The CEO of Level-5, the renowned developer behind beloved family-friendly titles like Professor Layton, Ni No Kuni, and Yokai Watch, has expressed an unexpected desire to create a violent and erotic video game in the future. Akihiro Hino, the CEO of Level-5, recently spoke to Denfaminico Gamer about his creative aspirations, stating that while it is his responsibility to continue making friendlier games for the studio, he also harbors a “dark abnormal world” within him.
Hino humorously shared his inclination towards creating erotic and adult-oriented games, acknowledging the existence of an unconventional side to his creative imagination. He admitted to having a desire to explore this “abnormal world” but reassured that he currently focuses on developing games aligned with his righteous mindset. However, deep down, he expressed a genuine curiosity and longing to delve into that darker realm.
While Level-5’s games have included darker elements in the past, such as the yokai creatures in Yokai Watch, which are based on ghosts and demons from Japanese mythology, and the emotionally impactful storylines of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Hino desires to bring these elements to the forefront. He believes that, once Level-5 establishes stability and he has the creative freedom to pursue his own projects, he will eventually explore that “dark, abnormal world” and create games that encompass eroticism and violence.
Level-5 is known for its successful franchises, including Inazuma Eleven and Fantasy Life, with new installments set to release in 2024. The studio is also working on two new IPs, DecaPolice and Ushiro, alongside the highly anticipated Professor Layton and The New World of Steam, the first game in the series for the Nintendo Switch.
Hino’s revelation adds an intriguing layer to Level-5’s future endeavors. While the studio has built a reputation for creating charming and family-friendly games, it appears that Hino’s personal creative ambitions may lead to the exploration of more mature and unconventional themes in their future projects. Fans of Level-5 can look forward to seeing how the studio evolves and embraces this darker side, as Hino’s desire to visit that “abnormal world” remains a tantalizing prospect for the future.
Source: IGN
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