French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a 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 they aim to deliver an ambitious open‑world racing experience that could become a new flagship franchise in the genre. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had initially secured a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, still‑secret title.
However, Amazon decided to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better exploit the company’s unique capabilities and scale. This decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home, and Focus Entertainment emerged as a natural fit given its growing interest in expanding into open‑world racing. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to 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 comment underscores the studio’s commitment to finding a publishing partner whose vision aligns with the lofty goals set for Clutch, and it hints at forthcoming announcements that will reveal additional details about the game’s development timeline, features, and perhaps even early gameplay footage. Focus Entertainment, in its official statement, highlighted 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 publisher’s enthusiasm reflects a broader strategic move to diversify its catalog beyond traditional action‑adventure and narrative‑driven titles, venturing into a market segment that has seen strong consumer demand for expansive, immersive racing worlds.
Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the latest generation consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. The multi‑platform launch strategy aims to capture a wide audience, from console enthusiasts who appreciate high‑fidelity graphics and seamless performance, to PC gamers who often seek deeper customization options and mod support. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’s philosophy: "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 not only validates Maverick’s creative direction but also signals to the industry that the game is being backed by a publisher willing to invest significant resources in marketing, distribution, and post‑launch support. 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 highlight the personal passion that drove the formation of Maverick in 2023, as well as the studio’s desire to push the boundaries of what an open‑world racing title can achieve—combining realistic vehicle dynamics, a living, breathing world, and a narrative that motivates players to explore beyond traditional race tracks. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a French media group that oversees three primary divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.
Among its internal studios are Deck13, known for narrative‑driven action games; Streumon, a creator of atmospheric shooters; Twelve Tenths, an indie studio with a focus on experimental gameplay; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This diversified portfolio provides Focus with a robust infrastructure for supporting a wide range of game types, from indie experiments to large‑scale AAA projects, and positions it well to handle the logistical and promotional demands of a title like Clutch. Maverick Games itself was founded by a team of former Playground Games developers in 2023. The studio’s leadership includes industry veterans who have previously contributed to the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon series, with Mike Brown having served as creative director on those titles.
This pedigree gives Maverick a deep well of expertise in crafting expansive, visually stunning racing environments that blend arcade fun with realistic driving physics—a blend that fans of the Horizon series have come to expect. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner is expected to have several practical implications for the development timeline.
While Amazon’s withdrawal was framed as a strategic realignment rather than a reflection on the game's potential, Focus’s commitment appears to be more hands‑on, with promises of marketing muscle and distribution networks that can elevate Clutch’s visibility in a crowded market. The partnership may also open doors for additional collaborations, such as cross‑promotional opportunities with other Pullup Entertainment properties or exclusive content deals with hardware manufacturers. Looking ahead, the spring 2027 launch window gives Maverick and Focus ample time to refine gameplay mechanics, flesh out the open world, and integrate community feedback from any early beta tests or demo releases.
The developers have hinted at a world that extends beyond traditional race tracks, featuring dynamic weather systems, a living ecosystem of NPC drivers, and a progression system that rewards exploration as much as speed. By the time the game reaches retail shelves, players can anticipate a richly detailed environment that encourages both competitive racing and leisurely cruising.
In summary, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative vision and publishing support aimed at delivering a groundbreaking open‑world racing title. With a seasoned development team, a clear release schedule, and a publisher eager to expand into new territory, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy addition to the racing genre, potentially setting new standards for scale, immersion, and player agency in future racing games.