Level-5
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| Type | Private |
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| Industry | Video game industry |
| Founded | October 1998 |
| Headquarters | Fukuoka, Japan |
| Key people | Akihiro Hino, President and CEO Yasuhiro Akasaka, Lead Director |
| Products | White Knight Chronicles series Professor Layton series Rogue Galaxy Dark Cloud series Jeanne d'Arc |
| Employees | 210 (as of December 2009) |
| Parent | Independent |
| Website | http://www.level5.co.jp/ |
Level-5 Inc. (株式会社レベルファイブ Kabushiki-gaisha Reberu Faibu) is an independent video game developer and publisher based in Fukuoka, Japan. The company, which currently employs about 200 individuals, was founded in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino after he departed from the now defunct Japanese developer Riverhillsoft. Hino designs, plans and produces all of Level-5’s games, as well as serving as both President and CEO of the company.
Since its inception, Level-5 has enjoyed a very close relationship with Sony Computer Entertainment, with many of its titles funded by and produced in conjunction with the publisher. Since the release of Professor Layton and the Curious Village for the Nintendo DS in early 2007, however, the company has begun diversifying its product portfolio and focusing more on self-funding and self-publishing its titles in Japan with Nintendo's overseas subsidiaries distributing Level-5's games on the Nintendo DS.
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[edit] History
Level-5 was established in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino and his development team.[1] They had left Riverhillsoft following the release of the PlayStation, so that they could focus on creating 3D software. Though Hino did not originally believe that his team could become an independent developer, he formed a connection with Sony Computer Entertainment, who would allow him to develop for their upcoming PlayStation 2 under the condition that he set up his own company.[1] The name, "Level-5", was a reference to Japanese school report cards, where "Level-5" is the highest possible mark. Soon after being created, the company had eleven employees.[1]
Level-5's first full scale production was the action RPG Dark Cloud, developed under contract by Sony Computer Entertainment, originally for the Japanese launch of the PlayStation 2 in March 2000. However, it was delayed before the console's launch to allow further development, and eventually released in Japan on December 14, 2000, and elsewhere in 2001. The game was an immediate success for the company, selling just under a million units worldwide.[citation needed] Work immediately began on a pseudo-sequel titled Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2 in North America), that, while not as successful as the first, still gained critical acclaim and sold over half a million units worldwide.[citation needed]
Midway through 2002, the company had a substantial boost in recognition as it began development on three high profile titles:
- True Fantasy Live Online for Microsoft, an MMORPG which was to become one of the premier titles for the Xbox and Xbox Live service in Japan before it was abruptly canceled in 2004.
- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for Enix (later Square Enix), who had handpicked Level-5 to develop the title under the supervision of famed designer Yuji Horii and his team at Armor Project.
- Rogue Galaxy, the studio’s third RPG for Sony Computer Entertainment, with a larger budget and more creative freedom than its previous productions with the publisher.
In just four short years, Level-5 went from small startup studio to one of the premier RPG developers in Japan, and have since enjoyed immense critical and commercial success. In early 2007, the company released its first fully self-funded and self-published title in Japan, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, which has since enjoyed incredible commercial success, shipping more than 840,000 copies to retail, and has officially transitioned Level-5 into both a developer and publisher of interactive video game entertainment in Japan.
[edit] Current development
Level-5 currently has one title in development for Nintendo DS, one title for the PlayStation Portable, one for the Wii, one for the PlayStation 3 and six titles for the Nintendo 3DS. One title for the 3DS is in collaboration with Capcom whose popular character Phoenix Wright stars in a game that also features Level-5's Professor Layton, Professor Layton is also set to have his fifth outing on the 3DS as well. Level-5 is also collaborating with Japanese anime giant Studio Ghibli in the development of Ni no kuni for both the DS and PS3. Level-5's other popular franchise, Inazuma Eleven, is about to feature in its Wii premiere with Inazuma Eleven Strikers and is getting a new installment on the 3DS which features a whole new story arc with new characters set 10 years after Inazuma Eleven 3. Level-5's next big franchise is The Little Battlers for PSP, along with an anime series based upon the game. Also Time Travelers, a title long teased by Level-5 was officially announced for 3DS at its Level-5 Vision 2010 conference and are working alongside Jiro Ishii for the game.
Yasumi Matsuno, director of Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics, and the Ogre Battle series joined Level-5 in June 2011.[2]
[edit] ROID
In 2009, Level-5 launched its ROID (Revolutionary Original Ideas Discovery) service, a mobile phone application that serves as a content delivery platform for mobile games.[3] It is only compatible with NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile internet service in Japan. Users pay a monthly fee for access to exclusive games and social game functions. The platform debuted with six titles: Sloan and McHale's Mystery Story, Professor Layton and the Mansion of the Mirror of Death Remix, Chara Jo P, Yuuenchi wo Tsukurou Revolution, Treasure Island, and Elf the Dragon. The first three were developed by Level-5, while the last three were developed by outside companies.[3]
[edit] Games
[edit] PlayStation 2
Dark Cloud series
- Dark Cloud (2000)
- Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2) (2002)
Other games
- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004)
- Rogue Galaxy (2005)
- Rogue Galaxy: Director's Cut (2007)
[edit] PlayStation Portable
- Jeanne d'Arc (2006)
- Danbōru Senki (2011)
- Danbōru Senki Boost (2011)
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2012)
- Time Travelers (2012)
[edit] Nintendo DS
Professor Layton series
- Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007)
- Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (Pandora's Box in the UK) (2007)
- Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Lost Future in the UK) (2008)
- Professor Layton and the Last Specter (2009)[4]
Inazuma Eleven series
- Inazuma Eleven (2008)
- Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryakusha: Blizzard (2009)[4]
- Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha: Fire (2009)[4]
- Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: Bomber (2010)[5]
- Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: Spark (2010)[5]
- Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: The Ogre (2010)[5]
Atamania series
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales (2009)[4]
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales 2 (2009)[4]
- Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #1: A Puzzle-Solving Journey Around the World (2009)[4]
- Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #2: A Puzzle-Solving Adventure Across the Universe (2009)[4]
- Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #3: A Puzzle-Solving Fairytale in Wonderland (2009)[4]
- Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #4: A Puzzle-Solving Trip on a Time Machine (2009)[4]
Other games
[edit] PlayStation 3
White Knight Chronicles Series
- White Knight Chronicles (2008)
- White Knight Chronicles EX Edition (2009)[5]
- White Knight Chronicles II[6] (2010)[5]
Other Games
[edit] Wii
[edit] Nintendo 3DS
Professor Layton series
- Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (2011)
- Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (2012) [8]
- Untitled sixth Professor Layton game (TBA) [9]
Inazuma Eleven series
- Inazuma Eleven GO Shine (2011) [10]
- Inazuma Eleven GO Dark (2011) [11]
Other games
- Girl's RPG Cinderelife (2012) [12][13]
- Fantasy Life (2012)
- Guild01 (2012)
- Time Travelers (2012) [14]
[edit] PlayStation Vita
- Time Travelers (2012)
[edit] Platform TBA
- Youkai Watch (TBA)
[edit] Arcade
[edit] iOS
[edit] ROID
- Professor Layton and the Mansion of the Deathly Mirror (2008) [15]
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales (2009)[4]
- Caba-Jyo-P (2009)[4]
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales 2 (2009)[4]
- Yuuenchi wo Tsukurou Revolution (2009)
- Treasure Island (2009)
- Elf the Dragon (2009)
- Inazuma Eleven Future (2009)
- Professor Layton's London Life (2009)
- Ni no Kuni Hotroit Stories (2010)[5]
- Inazuma Eleven Dash (2010)[5]
- Danboard Senki (2011)
[edit] TV Series
- Inazuma Eleven (2008)
- Inazuma Eleven GO (2011)
- Danball Senki (2011)
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2011, co-operate with Sunrise)
- Youkai Watch (TBA)
[edit] Films
- Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009)[4]
- Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai (2010)[5]
- Inazuma Eleven GO: Kyūkyoku no Kizuna Griffon (2011)
- Professor Layton second film (TBA)
[edit] Cancelled
- True Fantasy Live Online (Xbox)
[edit] Unknown
- Ushiro (PSP)
[edit] See also
- Level-5 Stadium in Fukuoka city
[edit] References
A Japanese Kid's Dream Come True: Level-5 Shows off Ni no Kuni at Tokyo Press Conference
- ^ a b c Hino, Akihiro & Iwata, Satoru (2010). "Iwata Asks: Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles, page 2". Iwata Asks. Nintendo of America Inc.. http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/creators/0/1. Retrieved 2011-12-08.
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/06/29/yasumi_matsuno_interview/
- ^ a b http://andriasang.com/com84u/roid_service_preview/
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Level-5 International America History & Products 2009". 2011. http://level5ia.com/history-products/?y=2009&start=6. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Level-5 International America History & Products 2010". 2011. http://level5ia.com/history-products/?y=2010&start=6. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "TGS 2009: White Knight Chronicles 2 Revealed". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5366521/white-knight-chronicles-2-revealed.
- ^ http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/274/274839/
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/10/19/l5vision_2010_live_blog/
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2011). "First Professor Layton Crosses One Million". Adriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/04/05/layton_curious_village_million/. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/06/15/3ds_inazuma_eleven_winter/
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/06/15/3ds_inazuma_eleven_winter/
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/10/20/level_5_3ds_hostess_sim/
- ^ "Girl's RPG Cinderelife - In Development". http://level5ia.com/product/girls-rpg-cinderelife-in-development/?page=2. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/10/19/l5vision_2010_live_blog/
- ^ "Level-5 International America History and Products - 2008". http://level5ia.com/history-products/?y=2008. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
[edit] External links
- Level-5 official website (Japan)
- Level 5 International America website
- Level-5 profile on GameSpot
- Level-5 profile on MobyGames
- Level-5 profile on IGN
- Level-5 profile on Giant Bomb
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