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Forza Horizon co-creator's new game title appears in filings. Gavin Raeburn, the co-creator of the Forza Horizon series, is developing a new AAA racing game, and recent trademark filings suggest its title will be Drive the World. October 5, 2026 A new contender is revving its engine in the racing game world, and it comes from a familiar architect of the genre. Gavin Raeburn, the former head of Playground Games and a co-creator of the acclaimed Forza Horizon series, is developing a new AAA title through his studio, Lighthouse Games. Recent intellectual property filings suggest the game may be titled "Drive the World," positioning it as a direct competitor to his previous creation. The studio has officially trademarked several names, including "Ignition: Drive the World" and "Wonderland: Drive the World," indicating a clear direction for the upcoming project aimed at setting a new standard in open-world racing. Key takeaways. * | Gavin Raeburn, co-creator of Forza Horizon, is developing a new AAA racing game with his studio, Lighthouse Games. * | Recent trademarks filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) suggest the game will feature the name "Drive the World." * | Specific filings include "Ignition: Drive the World" and "Wonderland: Drive the World," hinting at potential game modes or subtitles. * | Raeburn has previously stated his goal is to create a game that can directly compete with and surpass the Forza Horizon series. A new challenger enters the race. Gavin Raeburn, an influential figure in modern racing games, departed from Playground Games in early 2022. The following year, he established Lighthouse Games, a UK-based studio that quickly grew to include over one hundred experienced developers. From the outset, the studio's mission has been clear: to develop a new, high-quality AAA game that challenges the current leaders in the genre. In past interviews, Raeburn has not been shy about his ambitions. He has openly identified Forza Horizon as the primary competitor his team aims to surpass. This goal sets a high bar, as the Horizon series has dominated the arcade-style open-world racing scene for over a decade. ""There is one game really that's the biggest fish in the pond and that's Horizon. That's the game we have to beat," Raeburn stated in a 2024 interview, signaling his intent to disrupt the market he helped build. The formation of Lighthouse Games and its focused objective has been a topic of considerable interest within the gaming community, with many players eagerly awaiting the first glimpse of what this veteran team can produce. Trademarks point to "Drive the World" While an official title has not yet been announced, a series of trademark applications provides the strongest clues to date. Lighthouse Games recently filed trademarks for "Ignition: Drive the World" and "Wonderland: Drive the World" with the EUIPO. These filings follow an earlier, less-noticed trademark from 2024 for the phrase "Drive the World," which was registered with both the EUIPO and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The consistent use of "Drive the World" across these legal filings strongly suggests it is the central branding for the new game. The prefixes "Ignition" and "Wonderland" could represent different gameplay modes, expansion packs, or even potential final subtitles for the project. Inside the filings. The trademarks were filed under classifications 09 and 041. These categories are standard for video games, covering downloadable game software (09) and online entertainment services (041), confirming their direct connection to an interactive entertainment product. The filings themselves are designed to protect intellectual property and do not offer deep insights into gameplay mechanics. However, the names themselves evoke a sense of global scale and adventure, aligning with the open-world philosophy that Raeburn perfected with the Forza Horizon series. The legacy of a racing visionary. Gavin Raeburn's track record lends significant weight to this new venture. Before his work on Forza Horizon, he was a key figure at Codemasters, contributing to iconic racing franchises like DiRT and GRID. His move to co-found Playground Games led to the creation of Forza Horizon, a series conceived to challenge the then-dominant Need for Speed franchise. Under his leadership, Forza Horizon grew from a promising spinoff into a genre-defining behemoth. By Forza Horizon 3, the series had established a new benchmark for open-world racing, blending stunning visuals, accessible driving physics, and a vibrant festival atmosphere that captivated millions of players. A history of competition. Raeburn's career shows a pattern of identifying a market leader and building a superior alternative. He successfully did this with Forza Horizon against Need for Speed. Now, with Lighthouse Games, he is applying that same competitive drive against his own legacy, aiming to once again redefine player expectations. This history of success is a primary reason why the development at Lighthouse Games is being watched so closely. The studio is not just another startup; it is a team led by an industry heavyweight with a proven ability to deliver groundbreaking experiences. What this means for racing game Fans. The emergence of a well-funded, experienced studio with the explicit goal of competing with Forza Horizon is excellent news for players. Competition often drives innovation, pushing established franchises to evolve while creating new options for consumers. For years, the Forza Horizon series has operated with few direct rivals of a similar scale and budget. The arrival of "Drive the World" could lead to several positive outcomes for the genre: * Innovation in Gameplay: Lighthouse Games will need to introduce new features and mechanics to differentiate its product. * Technological Advancements: A new AAA competitor could spark a graphical and technical arms race, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on consoles and PC. * More Choice for Players: Fans of open-world racing will soon have another major franchise to look forward to. While details about the game's setting, car list, and specific features remain under wraps, the trademark filings are a significant step forward. They transform the project from a theoretical concept into a tangible product with a name and a clear identity. As Lighthouse Games continues its work, the racing genre may be on the verge of its most exciting shake-up in years.

New crime-and-racing game Clutch seeks outdo Forza Horizon 6 (and even GTA 6). The first of a new wave of racing games - well, at least two - by ex-Forza Horizon developers seeking to outdo Forza Horizon has been revealed. Maverick Games, led by Forza Horizon 5's creative director Mike Brown, unveiled Clutch, a story-focused racing game about sibling racers competing on what appears to be the French Riviera. Clutch has elements familiar from Forza Horizon, like licensed cars, a glamorous tourist location, and a mix of official racing series and illicit street racing. But it also weaves in a crime story with hints of Need for Speed and even Grand Theft Auto, as the protagonist "gets in some trouble" that seems to result in him performing automotive heists and getting into police pursuits. In Clutch, you can equip James Bond-style gadgets to your car to assist in these pursuits. The reveal trailer showed a grappling cable that shoots out of the front of the car, allowing it to slingshot around a lamppost. The two lead characters, a brother and sister, also get involved in a century-old motorsport series called the R1K, and a street-racing group called the Midnight Collective which is all about "the raw thrill of speed," according to Brown. Maverick showed off impressively detailed car models that showed realistic signs of age and wear and tear. Clutch also one-ups Forza, Gran Turismo, and the rest of the racing field by allowing players to customize their cars' interiors as well as exteriors. You can select from official manufacturer options, add aftermarket seats and steering wheels, and even fill the interior with coffee cups, parking tickets, trinkets, and discarded hoodies. Clutch will get a follow-up reveal trailer at Summer Game Fest on Friday, June 5. Brown said this trailer would formally unveil the game's characters and location. (It's definitely the Riviera though; perhaps the setting will extend into northern Italy, as Forza Horizon 2 did.) Clutch was originally set to be published by Amazon, but the tech giant pulled out of the deal back in February. Maverick Games appears to have been well-funded enough to continue with development anyway, and is seeking a new publishing partner. Maverick isn't the only rival studio based within a couple of miles of Forza Horizon developer Playground Games in Leamington Spa, U.K., and formed by ex-Playground staff. Lighthouse Games, led by Playground founder Gavin Raeburn, is also working on an open-world racing game. A short walk from Playground Games' offices, the man who created the series thinks he knows how to beat it