All articles tagged with #level 5
A preliminary survey by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) indicates that 85.8% of Japanese game developers are actively using generative AI, a sharp increase from 51% in the previous year. While most developers use AI for debugging and administrative tasks, usage is expanding into asset creation, prompting stricter corporate policies and ongoing debate over quality and player reception.
Level-5 responded to AI backlash by saying many so-called AI-generated ‘slop’ elements in its Vision 2026 II presentation were due to human error, not AI. It explains that some Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain visuals were based on real references, and that background art mistakes (like vending machines and rain gutters) came from sloppy work. Updated trailers will be shown at the Tokyo Game Show, and the company plans to limit AI use to efficiency improvements rather than content creation for fan-facing videos. While acknowledging AI was used in development, Level-5 emphasizes AI as a tool rather than a replacement for artists.
Level-5 president Akihiro Hino apologized on X for using AI in the Level-5 Vision presentation that showcased Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch, saying it was an experimental move to create a more spectacular showcase. He emphasized that all creative work in final games remains human-made and that AI will be used to automate technical processes (like converting artwork into 3D polygons) to speed development, with a goal of reducing major-title timelines from around five years to two. He acknowledged the discomfort among some viewers and promised to learn from the experience while continuing to release human-driven titles.
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino confirmed generative AI was used to make the company's recent digital showcase more spectacular, apologizing for fans' discomfort. He stressed that the charm and core design of their games remain human-made, noting AI was used mainly to digitize artwork and speed development, helping trim production time from five years to two. The disclosure follows backlash over undisclosed AI use and reflects broader industry AI investment.
Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino addressed AI use in the Vision 2026 II Dream presentation, apologizing for any offense and stressing that core game elements are human-made while AI is used to convert assets into digital form to boost efficiency; the company aims to cut major-title development from five years to about two, and will apply these AI insights to future showcases, with the event previewing several upcoming titles.
Fans are concerned after Level-5’s Vision 2026 II showcase, fearing the studio is leaning into AI for code, art, and design across upcoming titles (including a Professor Layton remake and DecaPolice). The reaction cites CEO Akihiro Hino’s past statements that AI plays a major role in development, and notes Level-5’s 2023 admission of using ChatGPT for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, though no formal confirmation has been made about the current projects.
Level-5 announced a 3D remake of Professor Layton and the Curious Village for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, featuring enhanced exploration, 3D character models, and high-resolution widescreen animations, with a 2027 release and single-screen adaptation; a teaser trailer is included, and a separate Layton title, The New World of Steam, is planned for late 2026 on Switch 2 and Switch.
Level-5 previews a thought-provoking ending for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, tying themes of humanity, civilization and AI to a richer story and more puzzles, all to be released simultaneously worldwide on Nintendo Switch platforms.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam marks the series’ first non‑Nintendo release, coming to PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 in 2026 (alongside Switch) with a new 3D‑animated art style and mouse support on Switch 2. The move follows Level‑5’s recent multiplatform success, signaling broader accessibility for the beloved puzzle franchise.
LEVEL-5 announced Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam) toward the end of 2026, joining Switch 2 and standard Switch versions. The puzzle-filled adventure, set a year after Unwound Future in Steam Bison, promises more puzzles, new cast members, full 3D cutscenes, and a theme song collaboration with Joe Hisaishi and Lilas Ikuta, with localization and visuals polishing underway.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is slated for a 2026 release on PS5 and PC (Steam), joining Switch as multiplatform Puzzle adventure with enhanced puzzles, a full world map, updated movement, new companions, 3D cutscenes, Switch 2 mouse support, a coin radar mode, and expanded language support.
Level-5 confirms Professor Layton’s PS5 debut in 2026 with Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, a simultaneous worldwide release also headed to Switch 2, Switch, and PC, featuring PS5 mouse support, 3D cutscenes, improved movement, and new companions.
Level-5’s Vision 2026 April showcase outlined a broad slate headed largely by Switch 2 projects and several mobile titles, but most entries carried vague “in development” status rather than firm dates. Highlights include Snack World: Reloaded for Switch 2, Inazuma Eleven: Cross (mobile) with a June window, and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road for Switch 2 (Japan) on June 11, plus Professor Layton and the New World of Steam for Switch 1 & 2 with a 2026 target and Joe Hisaishi behind the new theme. Also showcased were Pufflings, Yo-kai Watch: The Great Detective Nekomata, and Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (mobile), signaling progress but few concrete release windows beyond general year targets. Overall, the event offered teasers and updates more than firm launch dates.
LEVEL-5 announced Snack World: Reloaded, a remake of Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold, for PS5, Switch 2, and PC (Steam). Release date hasn’t been revealed. The remake features significantly updated graphics, gameplay, controls, and story, plus a new mode that lets players experience the story from Chup’s perspective, making it feel almost like a brand-new title.
Level-5's Vision 2026 showcased Inazuma Eleven RE, Decapolice, and Holy Horror Mansion, but precise release dates are unclear: Inazuma Eleven RE has a 2026 window with a Switch 2 version confirmed; Decapolice has shifted to Switch 2 in some listings while the official site still lists 2026; Holy Horror Mansion appeared in footage with no timetable, leaving overall 2026 timing uncertain alongside Professor Layton and The New World of Steam. Fans face delays and platform changes amid GenAI debates surrounding the studio's development approach.