French publishing house Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing project, titled Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: for Maverick, it is the launch of its first ever open‑world racing experience, and for Focus, it represents a strategic expansion into a genre where it has not previously held a flagship title.
The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios. At that time the game was still under wraps, with no official name or detailed public information.
However, later in the year Amazon decided to end the publishing arrangement. According to statements from Amazon, the decision was driven by a desire to concentrate on initiatives that more directly leverage the company’s unique technological capabilities and massive scale. This shift left Maverick searching for a new publishing ally that shared its long‑term vision for the intellectual property.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, 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 sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner whose strategic goals align with the studio’s own aspirations for Clutch, rather than simply seeking a short‑term financial arrangement. Focus Entertainment’s publishing division welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing that adding Clutch to its catalogue 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 French publisher sees the game as a chance to diversify its offerings and to demonstrate its capability to support large‑scale, genre‑defining projects. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The timeline gives the development team ample runway to refine the open‑world mechanics, polish the visual fidelity, and integrate the extensive car customization systems that have become a hallmark of modern racing titles. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’s philosophy: "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 the industry holds for Maverick’s founder, Mike Brown, whose reputation stems from his previous work on the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this 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 vision for Clutch revolves around an expansive, living world where players can freely explore diverse environments, discover hidden routes, and engage in dynamic weather and day‑night cycles that affect vehicle handling. The partnership also benefits Focus Entertainment by aligning it with a development team that brings a fresh perspective to the racing genre.
Focus, a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, operates three primary 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. By adding an open‑world racing title to its roster, Focus can showcase its ability to support a broader spectrum of game experiences, ranging from narrative‑driven adventures to high‑octane competitive sports. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers, a studio renowned for its work on the Forza Horizon franchise. This pedigree gives Maverick a strong foundation in creating expansive, visually stunning racing environments.
Mike Brown’s role as creative director on the Forza Horizon series provided him with deep insight into what makes an open‑world racing game compelling: a blend of meticulously crafted road networks, a diverse vehicle lineup, and a seamless integration of multiplayer elements that encourage community interaction. Looking ahead, both Maverick and Focus are committed to delivering a product that not only meets but exceeds player expectations.
The development roadmap includes plans for post‑launch support, such as seasonal content updates, new car packs, and community‑driven events that will keep the world of Clutch vibrant and evolving. By leveraging Focus’s publishing expertise and Maverick’s creative vision, the partnership aims to set a new benchmark for open‑world racing games.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of shared ambition, industry expertise, and a mutual desire to push the boundaries of the racing genre. With a spring 2027 launch on the horizon, gamers can anticipate an immersive, open‑world racing adventure that promises to deliver both technical excellence and artistic flair.