Level-5
Encyclopedia
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 Japan
ese 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
.
, 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 PS2 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. 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.
Midway through 2002 the company had a substantial boost in recognition as it began development on three high profile titles:
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.
As of June 29, 2011 Yasumi Matsuno
who worked on such titles as Vagrant Story
, Final Fantasy XII
, Final Fantasy Tactics
, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
is working for Level-5.
Other Games
Inazuma Eleven Series
Atamania Series
Other Games
Other Games
Inazuma Eleven Series
Other Games
Independent business
In business, an independent business as a term of distinction generally refers to privately owned companies . Independent businesses most commonly take the form of sole-proprietorships...
video game developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
and publisher
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
based in Fukuoka
Fukuoka, Fukuoka
is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan.Voted number 14 in a 2010 poll of the World's Most Livable Cities, Fukuoka is praised for its green spaces in a metropolitan setting. It is the most populous city in Kyushu, followed by...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The company, which currently employs about 200 individuals, was founded in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino
Akihiro Hino
is president and CEO of Japanese video game developer Level-5.- Biography :Prior to founding Level-5 in October 1998, Hino began his career in the video game industry in the early 90's at the now defunct Japanese developer Riverhillsoft, specifically on the Overblood series for the original...
after he departed from the now defunct Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese 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
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
, with many of its titles funded by and produced in conjunction with the publisher. Since the release of Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Professor Layton and the Curious Village, released in Japan as , is a puzzle adventure video game for the Nintendo DS system. It was developed by Level-5, and published by Level-5 within Japan and Nintendo internationally. It was released in Japan during 2007, and in PAL regions and North America a...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
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
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
's overseas subsidiaries distributing Level-5's games on the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
.
History
Level-5's first full scale production was the action RPG Dark CloudDark Cloud
is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2000 and 2001 in Japan and American/PAL regions respectively. The gameplay of Dark Cloud combines action role-playing with elements of city-building...
, developed under contract by Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
originally for the Japanese launch of the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in March 2000. However, it was delayed before the PS2 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. Work immediately began on a pseudo-sequel titled Dark Chronicle
Dark Chronicle
Dark Chronicle , released as Dark Cloud 2 in North America, is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console...
(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.
Midway through 2002 the company had a substantial boost in recognition as it began development on three high profile titles:
- True Fantasy Live OnlineTrue Fantasy Live OnlineTrue Fantasy Live Online was an MMORPG in development by Level-5 for Microsoft's Xbox video game console. After a long and troubled development cycle that lasted close to two years, the game was cancelled on June 2, 2004...
for MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, an MMORPGMMORPGMassively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
which was to become one of the premier titles for the XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and Xbox LiveXbox LiveXbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
service in Japan before it was abruptly canceled in 2004. - Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for EnixEnixThe was a Japanese company that produced video games, anime and manga. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975 as and renamed Enix in 1982...
(later Square EnixSquare Enixis a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
), who had handpicked Level-5 to develop the title under the supervision of famed designer Yuji HoriiYuji Horiiis a Japanese video game designer and scenario writer best known as the creator of the Dragon Quest series of console role-playing games, as well as the visual novel adventure game Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken.-History:Dragon Quest is recognized as the first role-playing game to posit the idea...
and his team at Armor Project. - Rogue GalaxyRogue Galaxyis a science fiction role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was first released in Japan on December 8, 2005, and later in North America on January 30, 2007...
, 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
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Professor Layton and the Curious Village, released in Japan as , is a puzzle adventure video game for the Nintendo DS system. It was developed by Level-5, and published by Level-5 within Japan and Nintendo internationally. It was released in Japan during 2007, and in PAL regions and North America a...
, 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.
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.As of June 29, 2011 Yasumi Matsuno
Yasumi Matsuno
is a video game designer. He is one of a few designers to have two games receive a perfect score by Famitsu magazine. Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy XII were critically acclaimed by the magazine with a 40/40 score.-Early projects:...
who worked on such titles as Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story
is a Japanese-developed console role-playing game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation video game console. The game was released in 2000, and has been re-released through the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable consoles eleven years later...
, Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy XII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
, Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Square for the Sony PlayStation video game console. It is the first game of the Final Fantasy Tactics series and was released in Japan in June 1997 and in the United States in January 1998...
, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, and Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
is a 1993 real-time strategy role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, directed by Yasumi Matsuno with artwork by Akihiko Yoshida...
is working for Level-5.
PlayStation 2
Dark Cloud Series- Dark CloudDark Cloudis a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2000 and 2001 in Japan and American/PAL regions respectively. The gameplay of Dark Cloud combines action role-playing with elements of city-building...
(2000) - Dark ChronicleDark ChronicleDark Chronicle , released as Dark Cloud 2 in North America, is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console...
(Dark Cloud 2) (2002)
Other Games
- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004)
- Rogue GalaxyRogue Galaxyis a science fiction role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was first released in Japan on December 8, 2005, and later in North America on January 30, 2007...
(2005) - Rogue Galaxy: Director's CutRogue Galaxyis a science fiction role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was first released in Japan on December 8, 2005, and later in North America on January 30, 2007...
(2007)
PlayStation Portable
- Jeanne d'ArcJeanne d'Arc (video game)is a tactical role-playing game developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable . The game was first released in Japan on November 22, 2006 and was then localized in North America on August 21, 2007. It was never released in PAL regions...
(2006) - Danbōru Senki (2011)
- Danbōru Senki Boost (2011)
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGEMobile Suit Gundam AGEis a 2011 Japanese science fiction anime television series and the twelfth incarnation of Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. The series is first announced in the July issue of Shogakukan's CoroCoro Comic, and has gaming company Level-5's President Akihiro Hino in charge of the story...
(2012) - Time Travelers (2012)
Nintendo DS
Professor Layton Series- Professor Layton and the Curious VillageProfessor Layton and the Curious VillageProfessor Layton and the Curious Village, released in Japan as , is a puzzle adventure video game for the Nintendo DS system. It was developed by Level-5, and published by Level-5 within Japan and Nintendo internationally. It was released in Japan during 2007, and in PAL regions and North America a...
(2007) - Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (2007)
- Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (2008)
- Professor Layton and the Last Specter (2009)
Inazuma Eleven Series
- Inazuma ElevenInazuma Elevenis a role-playing and sports video game for the Nintendo DS developed and published by Level-5. It was released on August 22, 2008 in Japan. A European release was confirmed by Nintendo and was released on January 29, 2011, three years after the Japanese release...
(2008) - Inazuma Eleven 2 Kyoui no Shinryakusha: BlizzardInazuma Eleven 2 Kyoui no Shinryakushais a role-playing and sports video game for the Nintendo DS developed and published by Level-5. It was released on October 1, 2009 in Japan.A direct sequel to the game titled Inazuma Eleven 3: Sekai e no Chousen has been announced for the Nintendo DS, as well as a console version of the game titled...
(2009) - Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha: FireInazuma Eleven 2 Kyoui no Shinryakushais a role-playing and sports video game for the Nintendo DS developed and published by Level-5. It was released on October 1, 2009 in Japan.A direct sequel to the game titled Inazuma Eleven 3: Sekai e no Chousen has been announced for the Nintendo DS, as well as a console version of the game titled...
(2009) - Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: Bomber (2010)
- Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: Spark (2010)
- Inazuma Eleven 3: Challenge the World: The Ogre (2010)
Atamania Series
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing TalesAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales 2Atamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #1: A Puzzle-Solving Journey Around the WorldAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #2: A Puzzle-Solving Adventure Across the UniverseAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #3: A Puzzle-Solving Fairytale in WonderlandAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Professor Tago's Mental Gymnastics #4: A Puzzle-Solving Trip on a Time MachineAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009)
Other Games
- Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (2009)
- Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi (2010)
PlayStation 3
White Knight Chronicles SeriesWhite Knight Chronicles (series)
The White Knight Chronicles series is a video game series created by Level-5 and Japan Studio, the series is exclusive to Sony consoles. The PlayStation 3 titles were developed by Level 5, while the latest entry for PSP, Origins is being developed by Matrix Software with no creative input from...
- White Knight Chronicles (2008)
- White Knight Chronicles EX Edition (2009)
- White Knight Chronicles II (2010)
Other Games
- Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (2011)
Wii
- Inazuma Eleven Strikers (2011)
- Inazuma Eleven Strikers 2012 Xtreme (2011)
Nintendo 3DS
Professor Layton Series- Professor Layton and the Mask of MiracleProfessor Layton and the Mask of Miracleis a puzzle adventure video game and one of the Nintendo 3DS' launch titles in Japan. It is the fifth game in the Professor Layton series, but the third story chronologically...
(2011) - Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (2012)
- Untitled sixth Professor Layton game (TBA)
Inazuma Eleven Series
- Inazuma Eleven GOInazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
Shine (2011) - Inazuma Eleven GOInazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
Dark (2011)
Other Games
- Girl's RPG Cinderelife (2012)
- Fantasy LifeFantasy Lifeis an upcoming role-playing video game for the Nintendo 3DS which is being co-developed by Brownie Brown and Level-5. The game was previously being developed for the Nintendo DS....
(2012) - Guild01Guild01is an upcoming video game compilation for the Nintendo 3DS. It is being published by Level-5, and is being developed in cooperation with game designers Goichi Suda, Yoot Saito, and Yasumi Matsuno as well as Yoshiyuki Hirai of comedy duo America Zarigani. The compilation contains four games, each...
(2012) - Time Travelers (2012)
Arcade
- Inazuma Eleven Strikers 2012 Xtreme (2011)
- Danbōru Senki Data Carddas (2011)
ROID
- Professor Layton and the Mansion of the Deathly Mirror (2008)
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing TalesAtamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - Caba-Jyo-P (2009)
- Paul Sloane and Des MacHale's Intriguing Tales 2Atamaniais a series of casual puzzle video games published by Level-5. The series comprises two, unrelated series of puzzle games. is a collection of puzzles created by Akira Tago, a Japanese professor who has authored a series of books within Japan under the same name. Players read through stories and...
(2009) - 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)
- Inazuma Eleven Dash (2010)
- Danboard Senki (2011)
TV Series
- Inazuma ElevenInazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
(2008) - Inazuma Eleven GO!Inazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
(2011) - Danball SenkiDanball Senkiis a 2011 Japanese anime television series produced by Level-5 under the direction of Naohito Takahashi. Based on a plastic-model-building role-playing game, Danball Senki was broadcast in Japan on the TV Tokyo Network starting March 2, 2011...
(2011) - Mobile Suit Gundam AGEMobile Suit Gundam AGEis a 2011 Japanese science fiction anime television series and the twelfth incarnation of Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. The series is first announced in the July issue of Shogakukan's CoroCoro Comic, and has gaming company Level-5's President Akihiro Hino in charge of the story...
(2011, co-operate with SunriseSunrise (company)is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings. Its former name was Nippon Sunrise, and prior to that, Sunrise Studios...
) - Youkai Watch (TBA)
Films
- Professor Layton and the Eternal DivaProfessor Layton and the Eternal Divaalso known as , is a 2009 Japanese animated mystery film directed by Masakazu Hashimoto. The film is a continuation of the Professor Layton series...
(2009) - Inazuma Eleven: Saikyō Gundan Ogre ShūraiInazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
(2010) - Inazuma Eleven GO: Kyūkyoku no Kizuna GriffonInazuma Eleven (manga)is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tenya Yabuno. It is based on the Level-5 video game series of the same title. The manga has been published by Shogakukan in CoroCoro Comic since the June 2008 issue...
(2011) - Professor Layton second film (TBA)
External links
- Level-5 official website (Japan)
- Level 5 International America website
- Level-5 profile on GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
- Level-5 profile on MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- Level-5 profile on IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- Level-5 profile on Giant BombGiant BombGiant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...