French publisher Focus Entertainment has announced a new partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant shift for Maverick, which had originally entered into a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, as‑yet‑unnamed project earlier in 2024.
Amazon chose to dissolve the agreement earlier this year, stating that it wanted to concentrate on initiatives that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale. According to Maverick co‑founder and chief operating officer Harinder Sangha, 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 sentiment underscores Maverick’s determination to find a publishing home that not only supports the development of Clutch but also resonates with the studio’s broader vision for an open‑world racing experience that pushes genre boundaries. Focus Entertainment’s publishing arm echoed this enthusiasm, noting 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 French company sees the partnership as an opportunity to diversify its catalogue, which has traditionally focused on narrative‑driven and action‑oriented titles, by venturing into the expansive and technically demanding realm of open‑world motorsport games. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, positioning it to reach a broad audience across the major current‑generation platforms.
The game promises an immersive, sandbox‑style environment where players can explore a richly detailed world, customize vehicles, and compete in a variety of race formats ranging from street sprints to off‑road endurance challenges. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, explained the strategic fit: "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 its track record of delivering high‑quality racing experiences. Maverick founder and chief executive officer Mike Brown added his perspective, stating: "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 a long‑standing passion for the genre; before founding Maverick, he served as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, where he helped shape some of the most beloved open‑world racing experiences to date. The partnership also brings additional credibility through Focus Entertainment’s broader corporate structure. Focus is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a French media conglomerate that operates three core divisions: Focus Entertainment Publishing, the Arcade Crew, and a collection of development studios. Among the studios under Pullup’s umbrella are Deck13, known for narrative‑driven action games; Streumon, which specializes in tactical shooters; Twelve Tenths, an indie studio with a focus on innovative gameplay mechanics; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio, each contributing diverse expertise across genres.
By leveraging Pullup’s extensive resources and the publishing experience of Focus, Maverick hopes to secure the marketing muscle, distribution networks, and financial backing necessary to bring a technically ambitious title like Clutch to fruition. Open‑world racing games demand substantial investment in world‑building, vehicle physics, and live‑service infrastructure, all areas where a well‑established publisher can make a decisive difference. The development team at Maverick consists largely of former Playground Games veterans who founded the studio in 2023. Playground Games is best known for the Forza Horizon franchise, which set a high bar for open‑world racing with its vibrant environments, dynamic weather systems, and deep car customization options.
This pedigree suggests that Clutch will inherit a similar level of polish and attention to detail, while also introducing fresh concepts that differentiate it from existing titles. In addition to the core racing loops, the developers have hinted at a robust progression system, social multiplayer features, and a living world that evolves over time. Players can expect seasonal events, dynamic traffic, and a variety of side activities such as stunt challenges, vehicle showcases, and community‑driven competitions. The goal, according to the team, is to create a persistent universe where every decision—whether it’s a route choice, a vehicle upgrade, or a participation in a community race—feels meaningful and contributes to an overarching sense of progression.
While the exact narrative framework of Clutch remains under wraps, early teasers suggest a storyline that intertwines the competitive spirit of street racing with a broader exploration of a fictional metropolis that blends futuristic design with gritty realism. The world is expected to feature diverse districts, each with its own cultural flavor, visual aesthetic, and racing specialties, encouraging players to master different terrains and driving styles. The partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative vision and publishing capability. With Amazon stepping back, Maverick has found a partner that not only believes in the project's potential but also possesses the infrastructure to support its ambitious scope.
As the spring 2027 release window approaches, both companies have pledged to keep the community informed with regular updates, developer diaries, and gameplay showcases. In summary, Clutch is poised to become a landmark entry in the open‑world racing genre, backed by a seasoned development team and a publisher with a clear commitment to nurturing innovative IPs.
The collaboration aims to deliver a game that blends the thrill of high‑speed competition with the freedom of an expansive, living world, promising players a fresh and exhilarating racing experience when it finally hits the shelves.