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: it gives Focus its first foray into the open‑world racing genre, while providing Maverick with a seasoned publishing partner after an earlier arrangement fell through. In early 2024, Maverick Games had originally secured a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the as‑yet‑unnamed racing title.
However, Amazon chose to end that partnership 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 ally that could support the ambitious vision behind the game.
Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that 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 statement underscores Maverick’s commitment to finding a publishing partner whose goals align with the creative direction of Clutch, and it signals that negotiations with Focus have moved beyond preliminary talks. Focus Entertainment’s own statements reinforce the strategic fit. 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." In other words, Focus sees the title not just as another game, but as a potential flagship franchise that could diversify its offerings and attract a broader audience of racing enthusiasts. The game is slated for release in the spring of 2027 and will be available on the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
This multi‑platform launch strategy aims to maximize reach and ensure that players across the console and PC ecosystems can experience the open‑world racing environment that Maverick has been building. Vincent Chataignier, deputy CEO of Focus Entertainment Publishing, elaborated on the partnership’s philosophy: "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 a mutual respect for the creative pedigree of Maverick’s leadership, particularly Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series.
Mike Brown, founder and chief executive officer of Maverick Games, 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 long‑standing vision that motivated the studio’s formation in 2023, when a group of former Playground Games developers came together to create a company focused on pushing the boundaries of racing gameplay.
Focus Entertainment itself is a French publishing house that operates under the umbrella of Pullup Entertainment. Pullup’s 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 ecosystem gives Focus access to a wide range of development talent and resources, which can be leveraged to support ambitious projects like Clutch.
The partnership between Maverick and Focus is expected to bring several concrete benefits to the development of Clutch. First, Focus’s publishing experience, particularly in navigating the complexities of multi‑platform releases, will help ensure that the game reaches its intended audiences on schedule.
Second, the financial backing and marketing expertise of a larger publisher can amplify the game’s visibility, allowing it to compete with established racing franchises. Third, the synergy between Maverick’s creative team—led by industry veterans with a track record on Forza Horizon—and Focus’s distribution network could result in a polished, content‑rich product that sets new standards for open‑world racing. Looking ahead, both companies anticipate that Clutch will not only be a standalone title but also the foundation for a broader IP. By establishing a rich, living world where players can explore, compete, and customize their racing experiences, Maverick hopes to create a lasting franchise that can expand through downloadable content, expansions, and possibly even spin‑off titles.
Focus’s commitment to championing innovative creators aligns with this vision, suggesting that the publisher will continue to support the IP’s growth beyond the initial launch. In summary, the new publishing deal between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment represents a strategic alignment of creative ambition and publishing capability.
After Amazon Game Studios stepped away from the project, Maverick found a partner that not only understands the unique challenges of open‑world racing but also shares a desire to push the genre forward. With a spring 2027 release window and support across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Clutch is poised to become a noteworthy entry in the racing landscape, potentially establishing a fresh franchise for both developers and players alike.