Ex-Forza Devs Maverick Reveal Clutch, an Unreal Engine 5 Racing Game in the Mould of Need for Speed
Maverick Games, a newly established studio founded by veterans from Playground Games, has announced its debut title: Clutch, an arcade racing game built on Unreal Engine 5. The game is led by Mike Brown, the creative director behind Forza Horizon 5.
Clutch draws heavy inspiration from the Need for Speed franchise, emphasizing arcade racing and street culture within an open-world environment set in the French Riviera. The game features signature NFS aesthetics—nitrous-fueled acceleration and neon-enhanced vehicle customization—while incorporating the structured activity diversity characteristic of Forza Horizon titles.
The game implements a dual-track progression system: a traditional “R1K” competitive racing circuit (inspired by NFS: ProStreet) and the underground “Midnight Collective” (evoking NFS: Most Wanted’s Blacklist), blending sanctioned motorsport with street racing culture.
Announced through a teaser trailer alongside first-impressions content from media creators, Clutch represents Maverick Games’ entry into the competitive racing genre. The studio’s foundation by Forza veterans and the game’s design direction suggest an attempt to capture both the visual fidelity and activity breadth of modern Forza Horizon games while embracing the arcade-focused street racing identity of Need for Speed.