Clutch has secured Focus Entertainment as its publisher, giving Maverick Games’ PS5 open-world racer a new publishing partner after its arrangement with Amazon Games ended earlier in 2026. The game is currently scheduled to launch in Spring 2027, although no more specific date has been announced.
Maverick Games officially revealed the new IP in 2026. The studio includes former Forza Horizon developers, with founder and CEO Mike Brown leading the project. Brown, who was previously a creative director on Forza Horizon, said Maverick Games was founded to create the open-world racing experience its team had wanted to make for years.
Focus deputy CEO Vincent Chataignier said the publisher sees Brown and his team as important creative voices in the racing genre. Brown has also described Focus as a partner that shares Maverick Games’ creative standards and ambition.
Clutch heads to the French Riviera
The game follows a brother-and-sister pair competing in the R1K, a prestigious and historic racing series. Their professional careers are set against a dangerous underground racing scene, putting polished motorsports and a more rebellious car culture on the same road.
That second side of the story connects with the Midnight Collective, a group of car fans more interested in the joy of driving than the money and fame attached to the R1K. Their presence gives Clutch a family rivalry and a wider clash between competitive racing and loving cars for their own sake.
Clutch‘s open world is based on the French Riviera and includes licensed vehicles. Some cars can also carry unusual gadgets, including grapple hooks. That idea has already divided racing fans, especially those expecting a more traditional driving experience.
Maverick Games’ new publishing agreement arrives as the studio keeps Clutch on course for its Spring 2027 release window. Members of the press played the racer during Summer Game Fest, but a more specific launch date has not been provided.
Amazon Games has moved away from several projects
The publishing change comes as Amazon Games reduces the size of its games operation. The company has ended most of its MMO projects, including New World, which is scheduled to shut down in 2027. Amazon has also announced the closure of King of Meat and sold the MOBA March of Giants to Ubisoft.
Focus Entertainment’s involvement gives Maverick Games a publisher for the project that shares its creative goals, while Focus has described Clutch as the kind of genre-focused game it wants to support.
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