It’s been a good time to be a fan of arcade-style racing games of late. The latest game in the Need for Speed series, Need for Speed Unbound, marked a return to form for the series, with a positive response upon release, while both Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 6 have been smash hits, delivering action-packed racing in beautiful settings to explore and race through.
Now there’s another contender coming into the fold, and it’s helmed by a man with experience in the field, creative director Mike Brown, who previously was creative director on the well-received Forza Horizon 5. Set to debut in the spring of 2027, Brown has set the bar high for the game in its initial launch video, promising an action-packed racing game with unmatched levels of customization and realistic touches for an enthralling, fast-paced experience.
What We Know About Clutch So Far
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
Although the game has yet to receive a major rollout, Maverick Games has released a five-minute official release video that offers early details about what gamers can expect when the game hits shelves next year. The key takeaways are:
Pro Racing And Street Racing in One (Fictional R1k & Midnight Collective)
The first big drop is what type of racing you’ll be doing in Clutch, and the answer is that the two sibling protagonist characters will be inhabiting two different parts of the racing world.
On the one hand, you get the fictional R1K racing circuit. This is a well-known part of the racing world in the in-game universe. Racing in the R1K is an opportunity for a racer to establish their name in the sport and prove their mettle as one of the top racers in the world. Cited as having a century of history as one of the world’s most prestigious circuits, it’s the platform through which racers in the universe can become certified racing stars.
Of course, formal racing is just one of the avenues explored in popular arcade racing, as underground circuits have their own proud tradition in the genre. In Clutch, this side of the racing world is represented by the Midnight Collective, which the main characters will also participate in, earning their reputation and credibility on the less-publicized side of the racing world.
In-Depth Customization
Another popular mechanic in many of the best arcade racers is the ability to customize your cars. Getting into the weeds of customization lets you make your cars feel truly your own, putting your personal touch on the look of each ride. Clutch developers clearly knew this was important to racing gamers, as the ability to trick out your vehicles gets heavy focus in the debut reveal.
Brown discusses the depth of customization you are familiar with in many racing games, including painting, body work, and custom LED lighting. If there’s a special look you want for your car, it seems that Clutch is determined to make sure you can create it in-game.
Cars That Feel Lived In
The customization doesn’t stop with the traditional interior work, however. Brown told IGN that making cars that feel like real-world vehicles was important to the Clutch team. As a result, there is heavy customization available for your interior, with everything from the cup in your drink holder, the baubles hanging off your mirror, and even the type and placement of flair, or junk, that can be found on the dashboard of your ride.
Brown also discussed how not every car will need to look pristine and fresh off the showroom, with the ability to put some character into the exterior of your cars, allowing for more realistic final looks.
More Info to Come on Friday
Although this video only served as a teaser for the game, the good news for racing gamers who are intrigued by what they’ve seen is that you won’t be waiting long for more information on Clutch and what to expect when it hits your PC or console.
Brown also announced that the game, which is set to be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, will be featured this Friday on the Summer Game Fest 2026 Showcase. The Showcase presentation is expected to feature more information on the storyline of the game, including getting to know the actors playing the primary protagonists and learning more about the world in which Clutch is set.
By the end of the week, we should have an even better understanding of just how excited to be about Clutch, and whether it seems like it’s on track to become the latest addition to the excellent field of action racers. Summer Game Fest 2026 will take place at 5 PM EST on the official Summer Game Fest channels on both YouTube and Twitch.
Published: Jun 3, 2026 09:30 am