When Mike Brown left Playground Games and his position as creative director of the Forza Horizon series a few years ago, many wondered what was next for the man who helped create one of the most successful racing franchises of modern times.
Now we finally have an answer. His new studio, Maverick Games, has officially unveiled Clutch, an AAA open-world racing game that aims to combine the best elements of Forza Horizon, Need for Speed, GRID, and even action spectacles in the style of Fast & Furious. After the first details, the project sounds incredibly ambitious.
Unlike Forza Horizon, which has always emphasized celebrating car culture and the freedom of exploration, Clutch attempts to do something that the racing genre has struggled with for decades - tell a serious and engaging story. The plot follows two talented drivers competing in the prestigious R1K championship, which has gathered the best drivers in the world for a century. But alongside professional racing, players will also get involved in the world of illegal street racing through an organization known as Midnight Collective. In other words, we can expect a combination of official races, underground scenes, and criminal activities that will connect the entire campaign.
Particularly interesting is the focus on cinematic presentation. Studio Maverick describes Clutch as a "cinematic open-world action-driving game," and the first materials showcase police chases, spectacular escapes, heists, and action scenes more commonly seen in blockbuster films than in racing games. This element could be what sets Clutch apart from the competition.
The game world is set on the French Riviera and is described as a "living PvPvE open-world." Developers promise a combination of handcrafted and dynamic events that will create unpredictable situations during driving.
This sounds like an attempt to maintain the freedom and spontaneity of Forza Horizon, but with more action, risk, and narrative context.
Of course, cars are still at the center of it all.
Models such as the Porsche 930 Turbo, Nissan Skyline R34, BMW 850 CSi, Aston Martin Vantage, Nissan 350Z, and the iconic BMW M3 GTR are showcased, which will immediately evoke memories of Need for Speed Most Wanted for many. So far, European and Japanese cars dominate, but it has been confirmed that there will also be SUV models like the Land Rover Defender. A significant emphasis is placed on customization. We're not just talking about rims, spoilers, and vinyls. Players will be able to (FINALLY) customize the interior of their vehicles, change seats, steering wheels, add keychains, air fresheners, and even leave a cup of coffee in the cup holder. The goal is for each car to feel like a personal project, not just another model from a virtual garage.
All of this is powered by a specially tailored version of Unreal Engine 5, which Mike Brown claims allows for exceptionally detailed vehicle models, including signs of use and wear that will give cars more character.
And this is where we get to the most interesting part of the whole story.
For years now, there has been practically no serious competition for Forza Horizon. Need for Speed is hibernating and still searching for its identity, The Crew has gone its own way, and most racing games are focused either on simulation or arcade fun without much of a story. Clutch is trying to fill the gap between all these worlds. If it manages to combine the freedom of Forza Horizon, the atmosphere of Need for Speed, the story of GRID Legends, and the spectacle of action movies, Mike Brown could very well create the first real challenge to his former franchise.
Clutch is set to arrive in spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, while we will see new details and the first real trailer during the Summer Game Fest.
