Level-5 President and CEO Akihiro Hino has issued an apology and explanation regarding the studio's use of generative AI, following fan outcry after its recent game reveal showcase. Players expressed concerns after observing what they identified as "AI slop" in footage from upcoming titles such as the Professor Layton remake, DecaPolice, and Yo-Kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain.
The controversy began after Level-5's "Level5 Vision 2026 II: Dreams" presentation, where many viewers focused on perceived AI-generated elements rather than the games themselves. Screenshots circulating online highlighted what fans believed to be inconsistencies and peculiar details in background environments, particularly when compared to original assets, leading to accusations that the studio was using AI to "update" existing games.
In response to the growing backlash, Hino took to X/Twitter to address the community. He confirmed that Level-5 did employ generative AI in some development processes, describing it as "experimentation with the latest technology." He further stated, "we sincerely apologize to anyone who found this off-putting."
Hino emphasized that fundamental aspects of their games remain human-created. "All elements defining the appeal and individuality of our released titles— such as the scenario, character designs, and foundational settings — are created entirely by human hands," he clarified. He explained that AI is primarily utilized to "streamline the process of digitizing human-created assets," such as converting original artwork into 3D polygon models. He assured fans that "the games we release do not contain content simply generated by AI."
The CEO also defended the studio's approach, suggesting that AI-driven efficiencies allowed creators to focus more on "the true essence of creativity." He indicated that the use of AI was partly motivated by a desire to significantly shorten the development cycle for major titles, from the current five years down to two. "We made extensive use of AI this time, driven by a desire to deliver a presentation that was visually striking and easy to grasp," Hino added, promising to learn from the experience for future presentations.
However, these explanations have not fully appeased the Level-5 community. Many fans remain concerned about the ethical implications of using generative AI in game development, with some arguing that it is trained on stolen artwork and ultimately replaces human artists. Concerns were also raised about maintaining trust, with one user questioning the integrity of game assets if any part is AI-generated.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village is scheduled for release on PC and consoles in 2027, with another new game in the series, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, slated for release this December. Level-5 has not yet detailed specific changes to its development plans following this incident.