French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing 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, as it combines Focus’s extensive distribution network and publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience.
The origins of Clutch trace back to early 2024, when Maverick Games first announced a partnership with Amazon Game Studios to develop the as‑yet‑unnamed title. That relationship was short‑lived; Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier in the year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit Amazon’s unique capabilities and scale. In a statement, Amazon explained that the decision was driven by a desire to concentrate resources on projects that align more closely with its core strengths, leaving Maverick to seek a new publishing home for its ambitious racing game.
Following the split with Amazon, Maverick’s co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha spoke to GamesIndustry.biz about the studio’s next steps. Sangha emphasized that Maverick is actively engaging with potential partners who share a long‑term commitment to the intellectual property and its future growth. He hinted that more details about these discussions would be disclosed later in the year, underscoring the studio’s confidence that the right partner would help bring Clutch to a global audience.
Focus Entertainment responded enthusiastically to the opportunity, stating that publishing Clutch will broaden its portfolio by adding its first foray into the open‑world racing genre. The company highlighted a shared ambition with Maverick to deliver a standout, high‑quality experience that could establish Clutch as a flagship racing IP.
According to Focus, the partnership is rooted in a mutual desire to push the boundaries of what an open‑world racing game can achieve, both in terms of technical execution and creative storytelling. The game is slated for a spring 2027 release on the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This timeline gives the development team ample room to refine the world design, vehicle physics, and multiplayer components that are expected to set Clutch apart from existing titles in the genre. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the publisher’s philosophy when selecting partners.
He explained that Focus looks for creators who are redefining their respective genres and bringing fresh ideas to the market. In his view, Mike Brown and his team at Maverick Games are already recognized as influential voices within the racing community.
Chataignier noted that Clutch embodies the very type of creative ambition that Focus aims to champion, making the partnership a natural fit. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this sentiment. He recounted the studio’s founding mission: to build an open‑world racing experience that had long been a personal dream.
Brown praised Focus for aligning with Maverick’s high creative standards and shared vision for Clutch. He expressed excitement about the prospect of players worldwide exploring the expansive, immersive world the team is crafting. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group that oversees several distinct divisions. These include 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 structure provides Focus with a robust ecosystem of talent and resources, which it can leverage to support the development and launch of ambitious projects like Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a group of former developers from Playground Games, the studio behind the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on those titles, brings a wealth of experience in crafting large‑scale, visually stunning racing environments.
His background informs the design philosophy behind Clutch, which aims to blend the freedom of an open world with the high‑octane thrills of competitive racing. The partnership between Maverick and Focus signals a promising future for Clutch.
By combining Maverick’s innovative design approach with Focus’s publishing muscle, the two companies are positioned to deliver a game that could redefine open‑world racing. As the development progresses, fans can expect regular updates, behind‑the‑scenes looks at the world‑building process, and perhaps early gameplay showcases that will illustrate how Clutch intends to stand out in a crowded market.
With a 2027 launch on the horizon, the anticipation is building for what could become a landmark title in the genre.