Maverick Games targets Game of the Year acclaim with open-world racer CLUTCH
Former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown revealed that his studio Maverick Games aims for Game of the Year status with its upcoming open-world racing simulator CLUTCH.
Independent studio Maverick Games, established by former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, is developing CLUTCH, an ambitious open-world racing project. Brown explained that following the critical and commercial reception of the fifth installment in the Forza Horizon franchise, he chose to depart Playground Games to take on a more challenging creative endeavor rather than continuing to iterate on established sequels.
The upcoming title is designed as an open-world racing simulator crafted by experienced industry veterans. The studio has set high benchmarks for the production, with Brown explicitly stating that the team intends to compete for major Game of the Year accolades rather than settling for recognition solely within the automotive genre. According to the developer, this ambition functions as an internal quality bar, ensuring every aspect of the title can contend directly against major AAA releases across the wider gaming industry.
Founded in 2022 with an initial group of just seven people, Maverick Games has expanded its staff to nearly 130 employees over recent years. CLUTCH is currently scheduled for release in spring 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.