French publishing house Focus Entertainment has entered into a 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 combines Focus’s extensive publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience. The origins of Clutch trace back to 2024, when Maverick Games initially secured a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the still‑secret title.
However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier in the year, stating that its strategic focus would shift toward initiatives that better leverage the company’s unique capabilities and scale. This decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing ally that shared its long‑term aspirations for the intellectual property.
In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained 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 sentiment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner whose goals align with the ambitious scope of Clutch. Focus Entertainment’s response to the opportunity was swift and enthusiastic. The publisher highlighted 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." By venturing into the open‑world racing genre, Focus aims to diversify its offerings beyond its traditional focus areas, while providing Maverick with the resources and market reach needed to bring the game to a global audience.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release on the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The timing positions the title to capitalize on the growing appetite for expansive, immersive racing games that blend high‑octane speed with richly detailed, living worlds. 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 signals that Focus sees Maverick’s team not only as capable developers but as innovators who can push the boundaries of what a racing game can be. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this enthusiasm: "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 statement reflects a long‑standing passion for creating a game that merges the thrill of high‑speed competition with the freedom of exploring a vast, dynamic environment. The partnership also benefits from Focus Entertainment’s broader corporate structure. As a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, Focus operates alongside three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This network provides Maverick with access to a wealth of technical talent, marketing expertise, and distribution channels that can help Clutch achieve a prominent position in the crowded racing market. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing together seasoned veterans who contributed to the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on those titles, leverages his deep experience in crafting open‑world racing experiences to shape Clutch’s design philosophy. The team’s background suggests a strong emphasis on delivering a seamless blend of realistic vehicle handling, diverse terrain, and a living world that reacts to player actions.
Beyond the core gameplay, the developers plan to incorporate a robust progression system, dynamic weather patterns, and a narrative layer that gives players purpose as they explore the open world. By integrating these elements, Clutch aims to differentiate itself from traditional circuit‑based racers, offering a more immersive and replayable experience. The decision to target both console and PC platforms reflects an understanding of the varied preferences among racing enthusiasts. While consoles provide a standardized hardware environment that ensures consistent performance, the PC version will allow for higher graphical fidelity, mod support, and customizable control schemes, catering to the segment of the community that values technical flexibility.
Marketing efforts for Clutch will likely leverage Focus Entertainment’s existing relationships with major retailers and digital storefronts, as well as its experience in coordinating large‑scale launch campaigns. Early teasers, developer diaries, and community engagement initiatives are expected to build anticipation throughout 2025 and 2026, culminating in a high‑visibility release window in spring 2027. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic convergence of creative ambition and publishing muscle.
With a seasoned development team, a clear vision for an open‑world racing experience, and the backing of a well‑connected publisher, Clutch is positioned to become a noteworthy addition to the racing genre, potentially setting new standards for how players experience speed and exploration in a unified, expansive world.