French publisher 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: it gives Focus its first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverick with a publishing partner that shares its long‑term vision for the intellectual property.
The road to this agreement began in 2024, when Maverick Games entered into a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for a game that had not yet been publicly disclosed. That relationship was dissolved earlier in the current year when Amazon decided to shift its focus toward initiatives that more directly exploit the company’s unique technological capabilities and scale. In a statement, Amazon explained that the decision was driven by a strategic realignment rather than any shortcoming in the project itself. Following the split, Maverick’s co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio immediately resumed conversations with other potential partners.
"We are actively engaging with publishers who understand our long‑term ambition for the Clutch IP and who are willing to support us in bringing this vision to life," Sangha said. He added that further details about the partnership would be revealed later in the year. Focus Entertainment, a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, welcomed the opportunity to add Clutch to its portfolio. The publisher emphasized that the title will be its first entry into the open‑world racing segment, a space that has seen limited competition despite the popularity of sandbox experiences in other genres.
"Publishing Clutch will strengthen our lineup with a high‑quality, open‑world racing experience that we believe can become a flagship IP for both our companies," a Focus spokesperson said. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the latest generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The developers have described Clutch as an expansive, free‑roaming racing environment where players can explore a richly detailed world, customize vehicles, and engage in a variety of competitive and cooperative modes. The emphasis on player freedom and dynamic weather systems is intended to set the title apart from more linear racing games.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy when selecting partners. "We look for creators who are pushing the boundaries of their genre," he explained. "Mike Brown and his team have earned a reputation as one of the most innovative voices in racing, and Clutch perfectly embodies the kind of ambitious, genre‑defining project we want to champion." Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed those sentiments. "Our mission when we founded Maverick was to build the kind of open‑world racing experience we had imagined for years," Brown said.
"Focus shares our high creative standards and our excitement for Clutch, and we can’t wait for gamers around the world to dive into this world we’ve crafted." Maverick Games itself is a relatively new studio, formed in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games developers. The team’s pedigree includes work on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Brown served as creative director.
This background gives the studio a solid foundation in creating expansive, visually stunning racing environments, and it also informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend realistic vehicle physics with a vibrant, living world. Pullup Entertainment, the parent company of Focus, operates three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew (which focuses on smaller, indie‑style titles), and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This diversified structure provides a robust network of resources, from marketing expertise to technical support, that can be leveraged to promote and sustain a major launch like Clutch.
The partnership between Maverick and Focus also reflects broader trends in the video‑game industry, where independent studios increasingly seek publishing allies that can provide not just funding but also strategic guidance, distribution channels, and brand amplification. By aligning with a publisher that has a clear interest in expanding into new genres, Maverick hopes to ensure that Clutch receives the level of attention and support necessary to compete with established racing franchises. Analysts predict that the open‑world racing niche could become a lucrative segment if executed well, citing the success of titles that combine exploration with high‑octane competition. Should Clutch deliver on its promises—seamless open‑world traversal, a deep vehicle customization system, and a compelling multiplayer component—it could set a new benchmark for future racing games.
In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing capability. With a launch targeted for spring 2027 on major consoles and PC, Clutch aims to deliver an immersive, open‑world racing experience that could redefine expectations within the genre. Both companies appear committed to nurturing the title from its current development stage through to post‑launch support, signaling a long‑term investment in the IP’s growth and success.