Tencent's cyberpunk rival to Grand Theft Auto is in trouble as its developer lays off 80 people

Tencent's attempt to create a Grand Theft Auto rival, Last Sentinel, is facing significant challenges, as its developer, Lightspeed LA, has announced the layoff of 80 employees. The cyberpunk open world game has been under development for six years and was initially showcased at The Game Awards in 2023. However, doubts arose when promotional videos failed to display any gameplay footage.

Multiple delays and partial project reboots have led publisher Tencent to halt the project, resulting in the employee reductions. Last Sentinel was envisioned as a glossy open-world game set in a cyberpunk Japan, featuring destructible environments and a mix of driving and shooting. Despite initial optimism, the game has struggled with unclear vision and polarizing management under former Rockstar San Diego studio director Steve Martin.

Following a disappointing playtest and unimpressive presentation to Tencent executives, Lightspeed rearranged efforts to improve the game. Nevertheless, it seems Tencent has lost confidence, and the studio now plans to pivot the game's direction to align with player expectations, given the considerable challenges ahead.