Former Forza Horizon developers reveal 'Clutch', a racing game that incorporates criminal activities.
Maverick Games via YouTube
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Come spring next year, Forza Horizon will face competition in the open-world driving game arena. Today, Maverick Games, a new studio led by FH5 Creative Director Mike Brown, has officially unveiled Clutch, a narrative-driven sandbox racing game set in the French Riviera, where a prestigious motorsports championship intersects with a gritty underground world of street racing and organized crime. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
The concept of daytime sanctioned circuit racing combined with nighttime underground activities isn't entirely new; Need for Speed Heat explored a similar idea back in 2019. However, with NFS seemingly sidelined and Forza Horizon opting for a more polished racing environment, Clutch aims to forge a path currently uncharted by others. The trailer features police pursuits and gadgets such as nitrous and grappling hooks to evade cops. This stands in stark contrast to racing branded cars on closed tracks, reminiscent of titles like Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo.
According to a press release, the narrative revolves around “sibling racing prodigies” competing in the R1K championship, which has a century-long history. Our main character becomes entangled with the wrong crowd, leading to anticipated chaos.
Welcome to CLUTCH // Official Reveal
Maverick characterizes the game format as “PvPvE,” indicating that players will race against each other while occasionally collaborating to escape a common enemy. The studio mentions “hand-crafted and spontaneous missions and races that defy the norms of modern driving games,” a refreshing approach that modern driving games could certainly benefit from.
The trailer provides an impressive glimpse of a diverse car lineup, which includes, among others: 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?
Maverick Games is promoting a proprietary physics engine alongside a comprehensive customization suite. The footage displays options to modify everything from the typical features like wings, bumpers, and rims, to finer details such as exhaust tips, steering wheels, window tint, and racing seats. Players can even add underglow to their vehicles.
It’s worth noting that the vehicles look exceptionally realistic. Interior shots of the 850 CSi showcase lifelike materials and detailed textures, complete with buttons and switchgear labeled correctly. These minor details could make these some of the most visually stunning digital cars outside of GT7. In a notable deviation from GT’s style, players can clutter their car interiors with personal items, including trinkets on the dashboard, drinks in the cupholders, and crumpled hoodies on the passenger seat.
That purple 350Z is fully customized by the player. Maverick Games
We have numerous questions regarding Clutch, but we also have a while to wait for answers, as Maverick is aiming for a spring 2027 release. More details about the game's story, cast, and world are expected on June 5, during Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest.
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