French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverik Games to bring the studio’s inaugural open‑world racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, as Focus expands its catalogue into the high‑octane racing genre and Maverik secures a seasoned partner after an earlier arrangement fell through.
In early 2024 Maverik Games had originally struck a deal with Amazon Game Studios to bring the then‑secret project to fruition. However, Amazon chose to end that agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better leverage the company’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverik searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious title.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverik, 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 underscored Maverik’s determination to find a partner whose vision aligns with its own, and it set the stage for the eventual partnership with Focus. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm welcomed the opportunity, stating that adding Clutch to its slate "strengthens our 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 French publisher, a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, sees the title as a way to diversify its offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games that have traditionally defined its brand. The game is slated for a spring 2027 release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.
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 places in Maverik’s leadership and creative direction.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverik Games, echoed the sentiment, noting, "We founded Maverik 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 background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, giving him a strong pedigree in delivering expansive, player‑driven racing environments. The partnership also situates Clutch within a broader ecosystem of studios owned by Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup’s 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—provide a robust support network for publishing, marketing, and technical assistance. This infrastructure is expected to aid Maverik in scaling the game’s development, ensuring that the ambitious open‑world design is realized with high production values. Maverik Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing together talent that previously contributed to the success of the Forza Horizon franchise. Their collective experience in crafting large, seamless worlds and delivering polished racing mechanics positions them well to tackle the challenges inherent in an open‑world racing title.
The studio’s vision for Clutch is to blend the freedom of an expansive map with the adrenaline of high‑speed competition, offering players the ability to explore diverse environments, discover hidden routes, and engage in dynamic events that evolve over time. Industry analysts see the Clutch partnership as a strategic move for both parties.
For Focus, the title represents a foothold in a genre that has traditionally been dominated by a handful of major publishers and franchises. By aligning with a studio that has proven expertise in open‑world design, Focus can diversify its revenue streams and attract a new segment of racing enthusiasts. For Maverik, the backing of a well‑connected publisher provides the financial stability, marketing reach, and distribution channels necessary to bring a large‑scale project to market without compromising its creative vision. The upcoming release window—spring 2027—gives the development team ample time to refine gameplay systems, polish visual fidelity, and integrate community feedback through early testing phases.
Anticipated features include a dynamic weather system, a living ecosystem of AI‑driven traffic, and a progression model that rewards both skillful driving and exploration. Additionally, the game is expected to support extensive customization options for vehicles, allowing players to personalize performance and aesthetics to suit their playstyle.
In summary, the collaboration between Maverik Games and Focus Entertainment signals a promising future for Clutch, an ambitious open‑world racing title that aims to carve out its own niche in a competitive market. With a seasoned development team, a supportive publishing partner, and a clear vision for an immersive racing experience, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy addition to the next generation of console and PC gaming.