LightSpeed Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent, has announced the launch of a branch in Japan. Veteran Japanese game developer Hideaki Itsuno has taken the helm of the new team.
Hideaki Itsuno
Itsuno spent over 30 years at Capcom, during which he played a significant role in numerous projects. Notably, he led the development of both Dragon’s Dogma games and several installments of Devil May Cry. In September, Itsuno left Capcom, stating that he plans to work on "a new game in a new environment," but did not provide further details.
It's known that LightSpeed Japan will specialize in creating original AAA-level action games. Details about the division's debut project are not yet available.
Itsuno's appointment as head of LightSpeed Japan is part of a trend of Chinese companies hiring leading Japanese developers for top positions. For instance, in 2023, NetEase appointed former Dragon Quest producer Ryutaro Ichimura as head of the Tokyo-based studio PinCool, and a year earlier, Yakuza series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi founded his own studio within the company.
In August, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that Tencent, along with NetEase, is reducing its presence in Japan. The report primarily referred to layoffs in local offices and decreased investments in games by Japanese developers due to perceived dissatisfaction with their lack of global ambitions. In response, Tencent told Bloomberg that it intends to continue working closely with Japanese partners and expanding its business in the country.