Clutch Finds New Publisher Ahead of Its 2027 Racing Game Release

Image via Maverick Games

Maverick Games has secured a new publishing partner for Clutch, its upcoming open-world racing game led by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown.

Focus Entertainment has announced an important publishing partnership with the independent studio, giving Clutch a new home after Maverick Games and Amazon canceled their publishing agreement earlier this year.

Focus Entertainment's Deputy CEO, Vincent Chataignier, said the company got attracted to the team's experience and creative direction.

“Mike Brown and his team are regarded as one of the defining creative voices in the racing genre,” Chataignier said. “Clutch embodies exactly the creative ambition Focus Entertainment wants to champion."

Brown also welcomed the agreement, stating that the studio now has a partner who shares its vision.

“We founded Maverick Games to build the open-world racing experience we’d dreamed about for years,” Brown said. “Focus shares our creative bar and our ambition for Clutch, and we can’t wait for players everywhere to discover this world.”

The game follows two racing siblings as they compete in the prestigious R1K series and become involved with the Midnight Collective, an underground community of car enthusiasts.

Image via Maverick Games

Clutch allows players to compete in professional events during the day and underground street races at night, where police chases and reputation are part of the action. The game will also allow players to customize their cars in a variety of ways, and the story will be written by Jamie Brittain, the co-creator of Skins.

The game is scheduled to launch in spring 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.