Lightspeed Expands to Japan with New Studio Under Hideaki Itsuno's Leadership

Lightspeed Studios has announced the establishment of a new development studio in Japan, with industry veteran Hideaki Itsuno at the helm. The studio, which will operate out of Tokyo and Osaka, is set to focus on crafting original, high-quality AAA action games as part of Lightspeed's broader global expansion strategy. Lightspeed Studios' president, Jerry Chen, expressed his enthusiasm for Itsuno's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Hideaki Itsuno to the Lightspeed family. The launch of Lightspeed Japan Studio marks a significant milestone in our expansion and underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to our community." Itsuno shared his own excitement about joining the team, saying, "I am eager to embark on this new chapter with Lightspeed Studios. Leveraging the company's robust development capabilities and global reach, I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to create innovative, aesthetically pleasing AAA action games that will captivate the global gaming audience. We invite passionate and skilled game developers from around the world to join us in realizing this vision." Itsuno's move to Lightspeed Studios follows a three-decade tenure at Capcom, where he began his career in the arcade division in 1994 and went on to contribute to iconic franchises such as Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma.