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, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh vision for an open‑world racing experience. The journey of Clutch began in 2024 when Maverick Games entered into a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios.
At that time the game was still under wraps, and the two parties were exploring how Amazon’s extensive infrastructure could support the ambitious title. However, early in the year Amazon decided to dissolve the agreement, citing a strategic shift toward projects that more directly exploit the company’s unique strengths and scale. The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing partner that shared its long‑term aspirations for the IP.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick 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 dialogue ultimately led to the partnership with Focus Entertainment, a company that has been steadily expanding its portfolio across multiple genres. Focus Entertainment’s statement highlighted the strategic fit: 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 gateway into a genre that has been dominated by a handful of long‑standing franchises, and it hopes that Clutch’s open‑world design will differentiate it from more conventional circuit‑based racers. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, giving the development team ample time to refine the world, polish the driving mechanics, and integrate the extensive customization options that have become a hallmark of modern racing titles. The three‑year development window also allows Maverick to incorporate player feedback from early demos and beta tests, ensuring that the final product meets the high expectations set by both the studio and its new publishing partner.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership 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." This endorsement underscores Focus’s confidence in Maverick’s leadership and creative direction.
Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, echoed the sentiment, adding, "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, a pedigree that lends credibility to the promise of an immersive, expansive racing universe. Focus Entertainment itself is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that oversees 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 Maverick with access to a broad network of technical resources, marketing expertise, and distribution channels, all of which are critical for launching a title of Clutch’s scope.
Maverick Games was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers who wanted to push the boundaries of the racing genre beyond the traditional rally‑to‑circuit formula. Their collective experience on titles like the Forza Horizon franchise has informed their desire to create a living, breathing world where players can explore diverse environments, discover hidden routes, and engage in dynamic weather and day‑night cycles—all while competing in high‑octane races.
The partnership with Focus also opens doors for potential post‑launch support, including downloadable content, seasonal events, and possibly even a live‑service component that could keep the community engaged for years. By aligning with a publisher that values long‑term IP development, Maverick hopes to ensure that Clutch evolves beyond its initial launch, adding new cars, tracks, and gameplay modes based on player feedback. In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a mutually beneficial arrangement: Focus gains a foothold in the open‑world racing market, while Maverick secures a publishing partner that respects its creative vision and can provide the logistical muscle needed to bring Clutch to a global audience.
With a projected spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation consoles and PC, the industry and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this ambitious project reshapes the landscape of racing games.