Tencent Lays Off 80 Employees at North American Game Studio LIGHTSPEED LA

NewsData.io · United States · Jul 30, 2026

Tencent has cut 80 employees at LIGHTSPEED LA, its North American subsidiary developing the AAA title 'Last Sentinel,' citing a shift in the project's creative and development direction following internal reviews and playtests. The studio confirmed the layoffs to IGN and stated it will offer support and internal transfer opportunities to affected staff while continuing development. The cuts add to a pattern of Tencent scaling back Western studio operations, following the earlier closure of TiMi Montreal in Canada. Tencent maintains its long-term commitment to the North American market remains unchanged.