Lightspeed LA
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2020
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Lightspeed LA
Lightspeed LA is an American AAA video game development studio based in Irvine, California. Launched in 2020 under LightSpeed Studios, part of Tencent Games, it was established as the group's first North American AAA development studio. Its focus is original intellectual property for global PC and console audiences, combining living open worlds, sophisticated gameplay systems and mature storytelling.
The studio brings together game design, engineering, visual development and performance production. Its capabilities span concept art, environment and character creation, narrative direction, scriptwriting, systems programming, technical art, shaders and engine tooling. In-house motion capture and audio recording support cinematic animation, voice performance, sound design and Foley, alongside quality assurance and performance optimization.
Original game development
Its debut project, Last Sentinel, was unveiled at The Game Awards in December 2023. The narrative-focused, open-world cyberpunk action game is set in a futuristic, dystopian Tokyo. Lightspeed LA serves as lead developer, bringing its world-building, artistic and technical disciplines together around the original property.
In late July 2026, internal playtesting prompted a change in the project's creative and development direction. The resulting restructuring affected production, narrative and motion capture teams, with a California WARN filing covering 68 positions effective September 28, 2026, and approximately 80 roles reportedly affected overall. Tencent subsequently reaffirmed its long-term commitment to North American development. As of November 2026, Lightspeed LA continues operating its Irvine production facility, and Last Sentinel remains in development under the revised direction.
More about Lightspeed LA
Founder and leadership
Steve C. Martin founded the studio and led it as General Manager. In May 2024, he became Vice President of LightSpeed Studios globally while retaining executive stewardship of North American creative efforts. His earlier career included senior production roles at Rockstar Games on Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2; these are personal career credits rather than Lightspeed LA productions.
Production environment
The studio's motion capture volume uses Vicon optical tracking technology. Its premises combine open-plan development bays, specialized edit and audio mixing suites, performance analysis stages and outdoor meeting spaces.
Stated workplace practices
The company describes a "No Crunch" philosophy built around sustainable scheduling, psychological safety, open vulnerability and a "No Blame" team culture. These are company-described practices.
Early development
Initial studio organization began in late 2019, preceding its public launch. The team subsequently recruited veterans from Naughty Dog, Sony Santa Monica, Respawn Entertainment and BioWare.
Notable credits
1 creditOffices
Where Lightspeed LA is based
- 15201 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92618, United StatesIrvine, California, United States
Irvine office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Primary development headquarters at Discovery Park, with a 27,000-square-foot production facility, in-house motion capture volume, edit suites and audio mixing facilities.
Open roles
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