Tencent-owned Lightspeed LA is laying off staff
Lightspeed LA, the US-based subsidiary of Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studios, has announced a significant restructuring that includes layoffs affecting 80 employees. The move comes as the studio shifts its creative and development direction for Last Sentinel, the game it has been developing since its announcement in 2023.
According to the studio’s statement to IGN, the decision follows “extensive internal reviews and play-testing” that revealed the game’s early build did not meet internal expectations or player expectations. In response to these findings, the company has decided to redirect the project’s development approach to “deliver the experience players expect.”
The studio emphasized its commitment to the affected employees, stating they are “treating affected team members with compassion and respect” and offering comprehensive support packages and internal transfer opportunities where possible. However, the specific scale of the restructuring—with 80 positions eliminated—underscores the significant challenges the project has faced during its development cycle.