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: for Focus, it represents a foray into the open‑world racing genre, while for Maverick it secures a new publishing home after a recent change in partnership. In early 2024 Maverick Games had originally signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the as‑yet‑unnamed racing title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the arrangement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward projects that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
The decision left Maverik searching for a partner that could share its long‑term vision for the intellectual property and provide the resources needed to bring an ambitious open‑world racing experience to a global audience. 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 statement underscores the company’s commitment to finding a publishing ally that not only supports the development process but also believes in the broader creative direction of Clutch.
Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm welcomed the opportunity, stating that adding Clutch to its catalogue 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 sees the title as a chance to diversify its offerings, which have historically spanned action‑adventure, narrative‑driven experiences, and indie‑style projects. By venturing into the high‑octane, open‑world racing segment, Focus aims to capture a slice of a market traditionally dominated by a handful of large studios.
The game is slated for a Spring 2027 launch on the current generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—as well as on PC. This timeline gives the development team ample room to refine the world design, vehicle physics, and the myriad systems that will make an open‑world racing experience feel both expansive and immersive. It also aligns with the typical three‑year development cycle for AAA‑level titles, allowing for iterative testing, community feedback, and polishing phases.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, added his perspective on the partnership: "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 publisher’s strategy of aligning with studios that push the boundaries of established genres, and they signal confidence in Maverick’s leadership. Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, echoed this enthusiasm: "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 franchise known for its seamless blend of realistic driving mechanics and vibrant, open‑world environments. His experience positions him well to lead a project that aspires to combine the thrill of high‑speed racing with the freedom of exploration. Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing entity operating under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s structure includes three primary 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 diversified portfolio gives Focus access to a wide range of development talent and technical expertise, which can be leveraged to support Maverick’s ambitious roadmap for Clutch. The origins of Maverick Games trace back to 2023, when a group of former Playground Games developers, including Brown, decided to strike out on their own. Playground Games is best known for the Forza Horizon franchise, and its alumni bring a deep understanding of open‑world design, vehicle handling, and player‑centric storytelling.
By establishing Maverick, these veterans aimed to create a studio that could pursue their own creative vision without the constraints often imposed by larger corporate structures. Clutch is expected to differentiate itself from existing titles by offering a truly open world where players can not only race on meticulously crafted tracks but also explore a living, breathing environment filled with dynamic weather, day‑night cycles, and a variety of side activities. The game will feature a diverse roster of vehicles ranging from hyper‑cars to off‑road trucks, each modeled with attention to detail in both visual fidelity and performance characteristics.
The developers have hinted at a narrative layer that will tie together the races, providing context and motivation for players as they progress through the world. In addition to the core racing experience, the team plans to incorporate robust multiplayer components, allowing friends to compete in real‑time events, form racing crews, and engage in seasonal championships.
This focus on community-driven content aligns with current industry trends where live services and ongoing updates extend a game’s lifespan and keep player engagement high. Overall, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a convergence of creative ambition, technical expertise, and strategic publishing support. With a release targeted for spring 2027 on the major console platforms and PC, Clutch aims to set a new benchmark for open‑world racing, offering players an expansive playground where speed, exploration, and competition intertwine.
The collaboration promises to deliver a fresh, high‑quality experience that could reshape expectations for the genre and establish a new flagship IP for both companies.