Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has addressed criticism surrounding the company’s use of artificial intelligence during its LEVEL5 VISION 2026 II Dream presentation. The showcase featured upcoming projects including Yo-kai Watch 2: Haunted Domain, Inazuma Eleven: Cross, DECAPOLICE, and Professor Layton and the Curious Village, but some viewers raised concerns about AI-generated visuals used during the broadcast.
In a statement shared after the September 10 presentation, Hino apologized for making viewers uncomfortable and explained that the AI techniques were used as an experiment intended to make the roughly hour-long showcase more visually striking.
Level-5 Says AI Will Focus on Efficiency Rather Than Game Creation
Hino clarified that Level-5’s core creative work remains human-led. He specifically pointed to scenarios, character designs, and fundamental world-building as elements created by people, while explaining that the company is exploring AI for tasks such as converting existing 2D artwork into 3D polygon assets.
“None of our games will contain carelessly generated assets,”
Hino said in his statement, addressing concerns that generative AI could replace the studio’s artists and creators.
According to Hino, improving production efficiency could give developers more time for creative work. Level-5 is reportedly testing whether these methods can eventually help reduce the development cycle for major projects from around five years to approximately two.
The controversy follows a presentation packed with updates across Level-5’s upcoming lineup. The company also confirmed a December 10, 2026 release for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, while its official Vision 2026 II materials highlighted additional projects across its major franchises.
Hino concluded his response by acknowledging that using AI so prominently in the presentation was a learning experience, suggesting Level-5 will approach similar experiments more carefully in future showcases.
