French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural racing title, Clutch, to market. The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, combining Focus’s publishing expertise with Maverick’s fresh creative vision for an open‑world racing experience. Earlier in 2024, Maverick Games had initially secured a publishing arrangement with Amazon Game Studios for the project, which at that time was still under wraps. However, Amazon chose to end the partnership earlier this year, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that better align with the company’s unique capabilities and scale.
This decision left Maverick searching for a new publishing home for its ambitious title. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, 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 statement underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a partner that not only provides financial support but also aligns with its creative goals for Clutch. Focus Entertainment’s announcement highlighted the strategic fit of the partnership.
The publisher said that bringing Clutch into 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." By adding an open‑world racing game to its slate, Focus expands beyond its traditional focus on narrative‑driven and action titles, signaling a broader ambition to cover more genres. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform launch strategy is designed to reach a wide audience of racing enthusiasts and gamers who enjoy immersive, sandbox‑style experiences. 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 comments highlight the publisher’s desire to work with developers who push the boundaries of established genres, and they position Clutch as a flagship project in that effort. Maverick’s founder and chief executive officer, Mike Brown, echoed this sentiment, adding, "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 reflect the studio’s original mission to create a racing game that blends high‑octane speed with the freedom of an open world, a concept that has been largely unexplored in mainstream racing franchises. Focus Entertainment is a French publishing house that operates as a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment.
Pullup’s corporate structure includes three core 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 broad range of development talent and resources, which can be leveraged to support Clutch’s development and marketing. Maverick Games itself was founded in 2023 by a team of former Playground Games developers.
The studio’s leadership includes Mike Brown, who previously served as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. His experience on that franchise, which is known for its seamless blend of open‑world exploration and high‑performance racing, provides a solid foundation for the design philosophy behind Clutch.
The team aims to take the lessons learned from Forza Horizon and push them further, delivering a world that feels both massive and meticulously crafted, with dynamic weather, a living ecosystem, and a deep progression system that rewards both skill and exploration. The transition from Amazon to Focus as the publishing partner also reflects broader industry trends. Large tech‑driven publishers like Amazon are increasingly focusing on cloud services, AI integration, and titles that can leverage their massive infrastructure.
Meanwhile, more traditional publishers such as Focus are doubling down on niche expertise, genre‑specific knowledge, and close collaboration with indie‑style studios. This shift benefits developers like Maverick, who seek a partner that can provide hands‑on support, marketing acumen, and a genuine enthusiasm for the genre they are pioneering. Looking ahead, Clutch promises to differentiate itself through several key features. First, the game will offer a fully realized open world that spans multiple biomes—urban cityscapes, coastal highways, mountainous passes, and desert tracks—each with its own set of challenges and visual identity.
Second, the title will incorporate a robust vehicle customization system, allowing players to modify performance parts, visual aesthetics, and even the sound profile of their cars. Third, an evolving live‑service component is planned, with seasonal events, new race types, and community‑driven challenges designed to keep the experience fresh long after launch. In addition to the core racing mechanics, the developers intend to embed a narrative layer that explores the culture of underground racing, the rise of street leagues, and the personal stories of drivers chasing fame and fortune. This narrative ambition aims to give players a deeper emotional connection to the world, similar to the storytelling approach seen in recent open‑world action games.
Marketing efforts will likely leverage both traditional channels—such as gaming conventions, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising—and innovative strategies like in‑game tie‑ins with real‑world automotive brands. By aligning the virtual vehicles with recognizable car manufacturers, Maverick hopes to attract both hardcore gamers and automotive enthusiasts.
Overall, the partnership between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment signals a promising future for Clutch. With a seasoned leadership team, a clear vision for an open‑world racing experience, and the backing of a publisher eager to expand into new territory, the game is positioned to make a notable impact when it arrives in the spring of 2027.