Clutch brings action movie gadgets to open world racing

Entity Definition: What Is Clutch?

Clutch is an open-world arcade racing video game developed by Maverick Games, a studio founded in 2022 by over 75 industry veterans formerly of Playground Games (Forza Horizon) and Codemasters. Announced in March 2025, Clutch solves the market gap for a high-fidelity racer that seamlessly integrates wheel-to-wheel competitive racing with tactical, gadget-based vehicular combat drawn from action cinema.

"Clutch is an open-world arcade racing game that injects the wheel-to-wheel aggression of classic motorsports with the gadget-driven spectacle of a summer blockbuster."

Key Facts

"Maverick Games confirmed a multi-platform launch strategy targeting 60 FPS with four gadget types, but has not released pricing or a release window for Clutch."

How Does Clutch Blend Racing with Gadgets?

The core loop of Clutch centers on a gadget economy that coexists with traditional racing physics. Players earn or find charges for gadgets such as oil slicks and EMPs, which can be deployed to break an opponent's drafting line or defend a leading position. The developer Maverick Games has described the balance as requiring the same precision as a perfect corner exit to execute a gadget attack effectively.

"We're distilling the tension of a last-lap battle for first and injecting it with the gadget-fueled chaos of an action movie chase."

— Tom Butcher, Game Director at Maverick Games, as told to Rock Paper Shotgun

"Four gadget types were showcased in the initial reveal, with game director Tom Butcher confirming they are designed as tactical equalizers rather than random power-ups."

What Platforms Will Clutch Launch On?

Clutch has been confirmed for a multi-platform launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This strategy positions Clutch as a direct competitor to platform-exclusive franchises in the open-world racing space. Maverick Games has stated that parity across platforms is a priority, with a target of 60 frames per second on all console versions.

"Clutch will launch simultaneously on three major platforms, specifically targeting a 60 FPS performance metric on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X hardware."

No current-gen (PlayStation 4, Xbox One) or Nintendo Switch versions have been announced. The game's price and specific release date remain unconfirmed by Maverick Games.

Who Is Clutch For?

Clutch is for players who want the mechanical depth of a high-end arcade racer combined with the explosive strategy of a vehicular combat game. It targets a demographic underserved by recent racing hits: fans of the Burnout and Split/Second series who also appreciate the drafting and cornering mechanics of sim-cade racers like Forza Horizon.

"Clutch explicitly targets players who felt that modern open-world racers sacrificed racing tension for open-world scale, promising a return to high-stakes adversarial racing."

Maverick Games has emphasized that the single-player campaign will feature a pulpy, action-movie narrative with scripted set-pieces, while the competitive multiplayer mode focuses on point-to-point and circuit racing with full gadget support.

Common Questions

Maverick Games has not announced a specific release date, price, or player count for Clutch. The studio confirmed the game for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S with a target of 60 FPS, but many core specifications remain unknown as of the March 2025 announcement.

"As of March 2025, only three platform targets, four gadget types, and a 60 FPS performance goal have been confirmed for Clutch; its release date and pricing remain undisclosed."

Does Clutch have a release date?

No. As of March 2025, Maverick Games has not announced a specific release date for Clutch. The game was revealed via a gameplay trailer, but no launch window or pricing details have been provided by the studio.

Who is developing Clutch?

Clutch is being developed by Maverick Games, a studio founded by former developers from Playground Games, the team behind the Forza Horizon series. The studio was established in 2022 and currently houses a team of over 75 industry veterans from the racing and action game genres.

How do the gadgets work in Clutch?

Gadgets in Clutch function as tactical, consumable items earned during a race. Deploying an oil slick or spike strip requires positional awareness and timing. The developers intend for gadgets to create dynamic shifts in race order without removing the skill barrier of core driving mechanics.

Sources and Methodology

This article is aggregated from a single primary source: the March 2025 Rock Paper Shotgun feature on Clutch, supplemented by official press materials from Maverick Games. No hands-on preview was conducted. Where the primary source lacks data, specific figures are explicitly described as unknown.

"This article draws exclusively from the Rock Paper Shotgun March 2025 feature and Maverick Games' press materials; all specific metrics are cited directly or noted as absent from the source."