Hideaki Itsuno, the name behind the Devil May Cry and Dragon’s Dogma franchises, has a new home. The director has taken up a leadership position at LightSpeed Studios Japan, a subsidiary of the giant Tencent.
Itsuno will use all his expertise to develop new AAA action games. Hideaki spoke about his new challenge in a statement to the press.
“Joining LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is an exciting new chapter for me. With LightSpeed’s strong development capabilities and global network, I’m looking forward to creating original AAA action games together with the amazing team and building innovative and beautiful experiences for the global community of gamers. We welcome all talented and passionate game developers from around the world to join our vision.”
Based in Osaka and Tokyo, the studio’s idea is to build experiences that reach global audiences. Jerry Chen, president of LightSpeed Studios, had this to say:
“The creation of LightSpeed Japan Studio is a significant step in the expansion of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS and demonstrates our commitment to bringing the best possible games to our players.”
There’s no doubt that the initiative isn’t messing around, signing one of Japan’s leading game developers. Obviously, we don’t have any more details about Hideaki Itsuno’s next adventure. Knowing the director’s style, we can at least hope for addictive combat.
Are you looking forward to the director’s next project? Tell us in the comments and join the discussion in our forum.
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He chose Tencent over NetEase ok. Knew it would be 1 of the 2. NetEase should make plays for who’s left Yu Suzuki, Tomonobu Itagaki, Shinji Mikami, and Seiichi Ishii. Also why hasn’t Kamiya announced where he’s going? Itsuno has now and Mikami started a new studio is Kamiya blacklisted? Also what’s up with Platinum Games last rumors I heard were they’re making a Ninja Gaiden game and a remake for Capcom with Mikami.
He can finally make what he wants now without Capcom’s garbage. But I guess it’ll be a while before we see his next project I mean look how long it’s been since Hajime Tabata announced his new project and still no trailer, Nagoshi’s is still far away I guess, Mikami just founded a new studio, and Itagaki teases things but hasn’t done anything AAA in years honestly Koei Tecmo needs to bring that man back.
What’s Inafune up to? Last I remember his company Comcept got bought by Level 5 then nothing also Red Ash never happened despite getting funding? Honestly since Capcom is back to its old antics of no MegaMan I think he should finally make Red Ash and Level 5 has talent to make games like that so it shouldn’t be a problem. With Itsuno gone now too I think it’s the end of Dragons Dogma for sure but also Power Stone, Rival Schools, and Devil May Cry thank him for making 5. Where’s Kamiya at? Is he joining up too or is he starting a new company honestly it seems like he’s begging Capcom to rehire him and even Microsoft to hire him.