Lightspeed Studios has officially launched a new game development branch in Japan called Lightspeed Japan Studio, under the leadership of Capcom veteran Hideaki Itsuno.

Itsuno's departure from Capcom in August 2024 marked the end of a remarkable 30-year career with the company, during which he directed critically acclaimed titles such as Dragon's Dogma and Devil May Cry.

Company president Jerry Chen expressed enthusiasm about Itsuno joining the team, emphasizing the studio's expansion and dedication to delivering exceptional games.

Johnny Yong Bosch, the voice actor for Nero in the Devil May Cry series, publicly congratulated Itsuno on his new position, highlighting the industry's support for his career move.

Although Itsuno's departure from Capcom is seen as a significant loss, his new role at Lightspeed Japan Studio presents exciting opportunities for creative freedom and innovation.

Fans expressed relief on social media that Itsuno is not retiring, but instead will continue to create action games, a genre in which he has excelled.

His latest project, Dragon's Dogma 2, received widespread acclaim, being hailed as 'the most vital action RPG since Elden Ring,' further solidifying his reputation in the gaming industry.

While the specific title Itsuno is developing at Lightspeed Japan Studio has not been revealed, his extensive background suggests it will likely be action-oriented.

The new studio will operate from two locations in Tokyo and Osaka, as announced on November 12, 2024, and aims to foster a creative and flexible working environment.

Lightspeed Japan Studio is committed to promoting innovation through multi-platform technologies and creating an inclusive workplace.

Currently, there are over a dozen job openings listed on the Tencent hiring portal for the new studio, indicating a strong push for talent acquisition.

Lightspeed Studios, which has developed over 50 games and boasts a user base of over 4 billion registered players, is poised for continued growth and success in the gaming market.