Level-5
Level-5 business and news from across the web.- Level-5 tests employees knowledge of company resulting in significant pay risesLevel-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed in an interview that the company extensively tests employees on their knowledge of its games and philosophy. Those who perform well on these tests are rewarded with significant pay raises, indicating a focus on internal expertise and company alignment.
- 'Significant' Pay Rises Offered by Professor Layton Studio — if You Correctly Answer Quizzes About the Company's GamesProfessor Layton developer Level-5 is offering significant pay rises to potential employees who can correctly answer quizzes about the company's games. This unique hiring initiative aims to test candidates' knowledge of Level-5's game catalog.
CEO of major Japanese studio says employees get pay raises if they ace a quiz about its games, because that's…Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has implemented a unique pay raise system where employees can earn more money by passing quizzes about the company's games. Hino believes that deep knowledge of Level-5's titles is a genuine skill that increases employee efficiency and streamlines workflows, justifying the cost of the raises.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road reveals free Contenders for Glory DLCLevel-5 has announced the 'Contenders for Glory' DLC for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, set to release on July 3, 2026, as a free update. This DLC will introduce the Victory Road tournament, running from July 3 to July 23, and add a new difficulty level to Chronicle matches. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.
Vampire Survivors has a free content expansion, plus a Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC in Summer 2026Developer poncle has released a free content update for Vampire Survivors, version 1.15, which includes major quality-of-life improvements, new content like stages and characters, and various tweaks. Additionally, the 'Legacy of the Bloodmoon' DLC was announced for Summer 2026, serving as an expansion to 'Legacy of the Moonspell'. poncle also revealed plans for a new studio in Japan headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and a lineup of 'Survivaton' games.
5 of the best soccer anime shows to help kick off the World Cup in styleThis article lists five of the best soccer anime shows to watch, including Captain Tsubasa, Blue Lock, Giant Killing, Inazuma Eleven, and Aoashi. These series cover various aspects of the sport, from inspirational journeys to intense rivalries and even supernatural abilities, catering to fans looking for football-themed animation.
Inazuma Eleven: Cross release date set for JapanPublisher Level-5 and developer Aiming have announced that Inazuma Eleven: Cross will launch on June 9th for iOS and Android in Japan. The game is part of the popular soccer anime franchise and features characters like Mark Evans and Jude Sharp in the Japan National Team's 2026 uniform.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road fifth free update launches in JuneLevel-5 has announced the fifth free update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, launching on June 11th. This update, titled "New Kick-Off" DLC, introduces Seasonal Players for the online tournament, a new "Synergies" feature for team buffs, and a new Victory Road Route in Chronicle Mode. The update is available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Free Kick-Off DLC Adds Three Major FeaturesLevel-5 is releasing a free DLC update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road on June 11, 2026, adding new features to Chronicle Mode and Victory Road Online Tournament. The update includes the Destin Billows storyline in Chronicle Mode and introduces Synergies for team perks, alongside balancing restrictions for online tournaments.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road reveals free “New Kick‑Off” DLCLevel-5 has announced the "New Kick-Off" DLC for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, launching on June 11, 2026, for Nintendo Switch. This update introduces the "Synergies" feature for team-wide buffs and adds the Victory Road Route to Chronicle Mode, following the story of Destin Billows. New trailers showcase team-building mechanics and details for the Victory Road Tournament.- Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road fifth free major update ‘New Kick-Off DLC’ launches June 11LEVEL-5 will release the fifth free major update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, titled 'New Kick-Off DLC,' on June 11. This update adds new content to the game.
Inazuma Eleven INA-DAI Stream Focuses on 2 GamesLevel-5 will host an Inazuma Eleven INA-DAI presentation on May 29, 2026, to provide updates on Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road and the new mobile game Inazuma Eleven: Cross. Victory Road is currently available on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC, with ongoing content updates. Inazuma Eleven: Cross is set for a Japanese mobile release in June 2026, with a worldwide launch date yet to be announced.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Gift Codes – full listThis guide provides a full list of active gift codes for Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, a Nintendo Switch title developed by Level-5. The codes offer various in-game items and do not have expiration dates. Instructions on how to redeem these codes within the game are also included.- Inazuma Eleven ‘INA-DAI’ live stream set for May 29LEVEL-5 will host a live stream event called 'INA-DAI' on May 29th at 4:00 PM JST to share news regarding the Inazuma Eleven series. The stream is expected to provide updates on the franchise's future.
Level-5 criticised for anti-piracy statement while not having legal alternative to play back catalogueLevel-5 has faced criticism for issuing an anti-piracy statement while failing to provide legal avenues for international fans to access its older titles, such as the Yo-kai Watch series. Fans point out the lack of global releases and modern re-releases, making piracy the only option for many outside of Japan.
Level-5 Issued Statement on Pirating Roms of Its GamesLevel-5 has issued a statement addressing the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of its game software, warning of legal action against copyright infringement. The company acknowledges awareness of piracy and asks the community to refrain from using pirated copies. This comes as some of Level-5's titles, like Yo-kai Watch 3, are scarce or unavailable in certain regions, driving up prices for physical copies.
"We Will Continue To Pay Close Attention" - Level-5 Issues A Warning Against PiracyDeveloper Level-5 has issued a strong warning against the piracy and illegal distribution of its game software. The company stated it will actively monitor for copyright infringement and take legal action, including content removals and account suspensions. Level-5 also urged its community to refrain from downloading or using pirated copies of their games.- Roguelike deckbuilder Serial World releases first public demo for Steam Deckbuilders Fest 2026The roguelike deckbuilder Serial World has released its first public demo, coinciding with the Steam Deckbuilders Fest. Developed by Serial Project, a studio founded by former Level-5 developers, and published by Kakehashi Games, the demo is available on Steam for PC and Steam Deck until May 11th. The game features turn-based combat and deck-building mechanics in a colorful world.
- Serial World limited-time demo now availableKakehashi Games and developer Serial Project have announced that a limited-time demo for Serial World is now available. Serial Project is a two-person studio founded by former LEVEL-5 employees.
The 10 best RPGs for kids if you're looking for family-friendly gaming sessionsThis guide highlights ten role-playing games suitable for children, focusing on family-friendly experiences. The selection includes titles like Monster Hunter Stories 3, Costume Quest 2, and Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, emphasizing accessible gameplay and engaging narratives for younger players across various modern platforms.