Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino apologized for using AI in its Vision 2026 II Dream presentation, emphasizing human-created game elements while acknowledging the technology’s role in streamlining development. The event, streamed on Thursday, showcased titles like Professor Layton and Inazuma Eleven.
Level 5’s CEO, Akihiro Hino, addressed concerns about artificial intelligence during the company’s Vision 2026 II Dream presentation, which aired on Thursday. The event, streamed online and later analyzed by fans and critics, featured a mix of game reveals and behind-the-scenes content. Hino issued a statement a day later, clarifying the company’s approach to AI and its impact on creative processes.
AI in Presentation: Experimentation, Not Replacement
Hino described the AI used in the presentation as an experiment aimed at creating a phenomenal visual experience. He stated, We incorporated cutting-edge AI that also served as an experiment, in our earnest desire to make a phenomenal presentation. We understand this may have offended some, and we sincerely apologize.
The CEO emphasized that AI was not used to generate core game elements like scenarios, character designs, or world-building, which he stated were created entirely by humans.
The presentation included a short making-of video for Professor Layton and the Curious Village and previews of upcoming titles such as HOLY HORROR MANSION and Inazuma Eleven: Cross. Hino noted that AI’s role was limited to converting human-made assets into digital formats, such as polygon models, to improve efficiency. The time saved by using AI in converting human-made assets into digital assets has been used in furthering creative processes at the studio, he said.
Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino Addresses Use of AI
Despite the clarification, some fans expressed unease about the company’s growing reliance on AI. Akihiro Hino’s X (formerly Twitter) avatar, which changed depending on the game being showcased, sparked particular debate. Due to how we used AI for the video editing of the broadcast, we’ve noticed some concerns have been raised regarding the actual content of our games,
Hino wrote. He reiterated that none of our games will contain carelessly generated assets.
Development Goals and Trial-and-Error Phase
Hino outlined Level 5’s broader ambitions to reduce the development cycle for major titles from five years to two. We are in a testing and refinement phase to achieve our goal of reducing the current five-year development cycle for major titles to just two years,
he said. This goal, he added, is part of a trial-and-error process to balance efficiency with creative integrity.
The CEO acknowledged that the use of AI in the presentation may have offended some but stressed that the company’s focus remains on the true essence of creation. The efficiency of AI has allowed our creative team to spend more time on the true essence of creation,
he said. I believe this will allow our finished titles to reach a level of quality that will satisfy our players.
Level 5’s statement also addressed the backlash directly. We understand this may have offended some, and we sincerely apologize,
Hino said. He added that the company would take this as a lesson and apply it to future efforts, though he did not specify how AI would be integrated moving forward.
LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino Comments on AI Usage at
What Comes Next for Level 5?
With the Vision 2026 II Dream presentation concluded, the gaming community is watching how Level 5 balances AI adoption with its traditional emphasis on human creativity. The company’s next major event will likely provide more clarity on its approach. Hino’s comments suggest a cautious, iterative path forward, but the long-term implications of AI in game development remain uncertain.
For now, Level 5’s focus appears to be on refining its AI tools rather than replacing human input. We will take this as a lesson and apply it to future efforts,
Hino said. The next step, as outlined in the sources, is the company’s upcoming presentation, which will be closely scrutinized for signs of AI’s evolving role in its creative process.
The nearly one-hour-long Level 5 Vision 2026 II Dream
presentation showcased the video game titles Yōkai Watch 2: Haunted Domain, Pufflings: Journey Through a Fantasy World, DECAPOLICE, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold (The Snack World: Trejarers), HOLY HORROR MANSION, Inazuma Eleven: Cross, Inazuma Eleven Rekka no Kakumei (Revolution of Fire), and Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Layton Kyōju to Fushigi na Machi). The company presented a short making-of video for Professor Layton and the Curious Village and previewed its Tokyo Game Show 2026 booth.
The full presentation is available on the Level 5 YouTube channel with English and Simplified Chinese subtitles: Sources: Akihiro Hino’s X/Twitter account, Level 5’s YouTube channel, Level 5’s website.
