Level-5, a renowned name in the video game industry known for beloved franchises and consistent innovation, recently became the center of discussion regarding artificial intelligence (AI) in game development.
Akihiro Hino, President and CEO of Level-5, took to social network X (formerly Twitter) to address widespread debate fueled by a viral post suggesting the studio relies on AI for as much as 90% of its coding.
These claims circulated rapidly, raising questions about the studio’s actual practices and the broader industry trend.
In an extensive statement posted to X, Hino clarified the company’s position and provided essential insight into the present use and future implications of AI within Level-5 and the game development landscape as a whole.
According to Hino, the assertion that "Level-5 lets AI write 80–90% of its programming code" drastically misrepresents their workflow.
In his words, “Many game developers are already adopting AI to improve efficiency—even if they do not openly share this fact.
The idea that our studio relies on AI for the majority of our code is fundamentally false.” He explained that while AI is increasingly integral for streamlining certain development processes, the technology has not replaced the creative and technical expertise of the development team. Hino pointed out that the viral misinformation stemmed from a specific context involving an upcoming, unreleased game with an AI-centric theme, leading to confusion about Level-5’s actual use of the technology.
He stressed, “If we genuinely had the ability to create a title with 80–90% of its code written by AI, we would be at a technological forefront that even AI researchers would seek to join.
The industry is not at that point yet.” Despite distancing the studio from exaggerated claims, Hino acknowledged AI’s real, growing role.
He remarked that the integration of AI is effectively shortening development timescales, with potential to revolutionize the timeline for AAA games: “Where blockbuster projects might have required five to ten years, we may soon see high-quality releases within two years.” Addressing concerns that AI tools could be perceived negatively—akin to plagiarism—Hino urged the industry and public to adopt a nuanced perspective.
"AI, like any tool, depends on how it is used.
It can enrich the creative process when applied responsibly," he stated, drawing analogies to everyday objects that serve dual purposes.
Hino expressed his ambition to see the medium grow, aspiring to create visionary games that surpass current AAA standards.
He concluded with a call for understanding: “AI is a tool guided by human creators.
Fostering innovation rather than fearing progress will propel both developers and players forward.” Level-5, recognized for its work on titles such as "Professor Layton," "Yo-kai Watch," and several highly regarded projects on the Nintendo Switch and other Nintendo platforms, remains at the vanguard of industry advancements.
As the conversation around AI and game development evolves, Level-5’s position offers rare, candid insight from one of the industry’s leading voices.
Akihiro Hino, President and CEO of Level-5, took to social network X (formerly Twitter) to address widespread debate fueled by a viral post suggesting the studio relies on AI for as much as 90% of its coding.
These claims circulated rapidly, raising questions about the studio’s actual practices and the broader industry trend.
In an extensive statement posted to X, Hino clarified the company’s position and provided essential insight into the present use and future implications of AI within Level-5 and the game development landscape as a whole.
According to Hino, the assertion that "Level-5 lets AI write 80–90% of its programming code" drastically misrepresents their workflow.
In his words, “Many game developers are already adopting AI to improve efficiency—even if they do not openly share this fact.
The idea that our studio relies on AI for the majority of our code is fundamentally false.” He explained that while AI is increasingly integral for streamlining certain development processes, the technology has not replaced the creative and technical expertise of the development team. Hino pointed out that the viral misinformation stemmed from a specific context involving an upcoming, unreleased game with an AI-centric theme, leading to confusion about Level-5’s actual use of the technology.
He stressed, “If we genuinely had the ability to create a title with 80–90% of its code written by AI, we would be at a technological forefront that even AI researchers would seek to join.
The industry is not at that point yet.” Despite distancing the studio from exaggerated claims, Hino acknowledged AI’s real, growing role.
He remarked that the integration of AI is effectively shortening development timescales, with potential to revolutionize the timeline for AAA games: “Where blockbuster projects might have required five to ten years, we may soon see high-quality releases within two years.” Addressing concerns that AI tools could be perceived negatively—akin to plagiarism—Hino urged the industry and public to adopt a nuanced perspective.
"AI, like any tool, depends on how it is used.
It can enrich the creative process when applied responsibly," he stated, drawing analogies to everyday objects that serve dual purposes.
Hino expressed his ambition to see the medium grow, aspiring to create visionary games that surpass current AAA standards.
He concluded with a call for understanding: “AI is a tool guided by human creators.
Fostering innovation rather than fearing progress will propel both developers and players forward.” Level-5, recognized for its work on titles such as "Professor Layton," "Yo-kai Watch," and several highly regarded projects on the Nintendo Switch and other Nintendo platforms, remains at the vanguard of industry advancements.
As the conversation around AI and game development evolves, Level-5’s position offers rare, candid insight from one of the industry’s leading voices.
