French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing 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 Focus its first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverick a new publishing home after its earlier arrangement with Amazon Game Studios fell through. In early 2024 Maverick Games had originally secured a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for a racing project that had not yet been revealed to the public.
However, Amazon decided to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that more directly leverage Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick seeking a new partner that shared its long‑term vision for the intellectual property.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now "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 Maverick’s determination to keep the project moving forward despite the setback with Amazon, and hinted that the studio was already in talks with potential publishing allies. Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, announcing that publishing Clutch would "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 title as a chance to diversify its catalog, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, and to demonstrate its ability to support large‑scale, technically demanding projects. The game is slated for a spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, positioning it to reach a broad audience across the major current‑generation platforms. By targeting both console and PC gamers, Maverick and Focus aim to capture the enthusiasm of players who enjoy immersive, open‑world experiences combined with high‑octane racing mechanics.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, explained the partnership 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 that Focus has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly for founder and CEO Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown added his perspective, 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 comment reflects the studio’s original mission: to craft a vast, living world where players can explore diverse environments, engage in dynamic weather systems, and experience a sense of freedom rarely seen in traditional circuit‑based racers.
Clutch promises to blend the open‑world design philosophy popularized by titles like Forza Horizon with a fresh narrative and progression system. While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, the developers have hinted at a living ecosystem where races evolve based on player choices, and where a variety of vehicles—from street‑legal cars to high‑performance supercars—can be customized and tuned. The game will also feature a robust multiplayer component, allowing racers to compete in real‑time events, form clubs, and participate in seasonal championships that evolve over time. The partnership also benefits Focus Entertainment’s broader corporate structure.
Focus is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, which oversees 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. By adding an open‑world racing IP to its slate, Pullup can further diversify its revenue streams and strengthen its position in the competitive publishing landscape. Maverick 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.
This pedigree gives the studio a deep understanding of what makes open‑world racing compelling: a balance of accessible gameplay, deep customization, and a richly detailed world that encourages exploration. The team’s experience also informs their ambition to push technical boundaries, such as implementing next‑gen graphics, realistic physics, and a dynamic weather system that influences vehicle handling.
In addition to the core game, Maverick plans to support Clutch with post‑launch content, including new regions, vehicle packs, and seasonal events designed to keep the community engaged. This live‑service approach aligns with industry trends where ongoing updates extend a game’s lifespan and foster a dedicated player base.
Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing expertise. With Amazon stepping aside, Focus has stepped in to provide the resources, distribution network, and marketing muscle needed to bring Clutch to a global audience. As the spring 2027 launch approaches, both companies are poised to showcase a title that could redefine the open‑world racing genre and establish a new flagship IP for future expansions and sequels.