Level-5, the studio behind the Professor Layton series, is offering significant pay raises to its employees, contingent on their ability to correctly answer quizzes about the company's own games. This initiative, revealed by CEO Akihiro Hino, aims to reward and incentivize deep knowledge of the developer's intellectual properties.
Hino explained that employees with insufficient knowledge may require additional support from colleagues, impacting workflow efficiency. Conversely, those who possess comprehensive knowledge can take on more responsibility and streamline processes. He views an employee's knowledge of and passion for the company's games as a legitimate skill, leading to efficiency gains that justify the increased compensation.
Level-5 is known for several prominent franchises, including the puzzle-adventure Professor Layton, the Pokémon-like RPG series Yo-kai Watch, the anime soccer series Inazuma Eleven, and the Studio Ghibli-inspired role-playing game Ni No Kuni. The company is headquartered in Fukuoka, with additional offices in Tokyo and Osaka.
The studio's upcoming release is Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, slated for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch systems later this year. This title marks the series' debut on PC via Steam, as well as its first appearance on a PlayStation console, diverging from the franchise's historical presence on Nintendo handhelds and mobile devices.
This approach from Level-5 stands in contrast to recent trends in the industry, such as PlayStation's significant reduction in employees at Bungie following the cessation of development on Destiny 2. Microsoft is also anticipated to implement substantial layoffs as it reshapes its development studios and focuses on core franchises.