Level-5 is changing how it rewards its staff, tying pay raises directly to knowledge of its own game library. This shift matters because it signals a studio-wide push to deepen employee engagement with its franchises, including the upcoming title. Buyers of Level-5 games may see more consistent quality as staff incentives align with product familiarity.
CEO Akihiro Hino treats franchise knowledge as a formal skill to boost workflow
The developer, known for the Professor Layton series, announced this policy alongside news of its next major release. CEO Akihiro Hino explained that the company now treats knowledge of its titles as a formal skill. This internal valuation aims to improve workflow efficiency across the entire organization.
Employees who score high on content knowledge tests receive a pay raise of an undisclosed amount. The policy applies to all staff members, regardless of their career level or tenure. Hino confirmed that new hires are included in this fair treatment structure.
The studio plans to raise the bonus amount further in the future as the policy matures. Level-5 has no plans to expand its workforce beyond its current size of roughly 320 employees. This focus on depth over breadth supports the intensive development of its core intellectual properties.
Level-5 is currently developing Professor Layton and the New World, the eighth main entry in the series. The game is scheduled for release in 2026 on Switch, Switch 2, PS5, and PC. This multi-platform launch ensures the title reaches the broadest possible audience upon release.
Source: VideoGameChronicles
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