French publishing house Focus Entertainment has announced a new partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, 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 a seasoned publisher to support its ambitious debut. The road to this agreement began in 2024, when Maverick initially entered into a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for a project that had not yet been publicly disclosed.
That partnership was dissolved earlier in the year when Amazon decided to re‑allocate its resources toward initiatives that more directly leverage its unique technological capabilities and scale. In a statement, Amazon explained that the decision was driven by a strategic focus on projects that align closely with its core strengths. Following the split with Amazon, Maverick’s co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio had entered “active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP.” He added that Maverick looks forward to revealing further details about the collaboration later in the year, signaling confidence that the new partnership will keep the project on track for its planned release window.
Focus Entertainment’s publishing division welcomed the opportunity, noting that adding Clutch to its catalogue will “strengthen our portfolio with its first entry into the open‑world racing space.” The publisher emphasized a shared vision with Maverick to deliver a standout experience that could establish Clutch as a flagship racing intellectual property. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, explained that the company seeks to work with creators who are redefining their respective genres.
He singled out Mike Brown and his team as “one of the defining creative voices in the racing genre,” and said that Clutch perfectly embodies the kind of bold, innovative ambition the publisher wants to champion. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed that sentiment. He explained that the studio was founded with the specific goal of building the open‑world racing experience he had imagined for many 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.
The partnership therefore represents a meeting of minds: a publisher eager to expand into a new genre and a developer driven to realize a long‑held vision of a seamless, expansive racing universe. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 launch across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
While the exact gameplay mechanics and narrative setting remain under wraps, the developers have hinted at a blend of high‑octane street racing, off‑road challenges, and a persistent open world that encourages exploration and competition. The game aims to differentiate itself from traditional circuit‑based racers by offering a living, breathing environment where players can discover hidden routes, engage in spontaneous events, and personalize their vehicles in unprecedented ways. The partnership also benefits from Focus Entertainment’s broader corporate structure. Focus is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, which oversees three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.
Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for the acclaimed “The Surge” series; Streumon, creators of “Elex”; Twelve Tenths, developers of “The Riftbreaker”; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This network provides Maverick with access to a wealth of technical expertise, production resources, and marketing channels that can help elevate Clutch from a promising concept to a market‑ready product.
Maverick Games itself is a relatively new studio, founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The founders, including Brown, bring a deep pedigree in open‑world racing, having previously contributed to the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Brown served as creative director on several Forza Horizon titles, where he helped shape the franchise’s signature blend of realistic driving physics and expansive, player‑driven worlds. This background informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which seeks to push the boundaries of what an open‑world racing game can offer.
The transition from Amazon to Focus also reflects broader industry trends, where independent studios often seek publishing partners that can provide tailored support rather than the broad, platform‑centric focus of large tech companies. By aligning with Focus, Maverick gains a partner that not only understands the nuances of the racing genre but also has a vested interest in nurturing a new IP from its inception through launch and beyond. This alignment is expected to facilitate smoother development milestones, more focused marketing campaigns, and a clearer path to post‑launch content updates.
In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment signals a promising future for Clutch. With a seasoned publisher backing a studio led by veterans of the Forza Horizon franchise, the game is positioned to make a significant impact when it arrives in spring 2027. Players can anticipate an expansive, richly detailed racing world that blends the excitement of high‑speed competition with the freedom of open‑world exploration, all underpinned by the combined expertise of two passionate teams committed to redefining the genre.