“Basically, from here on out, we want to make our games totally compatible with smart phones,” Level-5 founder Akihiro Hino recently told Nikkei Trendy. Hino also said it was necessary to bring console versions over, adding that recently children have been playing games on the smartphone.
Yo-Kai Watch Is Different Because Its Hero Is So Damn Normal
Yo-kai Watch follows the adventures of a young boy, a magical watch, and a whole lot of yokai. Magical items are not new. Yokai are Japan’s traditional ghouls and goblins. So what makes Yo-Kai so different? Its hero.
Running Your Own Game Company Seems Exhausting
Maybe you have fantasies of becoming a famous game creator with your own game studio. You should also have fantasies of not sleeping.
How Yokai Watch Was Engineered To Be A Massive Hit
Yokai Watch, Level 5's popular spirit collecting game, is still going strong, with the game remaining in Japan's video game sales top 10 list for nearly a year. There's no catching lightning in a bottle like with Pokémon, but according to developer Level 5, if you really try, you can get pretty close.
The Video Game Anime That's Taking Japan by Storm
This week, I spent four mornings out and about. I went to store after store. My mission was to locate toys from a popular anime. And boy, did I ever fail.
More 2014 Resolutions From Japanese Game Developers
2013 was a great year for gaming. After what was accomplished this year, let's see what Japanese game developers hope to do in 2014.
Remember when Level-5 said it made the last Professor Layton starring the titular professor? Well, turns out Level-5 honcho Akihiro Hino is happy how the last Layton game turned out and recently said (via ANN), "I'm thinking I want to make a new Layton."
Akihiro Hino, president of Japanese studio Level-5, recently told Nikkei Trendy that things were still in the planning stages when asked if his studio was doing a PS4 title. "We might be able to announce something shortly," said Hino.
Why Level-5 Is So Keen To Make More Studio Ghibli Games
Hayao Miyazaki isn't just an animator, a filmmaker, or a director. He's a cultural institution. Japanese kids grow up on his films. They are part of the country's zeitgeist. Meeting Miyazaki must be quite an experience, even when you are the biggest game developer in Japan. Make that especially when you are a famed…
Professor Layton Mastermind Dreams of Skyrim and Head Mounted Displays
Continuing their interview series from last week, Weekly Famitsu asked a group of game developers on their ideas and hopes for the future of gaming. Among the gaming bigs this week was Level-5 honcho, Akihiro Hino, who expressed his wish to make a new open world game.
Watch as This Crappy Comic Disappear from Your Very Eyes
Akihiro Hino, boss of game maker Level-5, is responsible for Gundam Age. And Gundam Age is a bit crap, so everyone hates it. Want to see just how unpopular it is?
Gundam in Awesome Toy Trailer Form
Game trailers? Whatever. All the cool kids like watching figurine trailers, because there's something fist pumping about watching moving images of plastic mecha flying through the air.
One of Japan's Biggest Developers Will Be Smaller at the Tokyo Game Show
Year after year, Level-5 is one of the biggest draws at the Tokyo Game Show. Except this year.
When Gundam Meets Professor Layton
Well, Professor Layton's creator, that is. Level-5 honcho Akihiro Hino is penning the new Gundam cartoon series, Mobile Suit Gundam Age.
Don't Worry, Gundam Mechas Won't Talk
Level-5, best known for its talking role-playing games and Professor Layton puzzle games, is behind the new Gundam series called Mobile Suit Gundam Age. Does that mean the giant mecha will speak?
Is Japan Excited about Wii U?
The Wii U is Nintendo's new console. You might be excited about it. You might not be. But what do Famitsu readers think?
Let's Look at Plastic Mechs!
There's a new Gundam series, penned by Professor Layton designer Akihiro Hino. It's dubbed Gundam Age. New Gundam means new Gundam toys.
Professor Layton Studio Making Gundam Game
Makes sense! Especially seeing how Layton designer Akihiro Hino is penning the story for new Gundam series, Gundam Age. His studio, Level-5, is also working on a new Gundam RPG for unspecified hardware.
First Professor Layton, Now Gundam
Professor Layton designer Akihiro Hino will be penning the story for the upcoming Gundam series, Gundam Age. [JEFusion]
Making Video Games Is A Harsh Mistress
Five years ago, Akihiro Hino was coming off designing, writing, producing and directing two role-playing games, Rogue Galaxy and Jeanne d'Arc. He was young, ruddy and full of life. Then, the unthinkable happened. His games started taking over the entire country.
