French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies: for Focus, it represents the first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while for Maverick it provides a new home for a project that has already undergone a notable shift in partnership. In early 2024 Maverick Games originally signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for a game that had not yet been publicly disclosed.
That arrangement was dissolved by Amazon earlier in the year, with the tech giant stating that it needed to concentrate on initiatives that more directly exploit Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale. The termination left Maverick searching for a new publishing ally that could match its vision for an expansive, open‑world racing experience.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, told GamesIndustry.biz that the studio is now 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 determination to find a partner whose strategic goals align with the creative direction of Clutch, and it set the stage for the ensuing agreement with Focus Entertainment. Focus Entertainment’s statement about the deal emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership.
The publisher said 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." By adding an open‑world title to its catalogue, Focus diversifies its offerings beyond its existing slate of narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, positioning itself to capture a segment of the market that has seen strong consumer interest thanks to titles like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed. The game is slated for a Spring 2027 launch on the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This release window gives the development team ample time to refine the open‑world mechanics, polish the visual fidelity required for next‑gen consoles, and integrate community‑focused features that have become standard expectations for modern racing games.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy when he said, "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 strategic intent of Focus to align itself with developers who push genre boundaries, and they signal confidence in Maverick’s leadership. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, 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 background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, and his experience in delivering expansive, visually stunning racing environments informs the design philosophy behind Clutch. The game aims to combine the freedom of an open world with the high‑octane thrills of competitive racing, offering players a seamless blend of exploration, customization, and high‑speed competition.
Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s 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 ecosystem provides a robust network of resources, from marketing expertise to technical support, which Maverick can leverage to bring Clutch to a global audience. Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers, bringing together talent that has previously contributed to successful open‑world racing titles.
The studio’s mission has been to create a racing experience that goes beyond the traditional circuit format, allowing players to roam vast, detailed environments, discover hidden routes, and engage in spontaneous events that keep the gameplay fresh and dynamic. By partnering with Focus, Maverick gains access to a publishing partner with deep market knowledge, distribution channels, and the financial backing necessary to support a multi‑year development cycle. The partnership also reflects broader industry trends where mid‑size studios seek publishing deals that offer both creative freedom and strategic support.
In recent years, publishers have become more willing to invest in niche genres and innovative concepts, recognizing that differentiation can drive long‑term brand loyalty. For Focus, Clutch represents a calculated entry into a competitive segment, while for Maverick it ensures that the ambitious vision for an open‑world racing universe can be realized without compromising on quality or scope. As the development progresses, both companies have indicated that they will share periodic updates, gameplay footage, and developer diaries to build community excitement.
Early access or beta testing phases are likely to be considered, allowing fans to provide feedback that could shape final features, vehicle handling dynamics, and world design. The collaborative approach aims to create a product that resonates with both hardcore racing enthusiasts and casual players seeking an immersive, open‑world adventure. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment sets the stage for a potentially landmark title in the racing genre. With a release targeted for Spring 2027 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch aspires to deliver a fresh take on open‑world racing, backed by a publisher eager to expand its portfolio and a development team led by industry veterans.
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and the creation of a new racing IP that could become a staple for gamers worldwide.