Hideaki Itsuno, renowned director of Dragon’s Dogma 2 and the Devil May Cry series, has officially joined Tencent’s LightSpeed Studios. This move follows his departure from Capcom, where he spent more than 30 years. Itsuno will now lead the newly established LightSpeed Japan Studio, with offices in Tokyo and Osaka.
Itsuno’s Storied Career at Capcom
Hideaki Itsuno is celebrated for his work on the Devil May Cry series, which he directed from the third installment onward. He also created Dragon’s Dogma, a hit action RPG that won over fans and critics alike. Itsuno left Capcom on August 31, 2024, marking the end of a legendary career at the company. Now, he embarks on a new journey, bringing his expertise in AAA games to LightSpeed Studios.
Leading LightSpeed Japan Studio: A New Chapter
At LightSpeed Japan Studio, Hideaki Itsuno will be responsible for building and directing a talented team focused on original AAA action games. LightSpeed Studios, known for games like PUBG Mobile, is hiring for various roles, including engineers, animators, and designers, to support Itsuno’s vision. Itsuno expressed his excitement about this “new chapter” and is eager to work on fresh projects with a highly skilled team.
LightSpeed Japan Studio’s Vision for AAA Game Development
The formation of LightSpeed Japan Studio represents Tencent’s commitment to expanding its global presence in the gaming market. While LightSpeed is well-known in the mobile gaming space, the focus of the Japan studio will be on producing high-budget, original action games aimed at a global audience. Itsuno’s vision is to create unique, visually stunning games that blend immersive storytelling with engaging gameplay.
Industry Trend
Hideaki Itsuno’s move to LightSpeed Studios follows a trend in which industry veterans are joining Chinese-backed studios. Other notable figures include Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, BioWare’s Mac Walters, and former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi. The trend signals the growing influence of Chinese companies in the gaming world.
LightSpeed Studios has been making a name for itself with strong development teams worldwide. In Los Angeles, for example, LightSpeed is currently working on Last Sentinel, an open-world game set in a futuristic Tokyo. The studio’s global reach and high production quality make it a key player in the gaming industry.
What Itsuno Brings to LightSpeed Studios
With Itsuno’s experience, LightSpeed Japan Studio is poised to push the boundaries of AAA game development. Itsuno’s extensive background in action games will be instrumental as the studio creates new, memorable experiences for players. Though details of the studio’s first project are still under wraps, Itsuno’s involvement has already sparked anticipation.
The studio also emphasizes a flexible and inclusive work culture, giving Itsuno and his team the freedom to innovate. Itsuno aims to create games that captivate players, both visually and in gameplay.
A New Era for Itsuno and LightSpeed Studios
Hideaki Itsuno’s move to LightSpeed Studios marks a major shift in the gaming industry. His expertise will be invaluable as the studio enters the AAA gaming arena. With the establishment of LightSpeed Japan Studio, Tencent is reinforcing its commitment to global expansion and high-quality game production.
The gaming community is excited to see what Itsuno and his team will develop at LightSpeed Japan Studio. Itsuno’s vision promises to deliver unique and immersive games that could redefine action gaming for fans around the world.
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