Focus Entertainment, a French publishing house, 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, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience. In early 2024, Maverick Games originally aligned itself with Amazon Game Studios to develop the game that would later become known as Clutch. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the arrangement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing partner that could support the ambitious scope of their project. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, 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 statement underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publisher that not only understands but also champions the long‑term potential of the Clutch intellectual property. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing 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." By adding an open‑world title to its catalogue, Focus aims to diversify its offerings and tap into a market segment that has historically been dominated by a handful of legacy franchises. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC.
This multi‑platform launch strategy is intended to maximize the title’s reach and ensure that a broad audience can experience the expansive, high‑octane world that Maverick envisions. 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 Maverick’s leadership brings a fresh perspective that could reshape expectations for racing games. Mike Brown, the founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, added his own enthusiasm: "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 long‑standing vision that dates back to his tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where he helped shape some of the most beloved open‑world racing experiences to date.
Focus Entertainment itself is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for narrative‑driven action titles; Streumon, which focuses on cooperative shooters; Twelve Tenths, a studio specializing in indie‑style experiences; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This network provides a robust infrastructure that can support the development, marketing, and distribution of a complex title like Clutch.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former developers from Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon franchise. Their collective experience in crafting expansive, player‑driven racing worlds informs the design philosophy behind Clutch. The game promises to blend the thrill of high‑speed competition with the freedom of exploration, allowing players to traverse a richly detailed open world filled with diverse environments, dynamic weather systems, and a variety of vehicles ranging from street‑legal cars to high‑performance supercars. Beyond the core racing mechanics, Clutch aims to incorporate deep progression systems, live events, and social features that encourage community interaction.
Players will be able to customize their rides, join clubs, and participate in seasonal challenges that keep the gameplay fresh long after launch. The developers have also hinted at a narrative layer that will give context to the races, providing motivations and back‑stories for both the player’s avatar and the rival racers encountered throughout the world. The partnership with Focus Entertainment is expected to bring significant resources to bear on these ambitions. Focus’s publishing arm will handle global marketing campaigns, distribution logistics, and platform relationships, ensuring that Clutch receives prominent placement on digital storefronts and receives the promotional support needed to stand out in a crowded market.
Additionally, Focus’s experience with live‑service titles will be instrumental in shaping post‑launch content updates, seasonal passes, and community engagement strategies. In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of seasoned racing expertise and publishing muscle, aimed at delivering a fresh, open‑world racing experience that aspires to become a cornerstone of the genre.
With a projected release in spring 2027 across major consoles and PC, Clutch is positioned to attract both longtime racing enthusiasts and newcomers seeking an immersive, expansive driving adventure.