French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Maverik Games to bring to market the studio’s inaugural open‑world racing experience, titled Clutch. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, as Focus seeks to broaden its catalogue with a high‑octane, sandbox‑style racer, while Maverik looks to secure a publishing home after its previous arrangement fell through. In early 2024 Maverik Games originally struck a deal with Amazon Game Studios to develop an as‑yet‑unnamed racing project. However, Amazon decided to dissolve the partnership earlier this year, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that better leveraged the company’s unique capabilities and massive scale.
The decision left Maverik without a publisher and prompted the studio to explore other avenues for bringing its ambitious title to market. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverik 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 comment underscores the company’s determination to find a partner whose vision aligns with the open‑world racing experience Maverik has been crafting since its inception.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing 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, a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, sees the title as a chance to diversify its offerings beyond its traditional focus on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, venturing into a genre that has historically been dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises. Clutch is slated for a Spring 2027 launch across the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as PC.
The game promises an expansive, fully realized world where players can freely explore diverse environments, from bustling city streets to rugged countryside roads, all while customizing and racing a wide array of vehicles. The developers have hinted at a deep progression system, dynamic weather, and a live‑service component that will keep the world fresh long after release. 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 remarks reflect Focus’s broader strategy of aligning with studios that push the boundaries of established genres, and they highlight the respect the industry has for Brown’s previous work. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverik Games, added his perspective: "We founded Maverik 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 not only reaffirms the studio’s original vision but also signals confidence that the partnership with Focus will provide the resources and distribution reach needed to realize that vision on a global scale. The background of both companies adds further context to this collaboration.
Focus Entertainment, headquartered in France, operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment, which manages three core 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 network gives Focus a robust infrastructure for marketing, distribution, and post‑launch support, which can be crucial for a title that aims to maintain a live, evolving world. Maverik Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers, a studio best known for the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on several Forza Horizon entries, brings a wealth of experience in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing environments that blend realistic vehicle handling with a sense of freedom and exploration.
This pedigree has generated considerable anticipation within the racing community, as fans of the Horizon series are eager to see how Brown’s new studio will translate that expertise into an original IP. The transition from Amazon to Focus also reflects broader industry trends, where independent studios increasingly seek publishing partners that can offer tailored support rather than the massive, often impersonal backing of tech‑giant publishers. By aligning with Focus, Maverik gains a partner that is specifically interested in nurturing niche, genre‑defining experiences, while Focus benefits from adding a high‑profile, open‑world racer to its catalog—a genre that has seen renewed interest thanks to titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo 7.
Looking ahead, both parties have hinted at further collaborative efforts beyond the initial launch. Sangha mentioned that Maverik is already in discussions about post‑launch content, potential expansions, and even cross‑platform play initiatives that could broaden the game’s reach. Focus, for its part, has indicated that it will leverage its global marketing channels to position Clutch as a flagship title for the spring 2027 release window, aiming to capture both hardcore racing enthusiasts and casual gamers attracted by the promise of an open, living world.
In summary, the partnership between Maverik Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative ambition and publishing expertise. With a seasoned team led by Mike Brown at the helm, a clear vision for an immersive, open‑world racing experience, and the backing of a publisher eager to expand into new territory, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy addition to the racing genre when it arrives in spring 2027.