The new Clutch Logo. Images: Maverick Games
After a lot of speculation, cryptic screenshots and strange Fiat Multipla livestreams, Maverick Gams has revealed their brand-new open-world racing title, Clutch! Based on a combination of circuit and street racing with deep, accurate car customisation, Clutch already has a lot of fans very excited!
Clutch is the debut project from Maverick Games, the independent developer founded by former Forza Horizon Creative Director Mike Brown. The game is a cinematic open-world driving game that aims to blend professional motorsport, underground street racing and high-speed pursuits into a single narrative-driven experience. What the term 'Cinematic' means exactly in this context has yet to be revealed, but so far it appears that the story, characters, and cutscenes are very important to Clutch.
Set to launch in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. While details remain relatively limited for now, Maverick describes the game as a story-focused open-world experience centred on both sanctioned-circuit racing and an underground racing scene known as the Midnight Collective.
The Story Mode So Far
At the heart of Clutch is a story centred on sibling racing prodigies competing in the R1K, a prestigious racing series that has supposedly served as the proving ground for the world's best drivers for a century.
Away from the spotlight, however, lies the Midnight Collective, a group of racers more interested in style, speed and reputation than championship trophies. According to Maverick, the game's narrative sees these two worlds collide when the protagonist becomes entangled in the darker side of the racing scene.
Sweeping mountain roads in the south of France often feature picturesque tunnels that can yield fantastic screenshots for players.
It is an ambitious setup that sounds like a mix of a traditional motorsport drama, a street-racing fantasy, and a Hollywood action film. Whether that means Clutch ends up feeling more like Forza Horizon, Need for Speed, or something entirely different remains to be seen.
A Living World With PvPvE Gameplay
One of the more intriguing details is Maverick's description of Clutch, which outlines how the open world is designed around a PvPvE setup. Could this mean the game is always online, as so many titles seem to be in 2026? Time will tell, but this style of racing games always benefits from great AI racing as much as solid multiplayer modes.
Players will reportedly compete for rewards, reputation, and position while dealing with rival crews, shifting alliances, and escalating pursuits across a shared world. The studio promises a mixture of handcrafted events and spontaneous encounters designed to create unscripted moments and player-driven stories. How that will work is very much still behind the curtain for now.
Old school livery on the BMW E46 M3 GTR chasing down a Nissan R34 GTR, with underglow to match.
That could mean anything from dramatic escapes and rival ambushes to the kind of accidental pile-ups that occur whenever a group of racing game players collectively decide braking is optional.
Customisation Goes Beyond Performance
Vehicle customisation is also expected to play a major role in the experience, take notes Forza...
According to Maverick, Clutch features a deep personalisation system built around both performance and cosmetic upgrades. Players will be able to create unique vehicles through a combination of visual modifications, mechanical and aero parts, and smaller ownership-focused details, allowing them to build true one-of-one cars.
Perhaps a first look at the cinematic side of the title, with two characters leaning on their Porsche GT3 Cabriolet, shown in the previous screenshot, reveals. Could this be the main protagonist's car of choice?
The studio says creativity will be rewarded just as much as finishing position, suggesting style and how your car looks may be as important as making it over the finish line first
First Big Reveal
While the announcement provides a broad outline of what players can expect, a proper gameplay reveal is very much in the pipeline. The game is still a year away from its projected release window, so what is shown is, of course, very much a work in progress.
Maverick Games has confirmed that the first look at Clutch's story, world, cast and gameplay will be shown during the Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5.
Another look at the 911 992 gen Speedster in motion, this time
The bigger question now is whether Clutch can deliver the same genre-defining impact that many of its developers achieved during their time with Forza Horizon. For now, we can pick apart the YouTube trailer linked above and get excited for the big reveal on June 5th at the Summer Game Fest!
What do you think about Maverick Games' Clutch? Is it a title you see yourself investing your excitement and time into over the course of the next year? Let us know in the comments down below!
