- Primary Subject: Clutch.
- Key Update: Clutch is an open-world, cinematic action-driving game developed by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown, set on a sprawling rendition of the French Riviera.
- Status: Announced (Scheduled for Spring 2027).
- Last Verified: June 10, 2026.
- Quick Answer: Clutch combines professional circuit racing (R1K) with underground street racing (Midnight Collective) in a diverse, PvPvE open world. It is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
A new AAA racing game by some of the genre's veterans is hitting the stores next year. Clutch is developed by Maverick Games, a studio founded by former Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Mike Brown.
The studio is based only a few miles from Playground Games' HQ and is home to several former employees, including senior figures from its art and audio teams.
While there is shared talent here, Clutch is doing something very different from Forza Horizon or any other modern racing game.
Early looks suggest the game wants to harken back to days when cinematic racing games like NFS ruled the streets, with modern depth and details.
Here's all you need to know about it.
Clutch Release Date
Clutch does not have a definitive release date, but it is scheduled for Spring 2027. We will be sure to update you when the exact date is made official.
Clutch Platforms
Clutch will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. There are no words on a Nintendo Switch 2 release.
Is Clutch Open-World? Setting Details
Clutch is an open-world racing game set on the French Riviera.
The scenic Mediterranean coastline of southeastern France in-game includes Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and other regions along the French Riviera.
All that will make the open world fairly diverse, with possible long stretches of coastal highways, winding mountain roads, urban streets, and plenty of scenic routes to click pictures along the Alps and Verdon Gorge.
Maverick Games noted to IGN that Monaco, in particular, was extended to give it more "space," as the real-world location is quite dense.
It is a fitting region for a racing game, as it has a strong car culture and luxury automobiles being a common sight, parked on nearly every corner.
Not to forget the casinos, hotels, and superyachts, adding to its exotic appeal.
Clutch Story Details
Something we don't see often these days in racing games is a story. The ones that do include them end up being anodyne or outright cringe-worthy. But Clutch appears to put a thought into its narrative.
It's billed as a cinematic experience. The story follows Theo Martial and his sister, Cass. Prodigies of the previous R1K champion, the siblings found themselves "entangled in a conspiracy spreading across the Riviera’s racing world."
R1K is a prestigious in-game circuit racing championship. We'll know the finer details about the story as the game nears launch.
For the early looks, it appears to blend both professional circuits by day and not-so-professional street racing by night.
We have conspiracies, street racing, chaos, and all the family drama. Yeah, we all know where this is heading.
Clutch Gameplay Details
Clutch is an open-world racing game, so we expect all the usuals to be present. The striking bit about the game has been customization.
You can tweak the tiniest of details that add personality to your drive, including interior details like dashboard items, cup holders, and more.
Aftermarket parts are licensed as well. Corbeau, Kirkeys, Recaro, and HRE Wheels are among some of the brands shown.
Chases are present in the game. Early trailers showed a Fast & Furious-type police chase with cars smashing around the building interiors and swinging with a grappling hook to escape.
It's also confirmed that the game will have a shared PvPvE open-world and feature "dynamic social sandbox events." The exact details on the modes and activities are not yet official.
Clutch trailers
If you want to see what Clutch looks like, here are a few trailers showcasing gameplay bits and story.
Reveal Trailer
Announcement Trailer
That's everything you need to know about Clutch. Stick around, and we'll keep you updated as more details are made official.
Stay tuned to racinggames.gg: the best place for Clutch coverage.