Renowned video game director Hideaki Itsuno concluded his extensive three-decade tenure at Capcom last year. During his time, he spearheaded several major franchises, notably Devil May Cry. Itsuno recently disclosed that a primary motivation for his departure was a desire to avoid being perpetually engaged in developing sequels to his previous works.
In an interview with VGC, Itsuno explained that the opportunity from Lightspeed to develop a new AAA title was exceptionally compelling. He viewed this as potentially his final chance to pursue a fresh creative challenge.
Itsuno elaborated on his decision, stating: “For Capcom, the creation of sequels for Devil May Cry and Dragon`s Dogma holds paramount importance. Considering that game development typically spans four to five years, this current venture might represent my last substantial opportunity. Before one realizes it, you could be deeply involved in producing Devil May Cry 6 or 7. It`s not that I lack interest in making them; I genuinely do. However, it becomes challenging to reconcile the significant time commitment with the personal gratification derived from such projects. Furthermore, with Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon`s Dogma 2, I had already achieved my creative aspirations.”
While specifics about Itsuno`s new Lightspeed project remain scarce, it has been confirmed that numerous former Capcom developers, with experience on titles like Devil May Cry and Street Fighter, are set to join Lightspeed`s second studio in Osaka, Japan. Key new hires include acclaimed artist Bengus, Devil May Cry writer Toshihiro Nakagawa, and character designer Daigo Ikeno.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Itsuno remarked: “It is truly gratifying to collaborate with individuals I deeply trust, such as Mr. Nakagawa. Our professional relationship spans decades, originating from Devil May Cry 2, and he stands as one of those essential team members who grasps my vision exceptionally well. He was working as a freelance scenario writer, and when I reached out, he joined us. I am confident that by blending our creative sensibilities, we can craft an outstanding game.”
The future of a Devil May Cry game sequel remains uncertain at present. However, fans can anticipate the return of the Devil May Cry anime series on Netflix for its second season in 2026.