French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural open‑world racing project, titled 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 with a seasoned publishing partner 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 the game, which at that time was still being kept under wraps.
However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale. The decision left Maverick seeking a new publishing home for its ambitious title. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been "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 partner that not only understands the vision for Clutch but also has the resources to help realize it on a global stage. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm welcomed the opportunity, stating that adding Clutch to its catalogue 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 partnership as a chance to diversify its offerings and to demonstrate its ability to support large‑scale, genre‑defining projects.
Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The game promises an expansive open‑world environment where players can explore varied landscapes, compete in high‑speed races, and customize their vehicles to a degree that has rarely been seen in the genre.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the company’s selection criteria, 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 that the industry holds for Maverick’s founder, Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, 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." His comments reflect a long‑standing passion for creating a racing universe that blends realistic vehicle dynamics with a living, breathing world that reacts to the player’s actions. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes three primary 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 titles like Clutch, offering everything from marketing expertise to technical assistance. Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former developers from Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon franchise. The founders, led by Brown, sought to create a studio that could pursue their own creative vision without the constraints often imposed by larger publishers. Their experience on Forza Horizon, a series celebrated for its seamless blend of open‑world exploration and high‑octane racing, informs the design philosophy behind Clutch.
The team aims to push the boundaries of what an open‑world racing game can achieve, incorporating dynamic weather systems, a living ecosystem, and a narrative that encourages players to engage with the world beyond merely racing. The transition from Amazon to Focus as a publishing partner is expected to have several practical implications for the development timeline. With Focus’s resources, Maverick can accelerate certain aspects of production, such as advanced physics modeling, high‑fidelity asset creation, and extensive playtesting across multiple platforms. Moreover, Focus’s established relationships with platform holders and its marketing muscle will help ensure that Clutch receives the visibility it needs to compete in a crowded market.
Industry observers note that the move also signals a broader trend where independent studios, after initial setbacks with larger tech‑centric publishers, are gravitating toward more traditional game publishers that specialize in nurturing creative talent. Focus’s commitment to the project suggests a belief that Clutch has the potential to become a flagship title, not just for Maverick but also for the publisher’s expanding portfolio.
In summary, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of visionary design and seasoned publishing expertise. With a spring 2027 launch window, the industry will be watching closely to see how Clutch delivers on its promise of an immersive, open‑world racing experience that could set new standards for the genre. The collaboration promises to blend Maverick’s deep understanding of racing mechanics with Focus’s strategic publishing capabilities, aiming to bring a fresh, ambitious title to gamers on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.