French publisher 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 as they aim to carve out a fresh niche in the open‑world racing genre. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games entered into a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for a game that had not yet been publicly revealed. However, Amazon chose to end that arrangement earlier this year, stating that it needed to concentrate on initiatives that better align with Amazon’s distinctive capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious project. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to 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 comment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner that not only provides financial backing but also understands the creative vision behind Clutch. 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 sees the title as a chance to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented experiences.
By adding an expansive, open‑world racing game, Focus hopes to attract a broader audience and demonstrate its flexibility as a publishing house. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This multi‑platform launch strategy reflects a growing industry trend where developers aim to maximize reach by making titles available on all major current‑generation consoles and high‑end PCs. 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 highlight the publisher’s desire to work with studios that push boundaries and bring fresh ideas to established genres. Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, 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." Brown’s statement reinforces the studio’s original mission—to create a racing game that offers players a vast, immersive environment where they can explore, compete, and customize their experience without the constraints of traditional circuit‑based titles.
Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing entity that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that includes Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This diversified structure gives Focus access to a wide range of development talent and resources, which can be leveraged to support ambitious projects like Clutch.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers. The team’s pedigree includes extensive experience on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown served as creative director. This background provides a solid foundation for the studio’s ambition to blend the open‑world freedom of Horizon titles with a fresh, competitive racing focus that aims to stand out in a crowded market. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner also reflects broader shifts in the gaming industry.
Large tech companies such as Amazon often reassess their portfolios, prioritizing projects that directly leverage their cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities, or other proprietary strengths. In contrast, dedicated game publishers like Focus are more likely to invest in niche, genre‑defining experiences that may not have immediate cross‑platform synergies but hold long‑term brand value.
Clutch itself promises to deliver an expansive world where players can race across diverse environments, from bustling city streets to remote wilderness tracks. The developers have hinted at deep customization options, dynamic weather systems, and a progression model that rewards both skill and exploration. By focusing on an open‑world design, Maverick hopes to differentiate Clutch from traditional circuit‑based racers, offering a sense of freedom and discovery that encourages players to craft their own narratives within the game.
In addition to the core racing mechanics, the studio plans to integrate robust multiplayer features, including competitive leagues, cooperative events, and community‑driven content tools. These elements aim to foster a vibrant online ecosystem that keeps players engaged long after the initial launch.
The partnership also opens doors for future collaborations. Focus’s extensive network of development studios could provide additional technical support, art assets, or even co‑development opportunities for post‑launch content such as expansion packs, seasonal events, and downloadable content (DLC). This synergy could help Maverick maintain momentum and keep Clutch fresh in the eyes of the gaming community.
Overall, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing expertise. With a launch window set for spring 2027, both companies are poised to deliver a racing experience that aims to redefine what players expect from open‑world titles. The industry will be watching closely as development progresses, eager to see whether Clutch can indeed become the next landmark franchise in the racing genre.