Lightspeed L.A., the studio behind the development of Last Sentinel, announced on July 28 that it “has decided to shift the creative and development direction of Last Sentinel”, which will affect some of its employees.
“After extensive internal reviews and play-testing, Lightspeed LA has decided to shift the creative and development direction of Last Sentinel to deliver the experience players expect,” wrote the studio in a message published on its LinkedIn page.
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“Lightspeed LA remains open and continues to build games. Because of this shift, some roles at the studio will be affected. We are treating affected team members with compassion and respect, offering comprehensive support and where possible the opportunity to transfer internally.”
While the studio did not publicly disclose the number of people impacted by the decision, Games Beat expressly reported that 80 staff of the studio were laid off.
The studio re-emphasized its long-term commitment to North America, adding that “North America is a cornerstone of our global gaming strategy, and we will continue to invest in local talent, creative expertise and development across the region”.
Lightspeed LA is a Tencent subsidiary based in the United States. The emphasis on the studio’s commitment to North America is coming at a time when there have been reports that Tencent is reducing its investment in games and exiting North America. Perhaps the message was more of a reassurance to mitigate any fears surrounding the studio’s continued existence.
Lightspeed LA was founded between 2019 and 2020 and has its headquarters in Irvine, California. The studio is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. Their upcoming release, Last Sentinel, is a narrative-focused, open-world cyberpunk action game set in a futuristic reconstructed Tokyo.
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“In a near-future Tokyo reshaped by catastrophe, you are Hiromi Shoda, a feared operative of the elite DMNS unit tasked to enforce order across the city’s neon-lit streets,” reads the game’s blurb. “LAST SENTINEL delivers a dynamic, science-fiction open world and fast-paced combat, immersing you in a dystopian future where humanity’s survival hangs by a thread.”
Are you reassured by the message that Lightspeed LA is not under any existential threat? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
