Level-5 Officially Dissolves Level-5 Comcept Following Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Success

In a significant move for the Japanese game development sector, Level-5, celebrated for acclaimed franchises such as Fantasy Life and Professor Layton, has officially announced the dissolution of its subsidiary, Level-5 Comcept.

The decision, disclosed to shareholders on April 30, 2025, marks the end of a notable joint venture with industry veteran Keiji Inafune.

Level-5 Comcept played a crucial role in the creation of Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, one of Level-5’s high-profile titles for the Nintendo Switch. Level-5 Comcept was established as a collaborative subsidiary between Level-5 and Keiji Inafune, a legendary figure known for his work on the Mega Man series.

Inafune headed the team as they developed Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, an eagerly awaited life-simulation RPG that has recently garnered much attention in the gaming community.

Despite Inafune’s departure from the team in mid-2024, development continued smoothly, with the project team relocating to a new Osaka office in March 2024. Since the move, the Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time development group has thrived, benefiting from Level-5's support and resources.

The game itself launched to critical acclaim, receiving an impressive 36 out of 40 from Japanese gaming publication Famitsu.

This strong reception underscored Level-5’s ongoing influence in the life-sim and RPG genres on the Nintendo Switch, reinforcing their reputation for nurturing innovative, top-tier games. Level-5 explained the reasoning behind dissolving Level-5 Comcept in a formal statement, rewritten here: The company has been officially dissolved by shareholder resolution as of April 30, 2025.

Creditors are asked to submit any claims within a two-month period following this announcement.

Any claims submitted after the deadline will not be considered in the settlement process. With the subsidiary no longer needed following the successful handover and flourishing of the Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time team, Level-5 has found it appropriate to close Level-5 Comcept.

The developer has signaled confidence in the new Osaka office to spearhead ongoing and future projects.

This decisive move allows Level-5 to better allocate resources and streamline game development efforts for upcoming titles on the Nintendo Switch and beyond. Level-5’s enduring commitment to quality is evident through both its management decisions and consistent delivery of acclaimed software, as seen with the Fantasy Life and Professor Layton series.

As the studio looks toward the future, its impact on the Nintendo Switch platform continues to resonate with players and industry peers alike.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Level-5 Switch Fantasy Life i Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Fantasy Life Success The Girl Who Steals Time game development Level-5 Comcept Keiji Inafune Famitsu Professor Layton