Maverick Games Announces Open-World Racing Game CLUTCH
CLUTCH is the first public title from a studio founded by key Forza Horizon talent after its publishing deal with Amazon fell apart, making its reveal a test of whether the team can deliver on its promises of unprecedented vehicle detail and narrative depth without a major publisher.
Key Facts
- Maverick Games, founded by former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, announced its debut open-world racing game CLUTCH on June 2, 2026.
- CLUTCH is set in a world centered on the 100-year-old R1K racing series and a contrasting underground scene called the Midnight Collective.
- The game uses a custom version of Unreal Engine 5 and emphasizes extreme vehicle detail, including paint specks, interior stitching, tire wear, and customizable cabin clutter.
- CLUTCH features cars from real manufacturers including Porsche, BMW, and Land Rover.
- Maverick Games' original publishing deal with Amazon Game Studios, signed in 2024, was terminated in February 2026 due to Amazon's strategic shift, but development continued as planned.
Reporting from 4 sources: 4Gamer.net, Automaton, Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.
Maverick Games, the UK studio founded by former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, announced its new open-world racing game CLUTCH on June 2, 2026, with a trailer. The game is set in a world centered on the historic R1K racing series, which has run for over 100 years, and a contrasting underground scene called the Midnight Collective, where drivers race for passion rather than profit. The story follows a pair of genius sibling racers who uncover a hidden underworld behind R1K. CLUTCH uses a custom version of Unreal Engine 5 and emphasizes extreme vehicle detail, including paint specks, interior stitching, tire wear, and customizable cabin clutter such as coffee cups, receipts, and clothing. The game features cars from real manufacturers including Porsche, BMW, and Land Rover. Supported platforms and release date have not been announced. Maverick Games originally signed a publishing deal with Amazon Game Studios in 2024, but that partnership was terminated in February 2026 due to Amazon's strategic shift. The developer stated development continued as planned. Further details, including a more detailed trailer and cast information, are scheduled for Summer Game Fest on June 6.
Maverick Games, a UK studio founded in 2023 by Mike Brown, who served as creative director on Forza Horizon 5 and worked on Forza Horizon 4 and earlier titles, revealed its debut game CLUTCH on June 2. The announcement trailer shows two racing worlds: the commercial R1K series, described as a 100-year-old competition, and the Midnight Collective, a group of drivers who race at night for the love of cars. The story begins when the protagonist encounters trouble that leads them into the hidden side of R1K, with the trailer also showing a police car chase and a Tech Mod that allows drifting by shooting a wire to a pole.
The game runs on a custom version of Unreal Engine 5, and Brown said the development period is the longest of his career. Vehicle models include both new and classic cars from Porsche, BMW, and Land Rover, with detail extending to interior stitching, paint specks, and tire wear. Customization goes beyond parts and seats to small items like coffee cups in drink holders, receipts on the dashboard, and a hoodie on the passenger seat. The game was originally set to be published by Amazon Game Studios under a 2024 agreement, but that contract was terminated in February 2026 due to Amazon's gaming business restructuring. Maverick Games stated development continued as planned. Platforms listed in one source include PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, though the developer has not confirmed them. More information, including a trailer with cast details, is expected at Summer Game Fest on June 6.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 車内のドリンクや散らばるゴミもカスタマイズ可能。ディテールにこだわり抜いたレースゲーム「CLUTCH」が発表に
- Automaton オープンワールド・レースゲーム『CLUTCH』発表。元『Forza Horizon』シリーズ開発者が放つ新作、車の“かつてないディテール”とカスタマイズ推し
- Denfaminicogamer 新作レーシングゲーム『CLUTCH』発表。『Forza Horizon 5』元開発ディレクター設立のスタジオの新作がお披露目へ
- Game Spark 『Forza Horizon』シリーズ元開発者による新作オープンワールドレース『CLUTCH』発表―UE5採用・超高精度車モデル・高度なカスタマイズ・ストーリー重視