Lightspeed Studios launches new Japan game dev studio led by Hideaki Itsuno

Lightspeed Studios, a division of Tencent, said that it has established Lightspeed Japan Studio, a new game development studio headed by game director Hideaki Itsuno.

The studio will be focused on the development of original triple-A action game titles, marking a major step in Lightspeed Studios’ global expansion. The new studio will have offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.

Itsuno was born in Osaka, and he is the former Capcom veteran, where he not only planned the Street Fighter Alpha series, but also directed franchises series such as Rival Schools, Power Stone, Capcom VS. SNK, Devil May Cry, and Dragon’s Dogma.

“It is our great honor to have Hideaki Itsuno join Lightspeed Studios,” said Jerry Chen, president of Lightspeed Studios, in a statement. “The establishment of LightSpeed Japan Studio is a significant step in Lightspeed Studios’ expansion and demonstrates our commitment to bringing the best possible games to our players.”

LightSpeed Japan Studio will offer a flexible and inclusive working environment. The studio is designed to foster innovation by integrating multi-platform, cross-device technologies, creating an environment where creativity and technical excellence thrive. The team will focus on pushing the boundaries of new game creation, continuously exploring new opportunities in gameplay and storytelling.

“Joining Lightspeed Studios is an exciting new chapter for me. With LightSpeed’s strong development capability and global network, I look forward to creating original AAA action game titles together with the amazing team and building aesthetic and innovative experiences for the global player community. We welcome all talented and passionate game creators from the world over to join our vision,” said Itsuno, in a statement.

The team is hiring. See here for available positions.

Lightspeed Studios has created over 50 games across multiple platforms and genres for over 4 billion registered users. It is the co-developer of worldwide hit PUBG Mobile (co-developed with Krafton) and the developer of the upcoming open-world game, Last Sentinel.