French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing 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, as it combines Focus’s extensive distribution network and publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience.
The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios for a game that had not yet been publicly disclosed. That relationship was intended to leverage Amazon’s resources and reach, but the agreement was dissolved earlier in the year. Amazon cited a strategic shift, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that more directly exploit the company’s unique technological strengths and massive scale.
As a result, Maverick was left to seek a new publishing home for its ambitious title. In the wake of Amazon’s withdrawal, Maverick co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio immediately began “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP.” He emphasized that Maverick is committed to finding a partner who not only understands the scope of the project but also believes in its potential to become a flagship franchise. Sangha hinted that further details about these discussions would be revealed later in the year, underscoring the studio’s confidence that a suitable ally would emerge. Focus Entertainment’s decision to take on Clutch aligns with its broader strategy to diversify its portfolio.
The publisher highlighted that adding an open‑world racing title represents its first foray into that particular sub‑genre, and it sees the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen its catalog with a game that aspires to stand out in a crowded market. According to a statement from Focus, the company is motivated by a “shared ambition to deliver a standout experience and establish Clutch as a major new racing IP.” This language reflects a clear intent to nurture Clutch not just as a single release but as the foundation of a potentially long‑running series.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 launch across the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The timing positions the game to benefit from the continued popularity of next‑gen hardware while also reaching a broad audience of racing enthusiasts who favor high‑fidelity, open‑world environments. The developers have hinted that the title will feature expansive, detailed landscapes, a variety of vehicle classes, and a progression system designed to keep players engaged over many hours of gameplay.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’s philosophy. He said, “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 underscore the publisher’s belief that Maverick’s leadership brings a fresh, innovative perspective that can push the boundaries of what racing games can achieve, particularly in an open‑world setting. Mike Brown, the founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this sentiment. He explained that the studio was founded with the explicit goal of building the open‑world racing experience he had imagined 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 said. His comments convey a strong alignment of vision between the two companies, suggesting that the partnership will be collaborative rather than merely transactional.
Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes 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. This ecosystem provides a robust support network for publishing partners, offering everything from marketing and distribution to technical assistance and post‑launch services.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former developers from Playground Games, the studio renowned for the Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on those acclaimed titles, brings a wealth of experience in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing worlds. His background suggests that Clutch will likely inherit the high production values and player‑centric design philosophy that made Forza Horizon a benchmark in the genre. Looking ahead, the collaboration between Maverick and Focus is poised to deliver a game that could reshape expectations for open‑world racing.
By combining Maverick’s creative pedigree with Focus’s publishing muscle, Clutch aims to offer players an immersive environment where they can explore diverse terrains, customize a wide range of vehicles, and engage in competitive or casual races at their own pace. The spring 2027 release window gives both teams ample time to refine gameplay mechanics, polish graphics, and build a community through pre‑launch marketing initiatives.
In summary, the partnership represents a strategic alignment of goals: Maverick seeks a publishing partner that respects its creative aspirations, while Focus looks to expand into a new genre with a title that has the potential to become a flagship IP. With the combined expertise of former Forza Horizon talent and a seasoned French publisher, Clutch is positioned to make a notable impact on the racing game landscape when it arrives in 2027.