Focus Entertainment, a French publishing house, has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. This collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: it gives Focus its first foothold in 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 initially signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the project, which at the time was still under wraps. However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier this year, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious open‑world racing experience. 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 partner that not only supports the game’s development but also believes in its potential to become a lasting franchise.
Focus Entertainment’s publishing division welcomed the opportunity, noting that adding Clutch to its slate 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 offerings, which have traditionally spanned action‑adventure, narrative‑driven experiences, and indie‑style titles. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game promises an expansive, living world where players can freely explore varied environments, compete in high‑speed events, and customize a wide range of vehicles.
The open‑world design aims to blend the thrill of street racing with the depth of a sandbox experience, giving players the freedom to chart their own racing paths. 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.” This endorsement highlights the publisher’s confidence in Maverick’s leadership and creative vision.
Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, 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 remarks reflect the studio’s long‑standing desire to craft a game that pushes the boundaries of what a racing title can be, blending narrative elements, dynamic weather systems, and a persistent world that evolves with player actions.
Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that oversees three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for titles such as “The Surge”; Streumon, creators of “The Last Tinker”; Twelve Tenths; Leikir Studio; Blackmill; Dovetail; and Carpool Studio. This network provides a robust infrastructure of resources, technology, and expertise that can support ambitious projects like Clutch.
Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership includes veterans who have contributed significantly to the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, with Mike Brown having served as creative director on those titles.
This pedigree gives Maverick a deep understanding of what makes a racing game both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for seasoned fans. The transition from Amazon to Focus is expected to bring several advantages. While Amazon’s decision to step back was framed as a strategic refocus, it also opened the door for a publisher whose core competencies lie more directly in game publishing and marketing.
Focus’s experience in launching multi‑platform titles, combined with its access to Pullup’s development resources, positions Clutch to receive the level of support needed for a successful launch. In practical terms, the partnership will likely involve joint marketing campaigns, co‑development of additional content, and perhaps post‑launch support such as live‑service updates or downloadable expansions. Given the spring 2027 timeline, both companies have ample time to refine the game’s mechanics, polish its world, and build community excitement through teasers, developer diaries, and beta testing phases.
Industry observers note that the open‑world racing niche remains relatively under‑explored, with most mainstream racing games focusing on circuit‑based competition or limited open‑world segments. Clutch’s ambition to deliver a fully realized, persistent world could set a new benchmark, encouraging other developers to experiment with larger, more immersive racing environments. Overall, the Maverick‑Focus alliance represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing expertise. By combining Maverick’s seasoned development team, rooted in the legacy of Forza Horizon, with Focus’s publishing muscle and Pullup’s broader studio network, Clutch is positioned to become a landmark title that redefines the possibilities of open‑world racing.
Players and critics alike will be watching closely as the game approaches its 2027 debut, anticipating a fresh, expansive racing experience that could reshape the genre’s future.