Focus Entertainment Publishing Deal for Maverick’s Clutch

A new editorial publishing agreement has been secured for Clutch, the open-world driving game from Maverick Games led by Mike Brown, the creative director behind Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5. The deal brings the title under Focus Entertainment’s umbrella, ending its prior publishing plans with Amazon Games.

Quick facts

Clutch is Maverick Games’ first project, led by Mike Brown.
Focus Entertainment has signed an editorial publishing agreement for the game.
Earlier plans had the game published by Amazon Games, but that partnership ended months ago.
Clutch follows two driving brothers competing in the R1K racing series.
The game is planned for spring 2027, though the exact release date is not confirmed.
Mike Brown said the team founded Maverick Games to build the open-world driving experience they imagined for years.

Clutch is being positioned as an open-world, cinematic driving experience. In the story, two brothers take part in prestigious, historical races known as R1K, with the game’s narrative framed around family, legacy, and betrayal.

Maverick Games had previously been tied to Amazon Games for publication, but the two sides “separated” months ago after the title was initially slated to be published through Amazon. The new editorial agreement places Clutch alongside other recently published works including Space Marine 2, Resonance A Plague Tale: Legacy, and John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando.

Mike Brown also commented on the partnership, saying Maverick Games was founded to create the open-world driving experience the team had dreamed about for years. He added that Focus shares Maverick’s creative level and ambition for Clutch, and expressed excitement for players worldwide to discover the game’s world.

Release window and game focus

Clutch was first revealed before State of Play during “No-E3 2026,” with additional visibility coming through at Summer Game Fest. At this point, the planned launch is spring 2027, but the precise date remains unknown.

Beyond racing, the game is described as featuring social events that evolve within its open world, plus dramatic chases and escapes designed so that no pursuit plays out the same way twice. It will also include “ClutchTech” experimental modifications, and players are expected to use them to build and personalize vehicles based on both performance and personal style.

As the release window approaches, the key question for players will be whether Focus Entertainment can deliver the editorial support Clutch needs when it launches in 2027.