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 adds an open‑world racing experience to Focus’s catalog while giving Maverick a seasoned publishing ally after an earlier setback. In early 2024, Maverick Games had initially secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unnamed, racing title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new partner that could share its long‑term vision for the IP. 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 statement underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing partner whose goals align with its own aspirations for Clutch.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, stating that publishing Clutch 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 company sees the title as a way to diversify its offerings and to demonstrate its willingness to back ambitious, genre‑defining projects. 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 open‑world environment where players can explore diverse landscapes, customize vehicles, and engage in high‑octane races that blend realism with imaginative design. 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 respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership and creative direction. 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 a shared enthusiasm between the two companies and a clear vision for what the final product should achieve.
Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that manages three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This extensive network provides Focus with a robust infrastructure for supporting and distributing new titles across multiple platforms. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers.
The studio’s leadership brings a wealth of experience from the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown previously served as creative director. That background informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend the open‑world freedom of Horizon titles with a fresh, competitive racing focus. The transition from Amazon to Focus as a publishing partner is more than a simple contractual change; it signals a strategic realignment for Maverick.
While Amazon’s withdrawal was framed as a move to concentrate on projects that leverage its own strengths, the partnership with Focus offers Maverick a publisher that is deeply invested in the racing genre and eager to nurture new intellectual property. This alignment is expected to provide Maverick with the resources, marketing expertise, and distribution channels necessary to bring Clutch to a global audience. Industry observers note that the racing genre has seen a resurgence of interest in open‑world formats, with titles like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed Heat demonstrating strong consumer demand for expansive, exploration‑driven racing experiences.
Clutch aims to capitalize on this trend by delivering a world that is both visually striking and mechanically robust, featuring dynamic weather systems, varied terrain, and a robust progression system for vehicle customization. In addition to the core racing mechanics, Maverick plans to incorporate social and competitive features that encourage community engagement. These may include online leaderboards, seasonal events, and multiplayer modes that allow players to race against friends or strangers in real time. By fostering an active player community, the developers hope to extend the game’s lifespan and keep the experience fresh long after launch.
The partnership also opens doors for potential post‑launch content. Focus Entertainment’s experience with downloadable content (DLC) and live‑service models suggests that Clutch could receive regular updates, new race tracks, vehicle packs, and narrative expansions. Such ongoing support would align with modern player expectations for evolving game worlds. Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a promising convergence of creative talent and publishing expertise.
With a clear release window in spring 2027 and a multi‑platform launch strategy, Clutch is positioned to make a notable impact on the racing game landscape. Fans of open‑world racing can look forward to a title that blends the studio’s seasoned development pedigree with the publisher’s commitment to genre‑defining experiences.