Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has confirmed that generative AI was used to create footage for the studio’s digital showcase, sparking fan backlash across social media platforms regarding the transparency and quality of upcoming game presentations. According to VGC, viewers quickly spotted suspected undisclosed artificial intelligence following the broadcast. In response to the criticism, Hino issued a public statement addressing the controversy and detailing the studio’s production methods.
Level-5 CEO Addresses Fan Backlash Over Digital Showcase
The controversy began immediately after the digital showcase debuted, featuring prominent titles such as Professor Layton, Decapolice, and Yo-Kai Watch. Fans took to social media to voice their disappointment over the visual output. One fan wrote on X/Twitter, as cited by VGC, “I was SO excited when Level-5 announced their big comeback with Professor Layton, Decapolice, Yo-Kai Watch, and more… but seeing this much blatant genAI being used across their games… yeah, this ain’t it.” Another user posted an image pointing out inconsistencies in a trailer released just one day apart, questioning the studio’s push for efficiency through automated tools.
https://x.com/Level5Hub/status/2098047582429643199
Responding to the negative reaction, Hino acknowledged the community’s concerns on X/Twitter, explaining that the technology was deployed strictly for presentation purposes. According to Hino’s translated statements, “This time, because we used AI for the footage within the event, it seems that concerns have arisen regarding the content of the works as well, so I would like to provide an explanation.” He added that the implementation “was entirely due to the desire to make the presentation more spectacular that we incorporated processing that also served as an experiment using the latest AI. It appears that some people felt uncomfortable about this, so I deeply apologise.”
Distinguishing Between Promotional Assets and Released Games
To ease player worries about the core gaming portfolio, Hino drew a strict line between promotional event footage and actual game development. He insisted that critical creative pillars remain untouched by automation. “At our company, the parts that relate to the charm and individuality of the released works – such as scenarios, character designs, and basic settings – are all created by human hands,” Hino stated.
https://x.com/Sara_Return/status/2098683877422477653
Hino clarified that the studio’s broader strategy involves using automated tools strictly for backend workflow efficiency, such as translating human-made artwork into 3D polygons. The ultimate goal behind these trials, according to the studio head, is to streamline production cycles and reduce development time from five years down to two years. “Please rest assured that no simplistic AI-generated output data is included in the games that are released,” Hino emphasized. He admitted, however, that “it’s undeniable that this time, out of the desire to create a clear and flashy presentation, we ended up using AI in a wide variety of ways.” Level-5 now joins a growing list of major video game publishers—including Krafton, Square Enix, and EA—that have invested in generative technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Level-5 use generative AI in their actual video games?
No. According to CEO Akihiro Hino, all released games will feature scenarios, character designs, and core settings crafted entirely by human hands, with automated tools used strictly to digitize human creative work like converting original artwork into polygons.
Why was artificial intelligence used in the Level-5 showcase?
Hino stated that the studio incorporated AI experimental processing solely to make the event footage more spectacular and to test workflow efficiencies aimed at shortening development timelines.
How have fans reacted to the use of AI in gaming presentations?
Many fans on social media expressed frustration and concern upon spotting suspected undisclosed AI generation in the recent digital showcase, prompting the studio’s leadership to issue a public apology and clarification.
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