French publisher Focus Entertainment has entered into a publishing partnership with Maverick Games to bring the studio’s inaugural open‑world racing adventure, 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 signed a publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios for the same, at the time still‑secret project. However, Amazon announced in the spring that it would be ending the deal, citing a strategic shift toward initiatives that more directly leverage the company’s unique infrastructure, cloud capabilities, and scale.
The decision left Maverick searching for a new partner that could support the ambitious scope of their open‑world racing vision. Harinder Sangha, co‑founder and chief operating officer of Maverick Games, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the studio has been "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 ally that not only understands the technical demands of a large‑scale racing title but also aligns with the creative direction the team has charted. Focus Entertainment’s publishing division responded enthusiastically, 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 publisher sees the partnership as an opportunity to diversify its catalogue, which historically has been dominated by narrative‑driven action‑adventure games and indie‑style titles. By backing an open‑world racing game, Focus aims to capture a broader segment of the console and PC market.
Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 launch across the major current‑generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game promises an expansive, seamless world where players can explore diverse environments, compete in high‑speed events, and customize a wide range of vehicles. According to the developers, the title will blend the thrill of traditional circuit racing with the freedom of an open‑world sandbox, allowing players to discover hidden routes, engage in spontaneous challenges, and interact with a living, dynamic ecosystem. 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 highlights the respect the industry has for Maverick’s leadership, particularly founder and CEO Mike Brown, whose background includes a tenure as creative director on the acclaimed Forza Horizon series. Mike Brown added his own 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 vision that dates back to his work at Playground Games, where he helped shape the open‑world racing formula that defined the Forza Horizon franchise. After leaving Playground Games, Brown and a group of former colleagues established Maverick Games in 2023 with the explicit goal of pushing the boundaries of racing games beyond the traditional lap‑based format. Focus Entertainment itself is a subsidiary of Pullup Entertainment, a larger media group 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 titles such as the "The Surge" series; Streumon, creators of the tactical shooter "E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy"; Twelve Tenths, an indie studio focused on narrative experiences; Leikir Studio, Blackmill, Dovetail, and Carpool Studio.
This network provides a robust infrastructure for publishing, marketing, and distribution, giving Clutch access to a wide range of resources and expertise. The partnership also signals a broader trend in the industry where mid‑size publishers are increasingly willing to back ambitious, genre‑blending projects that might have been considered too risky for larger, more risk‑averse publishers. By aligning with Focus, Maverick gains not only financial backing but also strategic support in areas such as live‑ops, community management, and post‑launch content updates—critical components for sustaining an open‑world title over multiple years.
As development progresses, both companies have promised regular updates and behind‑the‑scenes looks at the game’s evolution. Fans can expect deeper insight into the world design, vehicle customization systems, and the narrative threads that will weave together the racing events. The collaboration aims to deliver a polished, immersive experience that sets a new benchmark for open‑world racing games, potentially reshaping player expectations for the genre.
In summary, the alliance between Maverick Games and Focus Entertainment marks a pivotal moment for both parties. Maverick finally secures a publishing partner after Amazon’s withdrawal, while Focus expands its portfolio into a fresh, high‑octane arena.
With a projected spring 2027 release, Clutch is poised to become a flagship title that showcases the creative synergy between a visionary developer and a supportive publisher, promising players an unprecedented open‑world racing adventure.