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, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s vision for an expansive, open‑world racing experience.
Initially, Maverick had aligned itself with Amazon Game Studios back in 2024 when the game was still under wraps. However, Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better leverage the company’s distinctive capabilities and scale. In a statement, Amazon explained that its decision was driven by a desire to concentrate on projects that align more closely with its core strengths. Following the split, Maverick co‑founder and Chief Operating Officer Harinder Sangha spoke to GamesIndustry.biz, indicating 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 comment underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing partner that not only understands but also supports the broader vision for Clutch.
Focus Entertainment welcomed the opportunity, 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 chance to diversify its catalog, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented titles, by venturing into the high‑octane world of open‑world motorsport. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. This multi‑platform launch strategy aims to capture a broad audience of racing enthusiasts across console and PC gamers alike. 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 remarks highlight the publisher’s confidence in Maverick’s leadership and creative direction. Maverick’s founder and CEO, 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 comment reflects the studio’s long‑standing aspiration to craft a racing game that offers freedom, exploration, and a living world, rather than the traditional circuit‑based formats. Focus Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger conglomerate that oversees three main divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios.
Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, Streumon, Twelve Tenths, Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio. This network provides Focus with a robust infrastructure for development support, marketing, and distribution, which should benefit Clutch’s journey from development to launch.
Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers. The studio’s leadership brings considerable experience from the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where Mike Brown previously served as creative director. That background informs the design philosophy of Clutch, which aims to blend the open‑world freedom and vibrant environments of Horizon titles with a fresh, competitive racing focus. In expanding the scope of the project, Maverick plans to incorporate a dynamic weather system, a living ecosystem of AI‑driven traffic, and a deep customization suite that allows players to modify both the aesthetics and performance of their vehicles.
The developers have hinted at a narrative layer that will weave together the world’s geography, culture, and racing events, offering players a sense of purpose beyond simply winning races. The partnership with Focus also opens doors for extensive marketing campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and potential post‑launch content expansions. Focus’s experience in publishing titles across multiple regions will help ensure that Clutch reaches a global audience, with localized support and culturally relevant content where appropriate. Overall, the collaboration between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment signals a promising future for Clutch.
By combining Maverick’s creative pedigree, rooted in the success of the Forza Horizon franchise, with Focus’s publishing muscle and strategic vision, the title is poised to become a notable entry in the open‑world racing genre when it arrives in 2027.