PUBG Mobile co-developer Lightspeed Studios has established a new proprietary IP development framework for building triple-A titles at scale.
Breaking the news at GDC Festival of Gaming, the global development house said the framework is underpinned by innovations discovered in the process of developing Last Sentinel, an upcoming title from LightSpeed LA.
The company said the structured system is shaped by a prioritization of “strong visual identity and art direction over sheer graphical fidelity.”
“This is designed to enable the deliberate, repeatable and scalable creative development of multiple original AAA titles from the ground up by offering a compelling visual hook that resonates instantly with players,” said the company. “Realizing that ambition, however, requires approaching game development with the scale and discipline of a blockbuster production, where technology serves as a critical enabler in translating creative intent into immersive, high-impact experiences.”
The framework will result in 90 percent of a title being build upon a “templated foundation” informed by real-world references including authentic locations, historical context, and life-like proportions. Lightspeed claims it’s a process that will result in a “game development base rooted in reality.”
The remaining 10 percent will then be where the majority of creative intensity is concentrated, according to the company. “It is within this focused layer that designers reinterpret reality, elevate narrative tension, and craft the distinctive storytelling and experiential hooks that define the game’s identity.” continues the announcement.
Lightspeed will unpack the framework at GDC Festival of Gaming in a series of dedicated sessions. The company has created over 50 titles to date and operates teams across China, United States, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and United Arab Emirates.
It has expanded in recent years with the opening of a new mocap and virtual production facility. The Tencent-owned company also hired Dragon’s Dogma director Hideaki Itsuno in 2024 to lead a new studio in Japan.
Game Developer and GDC Festival of Gaming are sibling companies under Informa Festivals.