Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Maverick Games, founded by Mike Brown (former creative director of Forza Horizon 5), is developing an open-world driving game called Clutch. The game emphasizes narrative and cinematic storytelling, with a focus on rivalries, ambitions, and conflicts within the world of illegal street racing, set in a French Riviera-inspired open world.
- Clutch will feature extensive customization options for players, including modifications to vehicles, interiors, and even the addition of external shut-off switches and air fresheners. Performance modifications are still under wraps but may include unique features like grappling hooks for cornering.
- Clutch will be released in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The games development is being independently managed by Maverick Games after parting ways with initial distributor Amazon Games.
- Jamie Brittain, a writer known for his work on British television, is contributing to the project. Further details regarding Clutchs story, characters, and open world will be shared during Summer Game Fest on June 5th.
Recommended products
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Maverick Games, founded in 2022 by Mike Brown, former creative director of Forza Horizon 5, has officially unveiled its inaugural project, Clutch. The studio comprises veteran professionals responsible for acclaimed racing titles over the past decade, including the Forza Horizon series. Maverick Games aims to redefine the genre with a new approach that extends beyond traditional racing experiences. Clutch is an AAA open-world driving game emphasizing narrative and cinematic storytelling, blending street racing, exploration, and character-driven plots. The game is set in a sprawling open world inspired by the French Riviera, featuring a luxurious environment with coastal roads, sophisticated cities, and rural landscapes. This setting will host a narrative campaign focused on rivalries, ambitions, and conflicts within the world of illegal street racing.
The studio highlights that Clutch will not solely concentrate on automotive events; the story will be a central element. It will feature recurring characters, player-driven narrative decisions, and cinematic sequences crafted by a team specializing in television scripts and entertainment. The narrative revolves around two sibling racing prodigies competing in the R1K series. Meanwhile, a secret crew known as the Midnight Collective prefers to test their skills on city streets. The protagonist will require assistance, and will likely need to rely on his Midnight Collective associates for help. Jamie Brittain, a writer known for his work on British television, is contributing to the project. An official video for Clutch was released on June 2, 2026, featuring the two sibling protagonists pursuing their dream of winning the R1K racing series. This reveal was anticipated since 2024, when Maverick Games initially described the project as a narrative-driven, open-world driving game, eschewing a simple racing classification. The studio’s goal is to merge the open-world freedom popularized by titles like Forza Horizon with the structured narrative of cinematic productions.
Independent Development of Open-World Racing Game Clutch Advances, Unveiling Customization and Physics Innovations for Spring 2027 Release
Initially, Amazon Games was slated to distribute Clutch, but this partnership concluded in early 2026, enabling Maverick Games to independently manage the final stages of development. Clutch is scheduled for release in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Clutch will offer extensive customization options, allowing players to modify vehicles with factory options, custom rims, exhaust tips, underbody lighting, hood latch pins, tow hooks, racing-style switches, and even external shut-off switches. Interior customization includes changing steering wheels, seats, air fresheners, dashboard accessories like plushies or parking receipts, and selecting a beverage for the cup holder. While performance modifications are still under wraps, they may extend beyond simple horsepower adjustments; one shown car utilized a grappling hook for cornering. The driving dynamics in Clutch will be powered by an in-house physics engine developed by Maverick Games. Maverick Games will share further details regarding Clutch’s story, characters, and open world during Summer Game Fest on June 5th.
In Case You Missed It
“Dive into two fantastic gaming news updates from Ahmed Hassan on Players For Life – first, catch his June 2nd post, ‘Clutch: A Forza Horizon Killer by Former Playground Games Developers, First Video’, where he gives us a sneak peek at Maverick Games’ debut project promising cinematic storytelling and unparalleled vehicle customization options Clutch: A Forza Horizon Killer by Former Playground Games Developers, First Video. Then, explore Ahmed’s December 13th article from last year, ‘Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics Unveil Two New Tomb Raider Adventures at The Game Awards’, where he reveals two exciting new installments in the franchise set to release in 2027: ‘Tomb Raider: Catalyst’ with its innovative use of Unreal Engine 5, and ‘Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis’, a modern retelling brimming with stunning visuals and fresh surprises Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics Unveil Two New Tomb Raider Adventures at The Game Awards.”