SAN
FRANCISCO, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, a leading global game developer, at GDC
2025 today is revealing the "Original IP Initiative," a new
strategic focus centered on developing original game titles. As
part of this strategic shift, Vice President of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS
and General Manager of LightSpeed LA, Steve
C. Martin will unveil strategies from Lightspeed L.A., the
studio developing the highly anticipated AAA open-world action
game, Last Sentinel, while in parallel legendary game developer and
head of LightSpeed Japan Studio, Hideaki
Itsuno, will reveal that he has begun leading the early
development of a new, unnamed original AAA action game title. Both
are projects that mark LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' commitment to creating
original game titles.
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS Commits to Development of Original Game
IP
Recognizing that innovation drives player engagement, LIGHTSPEED
STUDIOS is sharpening its approach and announcing its commitment to
empowering a network of self-sustained, independently run regional
studios that will be focused entirely on developing original, cross
platform game titles.
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, best known for its work with established
game title PUBG MOBILE (co-developed with KRAFTON, Inc.), is
strategically expanding and building state-of-the-art development
facilities around the world to support original game
development.
This strategy enables its development studios, which notably
includes LightSpeed L.A., the newly established LightSpeed Japan
Studio, along with teams across the world, a direct pipeline to
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' centralized technical resources. This consists
of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' latest R&D breakthroughs, which push the
boundaries of graphics and performance to enhance in-game realism,
as showcased in workshops during GDC 2025.
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS Sets the Stage for a New Era
for Japan Studio
Building on this approach, legendary game director and head of
LightSpeed Japan Studio, Hideaki
Itsuno, is revealing at GDC 2025 that he's entering the
arena and embarked on 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 drove the remarkable successes of Devil May Cry, the Dragon's
Dogma series, Capcom VS. SNK, and many more iconic game titles,
Hideaki is ready to apply the same principles of creative freedom,
efficiency, and humility to assemble an outstanding team and create
something truly groundbreaking.
"We're building a creative environment that combines diverse
cultural perspectives with cutting-edge technology," said
Hideaki Itsuno, General Manager of
LightSpeed Japan Studio. "Our focus is on developing gameplay
elements that offer players entirely new experiences – the kind of
innovations that make players say I've never seen that in a game
before."
Leveraging Global Talent and Nurturing Creative
Freedom
Additionally, to foster fresh perspectives in original game
development, LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is adopting a model that enables
each studio to shape its own culture, advocating for original
thinking within teams. Bringing to the table Eastern and Western
game philosophies, LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is positioned to encourage
regional teams to exchange ideas, blend cultural influences, and
unite under a shared vision – creating truly global gaming
experiences.
A standout example of this approach is being led by the VP of
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, Steve C. Martin,
known for his commitment to culture-building, and development-based
scheduling. Focused on bringing his original AAA open world action
title, Last Sentinel, to life, Steve has assembled a world-class,
global team. Combing a dream team of talent from prestigious
studios like Rockstar Games, Naughty Dog, Obsidian Entertainment,
Sony Santa Monica, Meta, and EA Games, LightSpeed L.A. has fostered
not only a culture of creative freedom but ensures product
efficiency, thanks to Steve's emphasis on humility and a
willingness to embrace constructive feedback.
"Every developer's true ambition lies in developing original
games. The creative freedom of creating your own lore from scratch,
building a compelling narratives and characters, and all the
ideation and inspiration that explodes from this, this is the dream
of ant creative, and that's why LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is the place to
be," said Steve C. Martin, who
brings his extensive experience from Rockstar Games where he
contributed to acclaimed titles including Red Dead Redemption
I and II and Grand Theft Auto V."
About LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is a leading global game developer with teams
across China, United States, Singapore, Canada, United
Kingdom, France,
Japan, South Korea, New
Zealand, and United Arab
Emirates. LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS has created over 50 games
across multiple platforms and genres for over 4 billion registered
users. It is the co-developer of worldwide hit PUBG MOBILE
(co-developed with KRAFTON, Inc.) and the developer of the upcoming
AAA open-world game, Last Sentinel.
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is made up of passionate players who advance
the art & science of game development through great stories,
great gameplay, and advanced technology. We are focused on bringing
next generation experiences to gamers who want to enjoy them
anywhere, anytime, across multiple genres and devices.
More information about LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS please visit
www.lightspeed-studios.com, and follow us
on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightspeed-studios-forges-ahead-with-key-game-developments-and-expands-creative-vision-302407547.html
SOURCE LightSpeed Studios
