Maverick Games Unveils Clutch, a Narrative-Driven Racer from Ex-Forza Horizon Veterans

Maverick Games, an independent studio founded by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown, has officially pulled back the curtain on its debut project: Clutch. Described as a cinematic open-world action-driving game, the title aims to blend the glossy world of a professional racing series with the gritty chaos of an illegal street-racing scene, all set against the sun-soaked backdrop of the French Riviera .

Built on a custom version of Unreal Engine 5 and in development for three and a half years, Clutch is positioned as a narrative-first experience that goes beyond traditional racing sims . According to Brown, the game is "about the love of driving, about the connection between car and driver, and the raw thrill of speed" .

The Story: Sibling Rivalry Meets a Criminal Underworld

The narrative is the product of Scottish writer Jamie Brittain, best known as the co-creator of the iconic British TV series Skins . The story centers on a pair of sibling racing prodigies competing in the R1K, a historic 100-year-old pro-circuit championship that serves as the proving ground for the world’s elite drivers .

While the R1K represents prestige and high-speed glory, the siblings quickly find themselves entangled with the Midnight Collective, an underground group of drivers motivated purely by style, reputation, and a raw need for speed . When the hero gets into trouble and requires a fixer, the gleaming surface of the R1K is ripped away to expose a seedy underbelly of organized crime, dangerous alliances, and late-night street racing .

Gameplay: A Living PvPvE Sandbox with High-Stakes Action

Clutch doesn't just want players to cross the finish line first; it wants to immerse them in a PvPvE (player-versus-player-versus-environment) world where competition, reputation, and survival are intertwined . Players will navigate shifting alliances and rival crews while mixing hand-crafted missions with spontaneous chaos .

Key gameplay features showcased or described include:

• Police Pursuits: The reveal footage leans heavily into the chase-and-escape fantasy, with intense cop chases forming a core pillar of the underground gameplay .
• Heists and Illicit Activities: While not the sole headline of the official press release, multiple reports confirm that Clutch integrates criminal activities like bank heists into its sandbox, moving the genre closer to an action-movie feel .
• Gadgets: A grappling hook gadget was shown in the reveal, demonstrated by a Nissan Skyline GT-R using it to whip around a lamppost for a tight turn—suggesting a playful, physics-driven toolset for drivers .
• Deep Customization: Personalization goes far beyond paint and performance parts. The game features interior detailing down to dashboard decorations, coffee cups in cupholders, and hoodies on passenger seats, with older cars showing authentic wear and tear .
• Diverse Vehicle Roster: A licensed lineup of cars from Porsche, Aston Martin, BMW, Nissan, Subaru, Alfa Romeo, Renault, Land Rover, and Lotus has been confirmed .

Studio Background: Independence After an Amazon Split

Maverick Games was founded in 2022 in Leamington Spa, England—the same town as Playground Games—by Mike Brown, the former creative director of Forza Horizon 5 . The studio is staffed by veterans of the Forza Horizon and Codemasters series, including producer Tom Butcher and technical director Matt Craven .

Initially, the studio's project was backed by a major player. In May 2024, Amazon Games announced a publishing agreement for the title, touting it as a AAA narrative-led experience . However, in February 2026, Amazon terminated the agreement as part of a strategic shift to focus on projects leveraging its unique strengths, such as the Luna cloud gaming service and its Tomb Raider franchise partnership with Crystal Dynamics .

Despite what could have been a major setback, Maverick Games continued development independently. Only a few months later, the studio confidently revealed Clutch under its own banner, proving the project was far from dead .

What's Next: The Full Reveal

The tease is just the beginning. Maverick Games has confirmed that a full world-premiere gameplay trailer, along with deep dives into the story, cast, and game world, will be shown at the Summer Game Fest Showcase on June 5, 2026 .

Clutch is scheduled to launch in Spring 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC .