Maverick Games is a studio I’ve been following ever since there inception, founded by former Forza Horizon Creative Director Mike Brown alongside other former Playground Games developers. The pedigree behind Maverick Games was more than enough to peak my interest and I’ve waited years to find out exactly what they’ve been working on.

Now we have our answer. The studio’s debut title will be Clutch, a narrative driven open-world racing game. With a mix of pro circuit racing and action-packed underground race-and-chase sandbox gameplay. Clutch looks like it’s trying to find a balance between these developers previous work on the Forza Horizon series and EA’s Need For Speed games. If it can balance those two influences effectively then I’m all here for it.

In Clutch, players will compete for position, reputation and rewards while navigating shifting alliances, escalating pursuits and rival crews across a living PvPvE action-driving world. Players will progress through a diverse array of hand-crafted and spontaneous missions and races that break the mold of modern driving games and challenge player creativity at every turn. Clutch’s open-world sandbox unleashes blockbuster action and unscripted chaos in every high-speed getaway.

Clutch’s proprietary physics engine and deep vehicle personalization system allow players to build cars defined as much by identity and style as raw performance. Customization goes deeper than the custom paint or aftermarket parts, it’s in the tiny details of owning a car that build on the connection between car and driver. Players can create a true one-of-one car and the ride of their dreams in Clutch, being rewarded equally for both creative flair and finishing position.

A first look at the story, actors, world and what’s at stake will be revealed at the Summer Game Fest Showcase on Friday, June 5. So make sure you stay tuned here at Analog Stick Gaming for more coverage of Clutch.