After three decades at CAPCOM, celebrated gaming visionary Hideaki Itsuno departed the company approximately twelve months prior. Reports later confirmed his leadership role at LightSpeed Studios, a Tencent subsidiary, where he helms a Japan-focused team developing action titles aligned with his acclaimed expertise.
Details revealed in a recent report by VideoGamesChronicle highlight notable progress for LightSpeed: the onboarding of prominent ex-CAPCOM talent and the launch of an Osaka office. Staff may opt between Tokyo and Osaka locations, per the studio’s social media announcement.
Key additions to Itsuno’s team include former collaborators:
- Narrative designer Toshihiro Nakagawa (alias Bingo Morihashi), credited for contributions to Devil May Cry 2-5 and both Dragon’s Dogma entries
- Art director Daigo Ikeno, known for work on Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, and Dragon’s Dogma
- Illustrator Gouda Cheese (aka Bengus), celebrated for Street Fighter and Power Stone designs
Approximately 40 team members now hail from CAPCOM backgrounds. Itsuno emphasized the value of familiarity in a statement:
Collaborating with trusted colleagues such as Mr. Nakagawa strengthens our foundation. Our partnership spans decades, beginning with Devil May Cry 2, and his insight remains invaluable. With Mr. Ikeno steering visual direction and Mr. Bengus contributing unmatched creativity—honed during his iconic Capcom tenure—we’re leveraging shared understanding to craft an exceptional experience.
This cohesion extends beyond core leadership. Multiple former Capcom associates now form part of our ensemble, ensuring our debut project benefits from proven collaborative synergy.
LightSpeed Japan Studio’s inaugural project involves an untitled original IP. Itsuno recently noted plans for a prototype designed to “captivate global audiences,” though creative director vacancies suggest considerable time before project specifics emerge.