japan
Just look at Level 5 go! The company behind those
Professor Layton games, ponied up for slapping its name on a soccer stadium for J League team
Avispa Fukuoka. For US$287,000 a year, the J League stadium will be dubbed "Level 5 Stadium." The contract is for a three year lease, starting March 1, 2008 and ending February 28, 2011. Says Fukuoka major Hiroshi Yoshida:
I'm very happy about Level 5's decision. Fukuoka's position in the gaming industry is rising every year. The involvement of the youth is increasing. The meaning of this naming rights is that Fukuoka is putting greater effort in the gaming world, and this is a symbol of that.
Another interesting thing to consider: This year, Level 5 is releasing a soccer RPG called
Inazuma Eleven for the Nintendo DS. If anything, this stadium seems to be a very, very clever marketing ploy.
Level 5 Stadium [Famitsu]
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Besides a
new Professor Layton game, Level5 also announced a soccer RPG calledd
Inazuma Eleven. The game centers around a junior high school team that has gotten an exchange student from Australia. Original teams can be created and exchanged with friends via Wi-Fi. Players use the touch pen to draw lines for passing and tap the touch screen to shoot. There are a thousand-plus characters as well! The game features comical, unrealistic soccer moves like the "God Hand" in which a huge hand blocks the goal. The music is being done by Yasunori Mitsuda, who worked on
Chrono Trigger before getting ulcers. While the release date hasn't been announced, TGS attendees have an opportunity to snag a demo cartridge that not only features
Inazuma Eleven but also an original mini story
Professor Layton and the London Holiday. Called "Level5 Premium Silver," expect this limited edition cart to be snapped up FAST!
Level5's Soccer Game [Famitsu]
Kotaku
