French publishing house Focus Entertainment has announced a new 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, combining Focus’s distribution expertise with Maverick’s vision for an expansive, open‑world racing experience. Initially, Maverick Games entered into a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios back in 2024 when the game was still under wraps. However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better align with 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, told 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 partner that not only provides financial backing but also embraces the creative direction of the Clutch universe. Focus Entertainment’s response to the partnership was equally enthusiastic.
In a press release, the publisher explained that bringing Clutch into 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 adding an open‑world racer to its lineup, Focus aims to diversify its offerings beyond the action‑adventure and narrative‑driven titles for which it is best known. The game is slated for a Spring 2027 launch across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform release strategy is intended to maximize reach and give players on each system the chance to explore the expansive, high‑speed world that Maverick has been building. Vincent Chataignier, Deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy, 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 highlight the synergy between the two companies: Focus seeks innovative, genre‑pushing projects, while Maverick brings a fresh perspective to racing games.
Mike Brown, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Maverick Games, added his own thoughts on the collaboration: "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 reflect the studio’s original mission—to craft a seamless blend of high‑octane racing and immersive, open‑world exploration that has long been absent from mainstream titles. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publisher operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s corporate structure includes 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 diversified ecosystem provides Focus with a robust pipeline of talent and technology, which can be leveraged to support Clutch’s development and eventual release. Maverick Games 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 installments, brings a wealth of experience in crafting vibrant, open‑world racing environments.
His background informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to push the boundaries of scale, visual fidelity, and player freedom. The decision to transition from Amazon to Focus may also reflect broader industry trends. Large tech‑focused publishers like Amazon have been reevaluating their gaming portfolios, often pulling back from projects that do not directly align with cloud services, AI integration, or other core competencies. In contrast, specialized publishers such as Focus are more inclined to invest deeply in niche genres and support long‑term development cycles, offering developers the creative latitude needed for ambitious titles.
Clutch itself promises to differentiate itself from traditional circuit‑based racers by offering a living, breathing world where players can explore diverse landscapes, discover hidden routes, and engage in dynamic weather systems that affect vehicle handling. Early concept art suggests a blend of urban megacities, coastal highways, and rugged mountain passes, each rendered with meticulous attention to detail. The game’s open‑world design is expected to encourage emergent gameplay, allowing racers to craft their own challenges and narratives within the broader framework of the title.
In addition to the core racing mechanics, Maverick has hinted at a progression system that rewards players for exploration, vehicle customization, and skillful driving. This system is anticipated to integrate both cosmetic upgrades and performance‑enhancing modifications, giving players the freedom to tailor their experience while maintaining a competitive balance.
The partnership also opens the door for potential post‑launch support, including downloadable content, seasonal events, and community‑driven initiatives. Focus Entertainment’s experience with live‑service models could prove valuable in sustaining player engagement long after the initial release. Overall, the Maverick‑Focus alliance signals a promising future for Clutch and for the broader racing genre.
By combining Maverick’s visionary design with Focus’s publishing muscle and industry connections, the two companies aim to deliver a game that not only satisfies existing fans of high‑speed open‑world titles but also attracts newcomers seeking a fresh, immersive racing adventure. The industry will be watching closely as development progresses toward the anticipated Spring 2027 launch, with expectations that Clutch could become a defining entry in the next generation of racing games.