LightSpeed Studios
{{Short description|Chinese video game developer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = LightSpeed Studios
| logo = LightSpeed Studios logo.png
| former_name = LightSpeed & Quantum Studio
| type = Subsidiary
| industry = Video games
| predecessor = {{Unbulleted list|Quantum Studios|LightSpeed}}
| founded = 2011
| hq_location = Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| area_served = Wordwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Jerry Chen (president)|Steve C. Martin (Vice president)|Michael Pattison (Vice president)}}
| parent = Tencent Games
| website = {{URL|https://www.lightspeed-studios.com/}}
}}
LightSpeed Studios (formerly LightSpeed & Quantum Studio) is a video game development company under Tencent Games, headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It was founded in 2011 through the merger of Quantum Studios and LightSpeed.
The company is known for developing titles such as PUBG Mobile and Peacekeeper Elite. The studio has expanded internationally, establishing multiple branches focused on AAA game development. The company has multiple offices in China, the United States, Singapore, Canada, Britain, France, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates and other countries.{{Cite web |title=LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS Unveils the LIGHTSPEED Universe, Its Vision for the Next Decade {{!}} INN |url=https://investingnews.com/lightspeed-studios-unveils-the-lightspeed-universe-its-vision-for-the-next-decade/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=investingnews.com |language=en}}
History
LightSpeed Studios was originally founded in 2008 as Quantum Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent Games. It was responsible for developing online multiplayer games in China. In 2011, Quantum Studios merged with Aurora Studios, another Tencent subsidiary, to form LightSpeed & Quantum Studio. The team played a key role in Tencent's mobile gaming strategy, working on titles that adapted popular PC and console experiences for mobile platforms.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Khee Hoon |date=2022-03-02 |title=A closer look at Tencent, the world’s biggest game company |url=https://www.polygon.com/22949530/tencent-the-worlds-biggest-video-game-company |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214095538/https://www.polygon.com/22949530/tencent-the-worlds-biggest-video-game-company |url-status=live }}
In 2018, LightSpeed Studios launched PUBG Mobile globally, and it became one of the best-performing mobile games worldwide. By 2022, the game had generated $8 billion in lifetime revenue.{{Cite web |last=Gametube |date=2022-05-14 |title=PUBG Mobile crosses $8 billion in revenue, including $4.7 billion from China's version Game For Peace |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/news-pubg-mobile-crosses-8-billion-revenue-including-4-7-billion-china-s-version-game-for-peace |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}
In 2020, Tencent launched LightSpeed LA in Irvine, California, with the goal of developing AAA games for console and PC. Led by industry veterans, the studio focuses on narrative-driven and open-world projects.{{Cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=2020-07-03 |title=Tencent establishes new studio in California |url=https://www.vg247.com/tencent-lightspeed-la-california-studio |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=VG247 |language=en}} LightSpeed LA later announced Last Sentinel at The Game Awards 2023, its first AAA open-world game set in a futuristic Japan.{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Romeo |date=2023-12-08 |title=New Open World Game Last Sentinel Revealed |url=https://gamerant.com/new-open-world-games-last-sentinel-trailer/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} In 2021, LightSpeed Studios established Uncapped Games in Los Angeles, California, led by a former Blizzard veteran, to focus on RTS games for PC.{{Cite news |last=published |first=Lincoln Carpenter |date=2024-04-20 |title=A studio helmed by StarCraft 2's multiplayer lead wants to create an RTS 'paradigm shift' with its unannounced game |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rts/uncapped-games-announcement/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}
In 2022, the company changed its name to LightSpeed Studios and unveiled a brand-new logo.{{Cite web |title=Tencent Has Officially Rebranded Its Mobile Game Studio Lightspeed & Quantum to LightSpeed Studios -- Superpixel |url=https://www.superpixel.com/article/89517/tencent-has-officially-rebranded-its-mobile-game-studio-lightspeed-quantum-lightspeed-studios |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.superpixel.com |language=en}} In 2023, Lightspeed Studios acquired Lucid Games.{{Cite web |title=Lightspeed Studios acquires Destruction AllStars dev Lucid Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/lightspeed-studios-acquires-i-destruction-allstars-i-dev-lucid-games |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}
In May 2024, Steve C. Martin, the former Rockstar Games producer and General Manager of Lightspeed LA, became the Vice President of LightSpeed Studios.{{Cite web |last=STUDIOS |first=LIGHTSPEED |title=LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS Bolsters Executive Leadership Team with Appointment of Industry Veteran Michael Pattison to VP of Global PC/Console Publishing |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightspeed-studios-bolsters-executive-leadership-team-with-appointment-of-industry-veteran-michael-pattison-to-vp-of-global-pcconsole-publishing-302155086.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}} In November 2024, LightSpeed Studios announced the creation of LightSpeed Japan Studio, led by former Capcom producer Hideaki Itsuno. This studio was established to develop new intellectual properties, primarily action games, for global audiences.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Sophie McEvoy Staff |date=2024-11-12 |title=Lightspeed launches new Japan studio led by Hideaki Itsuno |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/lightspeed-launches-new-japan-studio-led-by-hideaki-itsuno |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}
In March 2025, LightSpeed Studios announced that it would double down on developing new original intellectual property.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-20 |title=LightSpeed Studios unveils original IP strategy, including new AAA action game by Hideaki Itsuno |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/lightspeed-studios-unveils-original-ip-strategy-including-new-aaa-action-game-by-hideaki-itsuno |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}
Studios
- Lightspeed LA{{Cite web |last=STUDIOS |first=LIGHTSPEED |title=Join us {{!}} LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS |url=https://www.lightspeed-studios.com/join-us.html |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.lightspeed-studios.com |language=en |archive-date=2025-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212212126/https://www.lightspeed-studios.com/join-us.html |url-status=live }}
- LightSpeed Japan Studio
- Lucid Games
- Uncapped Games
- Quantum Studio
- S Studio
- R Studio
- H Studio
- Happy Studio
- TiKi Studio
- Anyplay Studio
- LightSpeed Tech Centre
- Art Monkey Gang
- Design Monkey Gang
Games
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Platforms !Developer !Ref. |
| 2014
|Tencent Mahjong |iOS, Android | rowspan="11" |LightSpeed Studios | rowspan="9" | |
| 2017
|Super NBA |iOS, Android |
| 2018
|iOS, Android |
| 2019
|Peacekeeper Elite |iOS, Android |
| 2020
|iOS, Android |
| 2021
|League of Legends: Wild Rift (Chinese Version) |iOS, Android |
| 2022
|iOS, Android |
| 2023
|iOS, Android, Windows |
| 2024
|NBA Infinite |iOS, Android |
| rowspan="5" |TBA
|iOS, Android |
| Code: To Jin Yong
|TBA |
| Battle Aces
|Uncapped Games |
| Last Sentinel
|TBA |LightSpeed LA |
| Untitled action game by Hideaki Itsuno
|TBA |LightSpeed Japan Studio |