--- title: "Ex-Forza Horizon Devs Announce ‘Clutch’, a Racing Game Where You Also Do Crimes" date: "2026-06-02" modified: "2026-06-02" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ex-forza-horizon-devs-announce-clutch-a-racing-game-where-you-also-do-crimes" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Video Games" --- # Ex-Forza Horizon Devs Announce ‘Clutch’, a Racing Game Where You Also Do Crimes ![A street race starting in Clutch]() *\Maverick Games via YouTube\* Come next spring, *[Forza Horizon]()* will have some competition in the domain of open-world driving games. Today, Maverick Games, a new studio fronted by FH5 Creative Director Mike Brown, has officially announced *Clutch*, a narrative-heavy sandbox racing title set in the French Riviera, at the intersection of a prestigious motorsports championship and a seedy underbelly of street racing and organized crime. It'll land on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. The blending of sanctioned circuit racing by day with an underground element when night falls isn't a strictly new concept; *Need for Speed Heat* explored a similar framework back in 2019. But, with NFS seemingly on ice, and *Forza Horizon* going for a more sanitized racing universe, *Clutch* looks to be carving a path nobody else is right now. The [trailer]() shows police chases and gadgets, like nitrous and grappling hooks, to outrun pursuers. Contrast that with racing liveried cars on closed tracks, which may as well be straight out of *Forza Motorsport* or *Gran Turismo*. Per a press release, the story follows "sibling racing prodigies" competing in this championship, known as the R1K, which dates back exactly a century. Our protagonist gets involved with the wrong crowd and well, we can only guess at the chaos that unfolds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTawB_pN6Q Maverick describes the game's format as "PvPvE," meaning players will race each other but also have to work together on occasion to outrun a common foe. The studio speaks of "hand-crafted and spontaneous missions and races that break the mold of modern driving games," and well, modern driving games could arguably use a break of the mold these days. The trailer treats us to a pretty solid view of a varied car roster, which contains, in no particular order: the FD Mazda RX-7, Aston Martin Valhalla, E31 BMW 850 CSi, [E46 BMW M3 GTR](), 930 Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche 911 GT3 S/C, Alfa Romeo 4C, GD Impreza WRX STI, first-gen Renault Mégane RS, current Land Rover Defender, and, of course, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R. What street-racing game [would be complete without it]()? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![Two characters pose with a Porsche 911 GT3 S/C in the upcoming video game, "Clutch"]() Maverick is touting a proprietary physics engine with a deep customization suite. Considering the footage shows off the ability to swap out everything from what you'd expect, like wings, bumpers, and rims, to nitty-gritty details like exhaust tips, steering wheels, window tint, and racing seats, I'd say that tracks. You can even add underglow to your vehicles. It must be said that the vehicles do look really, really good. Interior shots of the 850 CSi in particular show off lifelike materials and intricate textures, fitted with buttons and switchgear with the proper labels and fonts. Tiny details, but these could be the best-looking digital cars this side of GT7. In a decidedly un-GT move, though, players will have the freedom to clutter up their cars' cabins, too, placing trinkets on the dash, cups in cupholders, and balled-up hoodies in the passenger seat. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We have many questions about *Clutch*, but, also, a long time to get answers, as Maverick is targeting a spring 2027 release. You can expect more information about the game's story, actors, and world on June 5, during Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()