Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has apologised for making fans of the studio ‘uncomfortable’ due to the heavy use of Generative AI in a recent games showcase.
The Level-5 Vision 2026 presentation was supposed to be a triumph for the studio as it revealed more of upcoming titles like Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, Decapolice, Holy Horror Mansion, and a surpriseYo-kai Watch 2 remake.
Instead, what fans found was a showcase that had been fed through a Generative AI lens. Not only did the showcase feature a cartoon version of Hino made with AI, wandering through uncanny AI versions of beloved game worlds, Hino has now also confirmed the showcase featured experimental AI to make it ‘more spectacular.’
Level-5 CEO apologises for Generative AI use in showcase – quick links
How Level-5 used Generative AI to change its showcase
Per Hino (via Google Translate), the showcase was altered by using ‘processing that also served as an experiment using the latest AI.’
As some fans later pointed out, the Generative AI seemingly altered gameplay footage and even character designs, with discrepancies between released trailers.
‘It appears that some people felt uncomfortable about this, so I deeply apologise,’ Hino said.
While apologising, he did also outline the reasons why the studio uses Generative AI, with language to suggest it will continue using the technology in future.
‘What we’re aiming for in terms of efficiency through AI is mainly the digitisation of creative work made by people, for example, accurately converting original artwork into polygons and such,’ Hino said. ‘Please rest assured that no simplistic AI-generated output data is included in the games that are released.’
‘On the contrary, thanks to the time created by AI efficiency, creators are now able to dedicate more time to the essence of creation, and I believe the finished products are turning out to a level that will satisfy everyone even more than before. Ultimately, under the plan to shorten the current 5-year development period for major titles to 2 years, we are in the stage of trial and error, and struggling forward.’
‘That said, 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. We will take this as a lesson and carry it forward to the next one, so please look forward to Level Five’s next presentation.’
In essence, Hino believes Generative AI will serve an important function at Level-5, to ensure greater efficiency and to shorten the development cycles of games.
This reassurance may not be enough to address the major concerns of fans, who have overwhelmingly expressed disappointment in Level-5 following its games showcase, despite earlier excitement about some reveals.
Level-5’s showcase causes overwhelming disappointment online
While Hino believes the showcase allowed for a ‘more spectacular’ experience, what’s actually resulted is a wave of criticism for the studio and seeming plans to boycott upcoming releases – even the highly anticipated Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.
In the wake of the showcase, social media has been flooded with a shared malaise for Level-5’s output, with a particular lamentation about the quality and artistic merit of previous titles, and how the studio’s use of Generative AI degrades the effort and talent behind these releases.
One popular video posted to YouTube is simply titled: ‘Level-5 Have Embarrassed Themselves On A Massive Scale.’ Comments for the video feature fans of Yo-kai Watch and Professor Layton apologising to each other for the events of the showcase, with some claiming Level-5 has now burned through its fan goodwill.
One of the most popular responses to Hino’s apology on X criticises the nature of Generative AI, and expresses a clear, shared disappointment that an artistic studio like Level-5 would use the technology at all.
‘Generative AI is trained on the stolen works of countless artists by tech companies to profit off their work, with the intent of replacing artists,’ user Samuel Deats wrote. ‘By using it you replaced artists. You’re profiting off of the skill of artists whose work has been stolen to power this software.’
Another popular response is simply a meme of Sonic the Hedgehog sitting on a throne of Pepsi, with the caption: ‘Your AI slop bores me.’
Overwhelmingly, the response to the Level-5 showcase and Hino’s subsequent comments have been negative, with fans of Level-5’s work, and particularly fans of Yo-kai Watch and Professor Layton decrying the studio for seemingly tarnishing the legacy of these franchises with Generative AI use. They have expressed severe disappointment and a loss of trust, while also claiming they will avoid supporting future releases from the studio.
Hino has pledged to learn lessons from this response, but with Generative AI seemingly now a major part of the studio’s operations and plans for efficiency, whether the outcry will influence future change remains to be seen.
