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 milestone for both companies, combining Focus’s distribution expertise with Maverick’s vision for an expansive, open‑world racing experience.
Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had initially aligned with Amazon Game Studios to develop the same, still‑unnamed title. However, Amazon chose to end the arrangement earlier this year, stating that its strategic priorities were shifting toward initiatives that more directly exploit the company’s unique technological capabilities and scale. This decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing partner that could share its long‑term ambition for the intellectual property. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, 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.” The search for a partner that not only understands but also amplifies Maverick’s creative goals led the team to Focus Entertainment, a well‑established French publisher with a growing portfolio of diverse titles.
Focus Entertainment’s leadership echoed this enthusiasm. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, 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.” By adding Clutch to its lineup, Focus 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 game is slated for a spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This timeline gives the development team ample opportunity to refine the open‑world mechanics, expand the vehicle roster, and polish the visual fidelity expected by modern gamers. The spring launch window also positions Clutch to avoid direct competition with the typical holiday blockbuster releases, allowing it to capture attention during a period when players are eager for fresh experiences.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, emphasized the studio’s original mission: “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 background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, and his team includes several former Playground Games developers who left the studio in 2023 to launch Maverick. Their collective experience in crafting large‑scale, visually stunning racing environments informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend high‑speed thrills with a richly detailed, living world.
Clutch’s design promises an open‑world setting where players can freely explore diverse terrains—from coastal highways and mountain passes to urban streets—while participating in a variety of race formats, stunt challenges, and dynamic events that evolve over time. The developers have spoken about integrating a robust progression system that rewards skill, exploration, and customization, allowing players to upgrade vehicles, unlock new regions, and personalize their racing avatars.
This approach reflects a broader industry trend toward sandbox‑style experiences that keep players engaged long after the initial launch. Beyond the core gameplay, Focus Entertainment’s involvement brings additional resources and expertise. As a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, Focus benefits from the broader corporate structure that 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 network provides Maverick with access to a wide range of technical support, marketing channels, and potential cross‑studio collaborations that could enhance Clutch’s post‑launch content roadmap. The partnership also signals a strategic shift for Focus Entertainment, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑adventure titles.
By venturing into the open‑world racing genre, the publisher diversifies its catalogue and taps into a lucrative market segment that has seen sustained growth thanks to titles like Forza Horizon, Need for Speed, and Gran Turismo. The success of Clutch could pave the way for future racing projects under the Focus banner, establishing the company as a credible player in this competitive space. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative vision and publishing muscle.
With Amazon Game Studios stepping away, Maverick found a partner whose values align closely with its own ambition to deliver a groundbreaking, open‑world racing experience. The upcoming spring 2027 launch promises to bring a fresh, expansive racing world to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC audiences, backed by a publisher eager to expand its horizons and a development team seasoned in crafting award‑winning racing titles. Fans of the genre can look forward to a title that not only pushes technical boundaries but also offers a richly immersive world to explore, race through, and ultimately, call their own.