CLUTCH Reveal Trailer
Founded by former Forza Horizon developers, Maverick Games, a Leamington Spa, UK-based studio is currently developing its debut open-world action-driving game, Clutch, launching in Spring 2027.
Clutch is headed up by Forza Horizon 5 former creative director Mike Brown and other staff from Forza Horizon developers Playground Games. Rather than building a genericized version of the exploration-focused Horizon for their own studio, the Maverick Games team chose to make Clutch stand out by emphasizing a more conventional video game storyline featuring a specific hero character facing challenges that go beyond the usual desire to win more races and advance up a ladder. Clutch bills itself as a cinematic open-world action-driving game. "It focuses on two racing prodigies competing in the R1K, a historic series that has been a proving ground for the world’s top drivers for 100 years.” While that’s the face of professional competition, players will also take part in the underground 'Midnight Collective', which appears to be focused more on street racing.
Part of that story will be driven by a criminal underbelly element, something that seems to open the door for police chases and other action-focused driving situations that would never make sense in a game like Forza Horizon. This also opens the door for some Fast & Furious-style antics with a more fun than realistic understanding of physics. (In this reveal trailer, a grappling hook can be seen pulling a car through a corner.)
Outside of that combination of narrative and action, the most interesting thing about Clutch might be its commitment to car customization. The usual wings and engine mods are present, but customization features go deeper and more esoteric in an effort to emphasize the relationship between an owner and their car. Exact details on that will have to wait, but a brief clip showing open cupholders that can be filled with options like an open can of Red Bull suggests that this system is going to be rich in strange new ideas.
Clutch is set to launch spring 2027, when it will hit PCs and current-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Maverick Games will showcase a "first look at the story, actors, world and what’s at stake" with a video presentation this Friday, June 5th at the 'Summer Games Fest Showcase' on YouTube.
Maverick Games Official Website: https://maverick-games.com/















