Titled Professor Layton: The First Movie (there will be others?), the flick is slated for January 2010 in Japan and will follow the adventures of Professor Layton and his young assistant, Luke. This isn't the series first foray into features. Last year, Level 5 announced a live action Professor Layton film.

New details have emerged about the Layton anime. It will be produced by Japanese studio TOHO and will get an entirely new story drafted by Level 5 president Akihiro Hino. Hino is the brains behind all the previous Layton games as well as directing the forthcoming Dragon Quest IX. The game's voice actors will reprise their roles for the feature animated films.

Besides the Layton anime, Level 5 does have a strong anime pedigree. The company is also collaborating with Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli for the upcoming Ninokuni: The Another World.

レイトン教授：１０年に劇場版アニメ化　大泉洋と堀北真希も出演　脚本は「ドラクエ９」開発者 [Mainichi] [Pic]

There are also large, two-handed swords that can damage enemies in a swift blow, but it's difficult to repeat the sword strikes in a rapid succession. For magic, there are two types ("Holy Magic" and "Spirit Magic"). Magic drains some of the character's health, and there are four types attributes for Spirit Magic: Fire, Water, Wind and Earth.

The last bit of info concerns winning battles with monsters. Players get things that they can use. For example, Famitsu says in the story part that players get a "Giant's Skull," but it's not known how that can be used. Maybe in the online part? Save that for the next installment of things developer Level 5 could tell us, but won't because the developer wants to draw out this game's promotion as long as possible so maybe you (yes, you!) buy the game. Stay tuned.

『白騎士物語-古の鼓動-』3つの新情報が判明 [Famitsu]

Characters include The White Knight, The Black Knight and the newly announced Dragon Knight.

Battle-wise, it's possible to freely register the commands into the function palettes that allow players to create and name your own combinations. Players can also create in-game alter egos that join the game as the main character's companion. Other sides confirmed the MO quest which was leaked in Famitsu.

There was a Q&A afterwards in which a room full of journalists could ask Motomura questions. Just because questions were asked that doesn't mean they were answered.

Question: For online text chat, how will that work for different languages? Will different regions play on different servers?
Answer: "We cannot disclose how we will separate the language barrier in the online mode."

Question: Is there going to be voice chat?
Answer: "We cannot answer at this time."

Question: Will there be mini-games style play that Level 5 is famous for?
Answer: "We cannot answer at this time."

Good thing there was a press conference. Game looks nice, though.

Behold.

Hit the jump for another look at White Knight Chronicles.

[2ch.net]

Just kidding! ROID's not really a gaming console, despite photographic evidence that would prove otherwise. It's merely a web portal that will sell games for the PC and mobile platforms. Yes, it's totally snoozeworthy and not news you can use.

But did you know that ROID can transform into a robot?! Zounds!

OK, it can't really do that either. Again, that's just another mock up from the wacky pranksters at Level 5; merely a joke, just like ROID's system specs.

The Level 5 Vision girls, however, that's no joke. O_o

Level 5 Vision 2008 [Impress Game Watch]

Level-5 announces Inazuma Eleven 2 for the Nintendo DS [Gamekyo]

The Latest Dragon Quest On Sale During New Year's Period = Tecmo Purchase "We Will Decide What To Do" — Square Enix President

On the 18th, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada responded in an interview that the latest entry in the popular game series Dragon Quest will go on sale during the New Year's period.

The Japanese New Year's period is January 1st to January 4th, but the original text doesn't get any more specific than "Early January" or "New Year's". Though, maybe he means around New Year's, who knows. And what's more, it's not explicitly clear that Wada is referring to DQIX, though Square Enix has stated several times that the still yet-to-be-dated game will be out this financial year — which ends in March. And what's this about Square Enix deciding what do to about the Tecmo buyout? Thought that Square Enix had rescinded its offer.

ドラクエ最新作、年明け発売へ＝テクモ買収は「今後判断」—スク・エニ社長 [Yahoo! News Japan]

The dev apparently has a little soirée planned for September 26 known as "Level5 Vision 2008." It's not, as far as we know, sponsored by one of its top-tier publishers like Square-Enix, Sony or Nintendo, so we'll temper our expectations. But we're certainly curious.

Level-5: 'wait for shocking announcements from Level-5!' [Gamekyo]

Since there's not an article on the game, let's check out Famitsu release calendar.

This section shows what games are coming out this December (12月 in Japanese). Do you see 白騎士物語? We don't. What about a game coming out on December 11th? Nothing!

Let's take a gander at the section that show game releases marked "TBA" or 発売日未定.

Ah! Look, there White Knight Story (白騎士物語). No release date and no price for this game. We're not saying it isn't coming out on December 11th — we're saying that this issue of Famitsu, which was rumored to dated the game, does not say when it's coming out. So, until there's something official announced, consider this game "TBA" and this Famitsu rumor smashed.

The game started out as an RPG with an innovative real-time combat system - although that was a couple of years ago. It might be a sudoku-based platform game by now.

Luke spotted an update from Level 5 a couple of days ago that suggested that the game had not been abandoned, and now Famitsu has been able to confirm that it will finally, finally, hit the streets of Japan on December 11th.

Wikipedia is listing a US and European release for sometime in 2009, although that seems to have been plucked from thin air. Import it is, then.

UPDATE: we still haven't seen any actual scans of this and were are going to pick up a real-world copy of Famitsu to check. Until then, take this with a pinch — nay, a handful — of salt.

Famitsu: White Knight Chronicles Hitting Japan December 11th [ScrawlFX via Joystiq]

White Knight Story [Level 5, via Wired]

Poor mobile games. Always the hope for the future! Always the laughing stock of the present. And fair enough, too. Cheaply made, rubbish to control, the vast majority of mobile games are a waste of everyone's time. Oh, unless you're Japanese, and pick up a Panasonic p906i. If you do, well, you'll be able to play Professor Layton. In widescreen, no less! And if you can't be arsed counting matchsticks, there's a nice-looking Gundam game on offer as well. Can have in West, please? Kind of bored of my 4th successive phone with a Worms clone.

Panasonic P906i [Product Page]

Hello, and thank you for reporting this. We are looking into the situation and will post a reply here when we know more.

Thanks!

Ace Attorney fans looking for fresh Nintendo DS adventures sprinkled with puzzle-solving would do well to familiarize themselves with Professor Layton, who will be arriving in the West in just a few short weeks. Brought to us by Level 5 (aka the "new Square Enix") by way of Nintendo, the series has been a smash hit in Japan, with the follow up to Professor Layton and the Curious Village hovering closer and to closer the million-sold mark overseas. Adventure games may not necessarily be my thing, but throw in some logic puzzles and you have a confirmed sale, Nintendo.

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.

And what about fellow Japanese RPG maker Square Enix's booth?

The game has been a certified hit overseas, regularly appearing in the top 30 Media Create software sales charts. Similar to other stealth Nintendo DS release, Nintendo Magic, the game is due to ship before the end of the year on December 3rd the same day as Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii.

Game developer Level 5 has been working almost two years on strategy RPG Jeanne d'Arc for the PSP. The game is based on life of Joan of Arc, who received visions from God and fought in the Hundred Years' War. She was later convicted of heresy and burned at the stake. It's a story that everyone knows, and it's a story that doesn't exactly lead to a suspensive game ending. No worries! Level 5 inform all:

On top of this history, we've added fantasy elements such as "The War of the Reapers", a great battle fought between man and demons. Since the ending of Jeanne's life is very well known, we wanted to surprise the players by making some changes to the ending as well.

Joan PSP Game [Siliconera]

Man in funny top hat and frock? Check. Classy looking woman in blue dress? Check. Eye candy with arrows? Check. Level 5's recent presser for its's upcoming Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village looks to be as mysterious as its in-game mind twisters.

Upcoming? No! Actually, the game is out in Japan today and out in America "someday." The game is a mix of narrative and puzzles. It was inspired by Level 5 CEO Akihiro Hino's love of Chiba University Professor Akira Tago's puzzle books. Tago supervised on the game as well.

Expect more Layton games as the series is a planned triology with work already starting on the second installment. Hit the jump for a smattering of Layton animated images and screen shots. This game looks truly delightful. Brian Ashcraft

The Mysterious Town [Game Watch]

Kotakuite Rafael wrote in to let us know about the cool bonuses included with his copy of the Rogue Galaxy demo. Not only did he get a relatively cool promo poster, but a sweet pirate flag! Who cares how the game turns out, that flag is bad ass.

Someday, I'm going to get off my lazy butt and join the PlayStation Underground. Unfortunately, the only time I ever give it a second thought is when someone else is basking in the rewards of being directly marketed to. Sigh. I'll forget about it a few minutes, anyway.

Thanks for the photos, Rafael! Michael McWhertor

Level 5 making new RPG [GameSpot]