Maverick Games has officially unveiled its debut title, Clutch, a new open-world racing game that combines professional motorsport, underground street racing, and cinematic storytelling. The game is scheduled to launch in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The announcement has already attracted attention from racing game fans because Maverick Games was founded by Mike Brown, the former creative director behind the highly successful Forza Horizon series. Brown played a key role in shaping some of the most popular open-world racing games of the past decade. This makes Clutch one of the most closely watched new racing projects in development.
Unlike many modern racing games that focus primarily on events and progression systems, Clutch puts a strong emphasis on narrative.
The game follows sibling racing prodigies competing in the R1K, a prestigious racing series that has served as a proving ground for elite drivers for over 100 years. However, the story goes beyond professional racing.
Players will also become involved with the Midnight Collective, an underground racing group that thrives on speed, style, and high-risk pursuits. As the story unfolds, players will uncover secrets hidden beneath the glamorous image of the R1K championship.
Maverick Games describes the experience as a blend of professional circuit racing and underground race-and-chase action, creating a world where legal and illegal racing cultures collide.
One of the most interesting details revealed so far is Clutch’s PvPvE structure. According to the developers, players will compete for reputation, rewards, and position while dealing with rival crews, shifting alliances, and escalating pursuits in a shared open world.
The game will feature both handcrafted story missions and dynamic events that appear throughout the world. Maverick says these activities are designed to encourage creativity rather than simply following a traditional race format.
While details remain limited, the PvPvE approach suggests players may need to balance racing against other drivers while also dealing with AI-controlled threats and objectives.
Car customization will be a major part of the experience. Maverick Games says players will be able to personalize vehicles far beyond paint jobs and aftermarket upgrades. The studio wants cars to feel like personal creations that reflect a driver’s identity and style.
The game’s vehicle progression system will reward both creative customization and racing performance. Players can create unique builds and modify numerous aspects of their vehicles to stand out in the open world.
This focus on personalization feels similar to what made games like Need for Speed Underground and Forza Horizon popular among car enthusiasts.
Clutch is powered by Maverick’s proprietary physics engine. Although technical details have not been shared yet, the studio says the technology is designed to support its vision of next-generation open-world driving. Considering the team’s experience with Forza Horizon, many fans will be eager to see how the handling model compares with other major racing franchises.
Maverick Games has confirmed that a deeper presentation will take place during Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2026. The showcase is expected to reveal more about the game’s world, characters, story, and cast. It should also provide the first substantial look at gameplay.
