Before leading titles like Devil May Cry and Dragon’s Dogma, Hideaki Itsuno was a pivotal force in the fighting game genre, directing classics such as Street Fighter Alpha and Capcom vs. SNK. Recently, after a remarkable 30-year journey with Capcom, Itsuno launched LightSpeed Japan Studio, bringing along notable veterans, including artists Daigo Ikeno and Bengus.

Ikeno, a veteran since 1993, is known for his artwork on iconic games like Street Fighter Alpha and Third Strike. Bengus, whose influence stretches across titles such as Super Street Fighter 2 and Marvel vs. Capcom, will also contribute his artistic vision. At LightSpeed, Ikeno will serve as art director while Bengus takes on the role of art designer.

Itsuno envisions a collaboration that harnesses Japan’s top game development talent to create a groundbreaking AAA action title. While the future of classic fighting games remains uncertain, excitement builds around the innovative projects emerging from this newly formed studio.