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: Focus expands its catalogue into the open‑world racing genre, while Maverick secures a seasoned publishing ally after an earlier arrangement fell through.
In early 2024, Maverick Games entered into a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for a game that had not yet been publicly disclosed. However, Amazon chose to end that partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing partner that could share its long‑term vision for the IP. 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 statement underscored Maverick’s determination to keep the project moving forward despite the setback with Amazon, and it hinted at an upcoming announcement that would reveal the new publishing arrangement. Focus Entertainment quickly stepped into that role, 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 flagship title that can diversify its offerings beyond its existing slate of narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games.
The game is slated for a Spring 2027 release across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This timeline gives the development team ample opportunity to refine the open‑world mechanics, polish the visual fidelity, and integrate the extensive car customization features that have been hinted at in early teasers.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership, stating, "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 comments highlight the respect Focus has for Maverick’s leadership and the creative direction they intend to pursue.
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 remarks reinforce the studio’s original mission—to craft a sprawling, immersive racing environment that goes beyond traditional circuit‑based games and offers a living, breathing world for players to explore. The partnership also situates Clutch within a broader ecosystem of studios owned by Focus’s parent company, Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup oversees three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios that include Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This network provides Maverick with access to a wealth of technical expertise, shared technology pipelines, and cross‑studio collaboration opportunities that can accelerate development and improve overall quality. Maverick Games itself is a relatively new studio, founded in 2023 by a group of former Playground Games veterans. The team’s pedigree includes significant experience on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown previously served as creative director.
That background gives the studio a deep understanding of open‑world design, high‑performance car physics, and the kind of player‑centric polish that has made Horizon titles successful. Clutch aims to differentiate itself from existing racing franchises by emphasizing a seamless blend of narrative, exploration, and competitive racing.
While details remain under wraps, early interviews suggest the game will feature a dynamic weather system, a living cityscape that reacts to player actions, and an extensive progression system that rewards both skillful driving and exploration. The developers have also hinted at a robust multiplayer component that will allow players to race together in real time, host community events, and even collaborate on in‑game challenges.
Industry analysts view the Focus‑Maverick partnership as a strategic move that could reshape the racing genre landscape. By backing a title that aspires to combine the open‑world freedom of Horizon with the competitive depth of traditional racing sims, Focus is positioning itself to capture both casual and hardcore audiences. Moreover, the involvement of a seasoned team led by Brown adds credibility and raises expectations among gamers who have followed his previous work.
In summary, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment marks a pivotal moment for both companies. Focus gains its first foray into open‑world racing, expanding its publishing repertoire, while Maverick secures a supportive partner capable of delivering its ambitious vision to a global audience. With a planned launch in Spring 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch is poised to become a notable entry in the racing genre, offering players a fresh, immersive experience that blends exploration, narrative, and high‑octane competition.