Gavin Raeburn’s Lighthouse Games Scores Tencent Funding

It’s rare to see the creative force behind Forza Horizon and Dirt launch a fresh AAA studio—and even rarer to watch it get a cash infusion from Tencent. Lighthouse Games, led by racing veteran Gavin Raeburn, has just secured funding from Tencent’s Venture Lab. If you’re hungry for genuine innovation instead of carbon-copy sequels, this is one to track—though big-money partners always carry a dose of unpredictability.

What Tencent’s Backing Means

• Seasoned leadership: Raeburn brings 20+ years of genre-defining hits to the wheel.
• Fuel with strings: Venture Lab’s cash boost comes with a healthy focus on returns.
• Guarded autonomy: Lighthouse insists on creative control, but investors rarely stay hands-off forever.
• A jolt for racing: After years of safe sequels, a new AAA contender could rev up the genre.

Studio Snapshot

Operating from Leamington Spa with a 120-strong roster, Lighthouse Games isn’t an indie garage project. Tencent’s Venture Lab has quietly built stakes in Western studios, offering capital and guidance without an immediate buyout—but big investors can and do revisit terms if milestones slip.

In an industry grappling with layoffs and cautious follow-ups, backing a fresh IP is a bold play. Raeburn’s pedigree—from Playground Games to Forza Horizon—suggests more than just photorealism. Their pledge of a “brand-new driving experience” reads like marketing at first glance, but with this team, it’s worth believing.

Why It Matters

Whether this turns into an open-world playground or a radical rethink of racing, Lighthouse Games now has the talent, tech, and bankroll to make an impact. Competitors will need to up their game or get left in the dust.

Bottom Line

Lighthouse Games, steered by Gavin Raeburn, has locked in Tencent Venture Lab funding to create a new AAA racing IP. Armed with veteran talent and claimed creative freedom, they could deliver the genre’s next big shake-up.

Source: Lighthouse Games via GamesPress