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: Focus expands its catalogue into the open‑world racing genre, while Maverick secures a seasoned publishing ally after an earlier arrangement fell through.
In early 2024 Maverick Games had originally signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unnamed title. However, Amazon chose to end the partnership 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 shared 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 home that not only provides financial backing but also aligns with its creative goals. 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 publisher sees the title as a chance to diversify its offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven games for which it is best known. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The game promises an expansive, open‑world environment where players can explore a variety of terrains, customize vehicles, and engage in high‑octane races that blend realism with arcade‑style fun. While specific gameplay mechanics have not been fully disclosed, the developers have hinted at a dynamic weather system, a robust progression tree, and a living world populated by AI‑driven competitors and events. 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." Chataignier’s comments reflect Focus’s strategic intent to back projects that push genre boundaries and attract dedicated fanbases.
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 highlight the studio’s passion for delivering a fresh take on racing, one that combines the freedom of an open world with the precision and excitement of competitive motorsport. The partnership also brings to light the broader corporate structure behind Focus Entertainment.
The publisher operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a holding company that oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for titles such as "The Surge" series; Streumon, creators of "The Riftbreaker"; Twelve Tenths, developers of "The Last Oricru"; Leikir Studio; Blackmill; Dovetail; and Carpool Studio. This network provides a wealth of technical expertise and cross‑disciplinary support that can be leveraged for a project as ambitious as Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games veterans, a studio best known for the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown previously served as creative director on several Forza Horizon installments, bringing a deep understanding of open‑world design, vehicle dynamics, and player‑driven storytelling to his new venture. This pedigree gives Clutch a strong foundation, as the team is already familiar with the challenges of creating a seamless, large‑scale racing environment. Looking ahead, both Maverick and Focus are optimistic about the title’s potential impact on the market. The racing genre has traditionally been dominated by franchises that focus on either hyper‑realistic simulation or arcade‑style sprint races.
By delivering an open‑world experience that blends exploration, customization, and competitive racing, Clutch aims to carve out a unique niche and attract both hardcore enthusiasts and casual gamers. The spring 2027 launch window provides ample time for the development team to refine gameplay systems, polish visuals, and integrate community feedback through beta testing phases.
In addition, the partnership with Focus ensures that marketing, distribution, and post‑launch support will be handled by a publisher with a proven track record of bringing diverse titles to a global audience. In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing capability.
With a seasoned team at the helm, a clear roadmap toward a 2027 release, and the backing of a well‑connected publisher, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy entry in the racing genre, offering players an expansive world to race through and a fresh perspective on what a modern racing game can be.