French publisher Focus Entertainment has announced a new partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: it gives Maverick a seasoned publishing ally for its first major release, while allowing Focus to broaden its catalogue with an entry into the open‑world racing genre.
The road to this agreement began in 2024 when Maverick first entered into a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unnamed project. However, Amazon decided to end the partnership earlier this year, stating that it needed to concentrate on initiatives that better align with the company’s distinctive capabilities and scale. In the wake of that decision, Maverick’s co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha told 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 sentiment underscores Maverick’s determination to find a publishing home that not only supports the game’s development but also shares its vision for the future of the Clutch franchise. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing that adding Clutch to its portfolio 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 statement reflects Focus’s strategic intent to diversify beyond its existing slate of action‑adventure and narrative‑driven titles, and to stake a claim in a market segment traditionally dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises.
The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, positioning it to reach a broad console and PC audience at a time when next‑generation hardware is fully mature. According to Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, "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 confidence Focus has in Maverick’s leadership and creative direction.
Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, echoed the enthusiasm, stating, "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 convey both a personal passion for the project and a clear belief that the partnership will enable the studio to achieve the lofty goals it set for itself when it was established.
A bit of background on the two companies adds context to the partnership. Focus Entertainment is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media conglomerate. Pullup’s structure 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 Focus with a robust pipeline of talent, technology, and marketing resources that can be leveraged to support Clutch’s development, testing, and launch phases.
Maverick Games, on the other hand, is a relatively new studio founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers. The team’s pedigree includes experience on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown served as creative director. That background gives Maverick a deep understanding of what makes an open‑world racing game resonate with players—dynamic environments, a sense of freedom, and a carefully tuned progression system.
By combining that expertise with Focus’s publishing muscle, the partnership aims to deliver a title that not only competes with established franchises but also pushes the genre forward. The decision to target a 2027 spring launch is strategic.
It allows Maverick ample time to refine the game’s core mechanics, populate its world with diverse locales, and integrate advanced features such as live weather systems, dynamic traffic, and a robust customization suite. Moreover, the timeline gives Focus the opportunity to coordinate a global marketing campaign, secure prominent placement on digital storefronts, and arrange collaborations with influencers and automotive brands that could enhance the game’s visibility.
Industry observers note that the open‑world racing space has been relatively underserved, with most recent titles focusing on linear tracks or limited map sizes. Clutch aims to fill that gap by offering a seamless, sprawling environment that encourages exploration, discovery, and emergent gameplay. If successful, the title could set a new benchmark for future racing games and potentially spawn sequels, expansions, or even a broader multimedia franchise. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative vision and publishing expertise.
With a seasoned team at the helm, a clear roadmap to a 2027 release, and the backing of a publisher eager to diversify its portfolio, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy addition to the racing genre. Fans of open‑world experiences and high‑octane driving can look forward to a title that promises both technical polish and imaginative world‑building, delivering an experience that aims to redefine what a modern racing game can be.