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 the first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while for Maverick it secures a seasoned publishing partner after an earlier arrangement fell through.
In early 2024 Maverick Games had originally struck a deal with Amazon Game Studios to develop the as‑yet‑unnamed racing title. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement 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 home for its ambitious project. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained that the studio is now engaged in "active dialogue with partners who share our long‑term ambition for the IP and look forward to sharing more later this year." This indicates that Maverick is not only focused on finding a publisher but also on aligning with a partner whose vision matches the creative direction of Clutch.
Focus Entertainment’s publishing division welcomed the opportunity, stating that adding Clutch to its slate 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 catalogue, which has historically centered on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented games, and to tap into the lucrative market for expansive, player‑driven racing experiences. Clutch is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game promises an open‑world environment that blends high‑octane street racing with a persistent, living world that reacts to player choices. According to the developers, the title will feature a dynamic weather system, a day‑night cycle, and a robust progression system that rewards both skillful driving and exploration.
Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership, 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 its belief that the studio can deliver a game that stands out in a crowded market. Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, 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 statement reflects the long‑standing vision that motivated the studio’s inception: to create a racing game that goes beyond traditional circuit‑based competition and offers a sandbox‑style playground for car enthusiasts. The background of both companies adds further context to the partnership. Focus Entertainment is a French publishing house that operates 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 network provides Focus with a broad range of development talent and resources, which can be leveraged to support Clutch’s ambitious scope. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers.
The studio’s leadership includes veterans who have worked on the highly acclaimed Forza Horizon series; Mike Brown served as creative director on several Forza Horizon installments before launching Maverick. This pedigree gives the team a deep understanding of what makes an open‑world racing game compelling, from seamless world traversal to the integration of diverse vehicle customization options. The transition from Amazon to Focus also highlights a broader industry trend where developers seek publishing partners that can offer more than just financial backing. While Amazon’s decision was framed around focusing on projects aligned with its own strategic strengths, Maverick’s alignment with Focus appears to be driven by a shared creative vision and a commitment to nurturing a new IP from concept to launch.
This synergy is expected to facilitate smoother development milestones, marketing coordination, and post‑launch support. Looking ahead, the development roadmap for Clutch includes several milestones.
An early‑access demo is planned for late 2025, intended to gather community feedback on core gameplay mechanics and world design. Following that, a closed beta in early 2026 will test multiplayer stability and performance across the target platforms. The final polish phase, scheduled for mid‑2026, will focus on refining the visual fidelity, sound design, and integrating user‑generated content tools that the studio hopes to roll out post‑launch.
In summary, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment signals a promising future for Clutch, a title that aspires to redefine the open‑world racing genre. With a seasoned publishing partner, a development team boasting Forza Horizon pedigree, and a clear release timetable aiming for spring 2027, the game is positioned to attract both racing aficionados and gamers seeking expansive, immersive experiences.
The collaboration underscores the importance of aligning creative ambition with publishing expertise, setting the stage for what could become a landmark entry in the racing game landscape.