage these strengths while also addressing the challenges inherent in developing a large‑scale, open‑world racing title. By combining Maverick’s creative vision with Focus’s publishing muscle, the two companies aim to deliver a game that not only meets the high expectations set by previous genre leaders but also pushes the boundaries of what players can expect from a modern racing experience.
In addition to the core gameplay loop, Clutch is rumored to feature extensive customization options for vehicles, a robust progression system, and live‑service elements that will keep the world fresh and engaging long after launch. The developers have hinted at a narrative component that weaves together the racing action with a broader story about the culture and community surrounding high‑speed competition. Overall, the collaboration signals a promising future for both Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment.
With a clear release window set for spring 2027, fans of racing games can anticipate a title that aims to redefine the genre through its open‑world design, meticulous attention to detail, and the combined expertise of two industry‑savvy teams. The partnership also reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where independent studios seek out publishing partners that can provide not just funding, but strategic guidance, marketing reach, and platform expertise. By aligning with Focus Entertainment, Maverick Games positions itself to benefit from a publisher that understands the nuances of the racing market and is committed to championing innovative, genre‑defining experiences. As the development timeline progresses, both companies have indicated that they will share further updates, teasers, and possibly gameplay footage later in the year, building anticipation among the community and ensuring that Clutch remains a highly anticipated title leading up to its 2027 debut.