Maverick Games
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Here are the first finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK
The finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK have been announced, recognizing excellence in workplace culture and specific areas like CSR, Diversity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, and Training & Development. NaturalMotion Games leads with five special award nominations, followed by Rocksteady Studios, Jagex, Playground Games, and Rare. The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in London on October 1, 2026, following the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
Clutch Studio Encountered “Actually Offensive” Offers When Hunting For New Publisher
Maverick Games, the developer of the narrative racing game Clutch, has faced challenges finding a new publisher after Amazon Games dropped the title. COO Harinder Sangha stated that some publishers presented "offensive" and lopsided deals, attempting to take advantage of the independent studio. The game is set to release in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026: Every Announcement and Game Revealed | Invision Game Community
The Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026 featured over 40 game announcements, including world premieres and new gameplay. The showcase highlighted a diverse range of titles across genres like RPGs, shooters, and strategy games, with many set for 2026 and 2027 releases on PC and consoles. Notable reveals included new entries in established franchises and unique indie projects.
Open-World Racer Clutch Shown Off In New Developer Diary
A new developer diary for Maverick Games' upcoming open-world racer, Clutch, was showcased at the Future Games Showcase. The game features a narrative-driven story where race outcomes matter, unique car handling, and a recreation of Monaco and the French Riviera.
Here's how to watch the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026
The Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026 will air on August 26, featuring over 40 games with 13 world premieres. The showcase will include behind-the-scenes looks at Tides of Annihilation and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a new trailer for Trees Hate You, and a developer diary for Maverick Games' Clutch. It will be streamed internationally on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Steam, with additional coverage on GamesRadar+ and other social media.
Game Developer Association of India picks 15 studios for first Supernova cohort
The Game Developer Association of India has selected 15 studios for its Supernova incubation program, which offers mentorship and industry connections. Separately, Focus Entertainment has partnered with Maverick Games to publish the upcoming open-world racing title Clutch, set for a Spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Maverick Games partners with Focus Entertainment to publish debut racing title Clutch
Maverick Games has partnered with Focus Entertainment to publish its debut open-world racing title, Clutch, set for a Spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This deal follows Maverick's earlier publishing agreement with Amazon Game Studios, which was terminated earlier this year. Focus Entertainment aims to establish Clutch as a major new racing IP.
Clutch Picks Up a Publisher as Maverick Games Partners with Focus Entertainment
Focus Entertainment has announced a major publishing partnership with independent racing studio Maverick Games for its upcoming project, Clutch. This deal comes after Amazon withdrew its backing earlier this year, securing a publisher for the new racing title.
Maverick Games’ Clutch to be Published by Focus Entertainment
Maverick Games has partnered with Focus Entertainment for the publishing of its upcoming narrative-driven, open-world racer, Clutch. The game, which features intense cinematic chases and arcade racing, is slated for a Spring 2027 release and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. An announcement trailer was released, and the game is expected to be showcased at the Future Games Show at Gamescom.
Clutch secures publishing deal with Focus Entertainment
Focus Entertainment has announced a publishing deal with Maverick Games for their upcoming open-world racing game, Clutch. Led by Mike Brown, former director of Forza Horizon 5, the game is slated for release early next year and will feature a story-driven campaign.
15 Massive Gamescom 2026 Announcements That Could Steal the Show
Gamescom 2026 is set to feature major announcements from various publishers and developers, including Xbox, Nintendo, and Bandai Namco. Anticipated reveals include potential updates for Final Fantasy 7 Remake, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077, Metro 2039, and a rumored Xbox sequel.
Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says Xbox Game Pass Was “A Good Idea”
Former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept that ultimately failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers needed to sustain its business model. He expressed sadness over the potential studio closures and job losses resulting from this outcome. Brown also defended Xbox employees amidst criticism and recent layoffs, emphasizing that the core idea of Game Pass was player-focused, though it did not reach the scale required to justify major acquisitions like Activision Blizzard.
Xbox Game Pass isn’t "viable" with so few subscribers, says former Forza lead bracing for more…
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass is not viable due to insufficient subscriber numbers, leading to recent studio layoffs. He believes the service's player-focused concept, while well-intentioned, has not met the necessary financial targets. Journalist Jason Schreier also noted that some Xbox studio leadership detest Game Pass, viewing it as detrimental to game value and the industry.
Xbox Game Pass was a good idea in theory, former Forza Horizon 5 director says, but "the reality is not enough people have subscribed"
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept but failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers at necessary price points, leading to studio closures and layoffs. He noted that while the service was player-focused and funded many games and studios, the financial reality did not align with Microsoft's ambitious expectations. Brown also expressed admiration for former Xbox leaders Sarah Bond and Asha Sharma.
Clutch doesn't look like just a Forza Horizon clone, judging by its first lengthy livestream, though I'm concerned it might spread itself too thin
Clutch, the debut racer from Maverick Games, aims to blend multiple driving game styles, including elements from Forza Horizon, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, and Grid. The game features exotic locales, car collection, tech-laden heists, and track-oriented racing, all presented with a narrative driven by sibling protagonists. While ambitious, there's concern that Clutch might spread itself too thin by trying to emulate too many different types of racing games.
Clutch Gameplay Deep-Dive Stream Announced for June 25th, Delves Into the R1K and Heists
Maverick Games has announced a gameplay deep-dive stream for its open-world racing title, Clutch, scheduled for June 25th. Creative director Mike Brown and art director Ben Penrose will showcase the narrative, the R1K pro circuit, and heist gameplay. Clutch is set to launch in Spring 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
I was big into Clutch's mix of story and racing styles, but the driving's a lot simmier than I expected
Clutch, an upcoming cinematic open-world action-driving game from Maverick Games, aims to blend professional and underground street racing with a strong narrative focus. While the game features detailed licensed cars and recreations of European cities, its driving mechanics lean towards simulation, similar to Forza Horizon, which may not appeal to players seeking a more arcade-style experience. The developers are investing heavily in mocapped actors and cutscenes to make players care about the characters and their stories, a departure from the more bland dialogue found in some other racing titles.
Clutch Blends Both Forza Horizon And Motorsport With A Dash Of Fast & Furious
Clutch, developed by Maverick Games, a studio founded by former Playground Games developers, blends track and street racing elements reminiscent of both Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport. The game features a narrative involving siblings competing in the R1K tournament along the French Riviera, getting entangled in the racing scene's underbelly. Clutch is set for release in 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Clutch preview: A stylish open-world racing game that is trying to do too much too quickly
Clutch, an open-world racing game from Maverick Games, formerly of Playground Games, aims to blend circuit racing with cinematic storytelling set in the French Riviera. Built on a modified Unreal Engine 5, the game features a 'SimCade' driving model and draws inspiration from Need for Speed and Forza Horizon. Despite a promising presentation, concerns exist that the game may be trying to incorporate too many disparate elements, including on-rails missions, a harpoon gadget, and an overly online-focused live-stream racing mechanic. Clutch is slated for a Spring 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Clutch is a Forza Horizon-style open-world adventure with a GTA-like story
Clutch is a new open-world racing game from Maverick Games, founded by former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown. The game combines the driving mechanics of the Forza Horizon series with a GTA-like story involving adopted siblings, underground street racing, and heists. Clutch is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and is slated for a Spring 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
