Level 5 CEO Apologizes for AI Use in Vision 2026 Showcase, Clarifies Development Pipeline
Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino issued a statement on September 12, 2026, addressing backlash over the use of artificial intelligence in the company's 'Vision 2026 II Dream' presentation. Hino apologized for the controversial footage, clarifying that AI was used only to digitize human-created assets, such as converting artwork into polygon models, rather than generating core creative elements like scenarios or character designs. The company stated that this efficiency aims to reduce major title development cycles from five years to two, while promising to be more cautious in future presentations.
Key points
- Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino apologized for using AI in the 'Vision 2026 II Dream' presentation, acknowledging it may have offended viewers.
- The company clarified that AI is used to convert human-made assets into digital formats, such as polygon models, to improve efficiency.
- Hino emphasized that core creative elements, including scenarios, character designs, and world-building, remain entirely human-created.
- Level 5 is testing methods to reduce the development cycle for major titles from five years to two years using AI-assisted processes.
- The presentation showcased titles including 'Yokai Watch 2: Haunted Domain' and a new 'Professor Layton' game, with a making-of video for the latter.
Background
This incident follows a broader industry trend of scrutiny regarding AI usage in gaming, exemplified by earlier controversies involving Saber Interactive in August 2026, where a CEO admitted to replacing writers with AI. Level 5's response distinguishes its approach by focusing on technical efficiency rather than creative replacement.
How outlets are covering it
Anime News Network and Noisy Pixel report that Hino apologized for the AI use in the presentation but maintained that core creative work remains human-driven. GoNintendo highlights that while Hino apologized, he did not indicate a plan to stop using AI entirely, noting that fans remain critical of the 'digitization' approach. Noisy Pixel emphasizes the company's goal to cut development time from five to two years, framing the AI use as a tool for efficiency rather than creative substitution. All sources agree that the backlash was significant, but differ in tone regarding whether the company's clarification will satisfy critics.
Why it matters
The response highlights the ongoing tension between efficiency-driven AI adoption and creative integrity in the gaming industry. Level 5's strategy to shorten development cycles could set a precedent for other publishers, while the backlash underscores consumer sensitivity to AI's role in content creation and presentation.
What to watch
Level 5 plans to apply lessons from the backlash to future presentations, potentially adjusting how AI is showcased. The company continues to refine its AI-assisted development pipeline to achieve its goal of reducing major title development cycles to two years.
- Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino Addresses Use of AI in Latest Presentation animenewsnetwork.com
- Level-5 CEO responds to backlash over company's AI use GoNintendo
- OPINION: From Studio Ghibli to AI slop: What happened to LEVEL-5? Niche Gamer
- Level-5 Wants to Cut Major Game Development From Five Years to Two Using AI-Assisted Production Noisy Pixel
- Level-5 Repeats Its Commitment to the Use of AI in Its Games Men's Journal
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