Hideaki Itsuno, director of the franchise since Devil May Cry 2, is no longer with the company and has moved on.

Recognizing that innovation drives player engagement, LightSpeed Studios is sharpening its approach and announcing its commitment to empowering a network of self-sustaining, independently run regional studios that will focus entirely on developing original, cross-platform game titles. Best known for its work on the established title PUBG Mobile (co-developed with Krafton), LightSpeed Studios is strategically expanding and building state-of-the-art development facilities around the world to support original game development. This strategy allows its development studios, which include LightSpeed LA, the newly established LightSpeed Japan studio, and teams around the world, a direct pipeline to the centralized technical resources of LightSpeed Studios. This includes LightSpeed Studios’ latest research and development breakthroughs that push the boundaries of graphics and performance to enhance in-game realism, which will be showcased in workshops during GDC 2025.

Building on this approach, legendary game director and LightSpeed Japan studio head Hideaki Itsuno reveals at GDC 2025 that he’s entering the arena and beginning the early stages of bringing his own visionary AAA game title to life. Drawing on his extensive experience directing games and building incredible teams at Capcom that have led to the remarkable successes of Devil May Cry, the Capcom Alpha series, Capcom VS. SNK and many other iconic titles, Itsuno is ready to apply the same principles of creative freedom, efficiency and humility to assemble an outstanding team and create something truly groundbreaking.

To foster fresh perspectives in original game development, LightSpeed Studios adopts a model that allows each studio to shape its own culture and encourages original thinking within teams. Bringing together Eastern and Western game philosophies, LightSpeed Studios is able to encourage regional teams to exchange ideas, blend cultural influences, and unite under a common vision – creating truly global game experiences. A prime example of this approach is led by LightSpeed Studios Vice President Steve C. Martin, known for his commitment to five-year development cycles. Focused on bringing his original AAA open-world action title, Last Sentinel, to life, Steve has assembled a world-class, global team. Despite talent from prestigious studios such as Rockstar Games, Meta, and EA Games, LightSpeed LA has not only fostered a culture of creative freedom, but also ensures product efficiency thanks to Steve’s emphasis on humility and willingness to embrace constructive feedback.

LightSpeed is part of China’s Tencent. More than once we’ve seen Japanese developers move under Tencent or NetEase…

Source: Gematsu