Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has confirmed that the studio plans to make games for the Nintendo Switch, but admits that he's still not sure how to make the most of the console's unique setup.
Level-5 has been a staunch supporter of Nintendo systems in the past, creating the Professor Layton franchise for the DS and 3DS systems, as well as series such as Inazuma Eleven and of course the million-selling Yo-Kai Watch. However, despite this close association the company remains independent and has also produced content for rival consoles, as well as smartphones.
Hino states that his company won't have any titles available for the console's launch, which takes place next March:
We plan to make games for Nintendo Switch, but I think it's very important to find out the best way to get the most out of the console. For that reason, we won't have any titles at launch, but we'll work with it as soon as we figure out how to take advantage of it.
Yo-Kai Watch has been a massive success for Level-5 and Nintendo, and it would be fair to say that a sequel of some sorts should be coming to the Switch. Hino's comments are interesting as it appears to suggest that Level-5 hasn't had much hands-on time with the console - or perhaps it has and its developers remain unsure of how best to exploit its special features.
Let us know your thoughts by posting a comment below.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 38
Didn't see that coming.
I loved Fantasy Life. Hope they will continue that franchise not only on mobile.
Layton Switch pls
@G-Boy Yeah, me neither. But then again, they've made a lot of mobile-optimized touchscreen based games for Nintendo's handhelds. The Switch's console level power, and commitment to home console level games, and simplicity might be presenting an early challenge, not just in terms of concept, but financially as well.
Then, one by one, those 50 or so devs/publishers state the same thing in different words and bam, nintendo only has themselves to rely on for content for the switch, history repeats itself and nintendo loses out on sales, they bleed money, finally exiting the console business going third party and existing as a shell of its former self!!!!!! Arrrggghhh!!!!!!!
Fyi it's Halloween 😊
Edit: (Misread what article said)
May be they simply don't plan to use the specific features of the Switch for any of their in-development titles. In which case, no point releasing one as a launch title, and risk being accused of failing to be a good showcase game for the Switch.
They probably want to see which of their franchises can work on the system, since most of their games takes advantage of the dual screen of the DS/3DS, which is something that the Switch lacks
@MegaMari0 Wohohoho, slow down buddy. Level-5 is mostly a smartphone/(3)DS developer, so they aren't really into developing on HD consoles that lacks touch controls.
@NintendoFan4Lyf Yeah, but isn't Sony who owns the IP? I really don't know.
This seems to be more of a continuation of the fact that the 3DS isn't ending with the launch of the Switch... Level-5 have always been more focused on the 3DS than on any other console, and that's not going to change with the Switch... they'll get round to releasing games on the Switch eventually, but 3DS is still their priority for the time being.
Translation:
Nintendo have once again unveiled a console no one knows what to do with, once we figure out what the hell this thing does, we'll make games for it!
Yokai Watch in HD or Fantasy Life 3 ?
Level 5 quite smart enough to render the trees, bushes and environments.
That's what happens when you keep your cards so close to your chest. Developers are left with little time to have games ready for launch.
@DragonEleven @Nonno_Umby @CircuitWrangler3
I'm with you three. This isn't about taking advantage of weird controls or technical aspects of the new platform. It's about meeting their current market where it is and determining the scale of a project necessary for profit.
They could make a $10 million dollar Layton game over two years and find that Switch owners aren't interested in that type of portable game but want more console oriented games even on the go. It's especially important to decide when to transfer those resources over from 3DS games which pay the bills for now.
For all those saying the Switch is nothing new, here is a bit of evidence to the contrary.
Likely Nintendo will benefit more than third parties from reducing down to one primary dedicated gaming platform because they'll take the bigger risk. There's plenty of work and precedent to set in terms or interface and play style to get this to work on both home and away style gaming.
Love Level 5. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with.
A port of Fantasy Life would be amazing.
Luigi's Mansion 3 and Fantasy Life 3, please!
Hopefully they will bring out some nice ans exclusive rpgs. I doubt yo kai would fit. It ia tailored towards a dual screen and touch controls.
@TruenoGT What if it's another Wii U? Level 5 could get burned badly if they put millions into a game for a system that ends up like Wii U.
Some story-focused RPG like Ni no Kuni would be nice.
How about just testing the waters with a smaller budget title and work from there.
Ni No Kuni 2 would do quite well on Nintendo. I think it's probably agreed to be a PS exclusive though, like the first.
Really weird comment to be honest. It's the first Nintendo machine in ages where you don't have to think how to make a game 'fit' the hardware. Just make a great game without gimmicks.
Not surprising: they had the same attitude with the 3DS and the PS4. Better to be safe than sorry because they could always cancel a game early enough if the sales aren't there.
@TruenoGT "However, it's up to Nintendo to knock it out of the park at launch, otherwise they'll either stick to 3DS as long as possible and probably move to mobile entirely instead of Switch."
Yup. The 3DS launch didn't go so well, and that hurt publishers like Level 5, leading to cancelled projects and hesitation from both third parties and consumers alike. If Nintendo messes up with Switch, it might be game over for good.
@aaronsullivan What's interesting is that Damo quoted the last 2 lines in an interview about Ni No Kuni 2 - buy a PS3 to play the first game, your kids will thank you - without ever mentioning Ni No Kuni 2. If Switch needed to show it's a home console NNK1+2 would make a nice bundle.
http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/10/ni_no_kuni_ii_finally_gets_a_mention_as_developer_reveals_kingdom_building
Actually interview quote -
http://www.siliconera.com/2016/10/31/level-5-making-games-nintendo-switch-ni-no-kuni-ii-benefits-jump-ps4/
This past Friday, while celebrating the XXII Salon de Manga de Barcelona, we had a chance to speak with Akihiro Hino, President and CEO of Level -5, creators of popular series like Inazuma Eleven, Yo-kai Watch, and Ni no Kuni.’
Upon being asked about what new features Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom will have in respect to its predecessor, he told us the following: “There will be many new features. Solely for the fact that is going from PlayStation 3 to PlayStation 4, and it wont be a simple RPG, we will introduce a new Kingdom Creating System. So yes, there will be many Differences.”
We also asked him if they will be working on The Switch, Nintendo’s new console, taking into account the long relationship that Level-5 had with previous Nintendo portable consoles. “We intend to make games for the Nintendo Switch, but i think that it’s very important to get the most out of the console. For that reason, there surely wont be a title of ours on launch, but when we find the way to take advantage of it, we will work with it.”
______________________________________________________
Ni No Kuni 2 has been reported as being a PS4 exclusive, but also not.
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/12/07/ni-no-kuni-2-ps4-timed-exclusive/
http://www.idigitaltimes.com/ni-no-kuni-2-release-date-news-ps4-exclusive-could-eventually-hit-other-platforms-495909
My guess is that L5 is trying to figure out how to implement the Switch's IR motion controls, since the Switch's touch screen can't be used when it is docked.
For those saying the first Ni No Kuni was exclusive to Sony, it was also release on the DS in japan.
BOOOOOOM!
First one to bail the ship is.
LEVEL5
I'll say EA is the next.
Lol. Code for "We are waiting for the Switch sales before we do s&@t".
Layton on Switch! It shouldn't just happen - it NEEDS to happen.
That's cool anytime for a Level-5 game on the NS would be brill.
the main reason for this is definitely because the lack of dual screen which many 3rd party 3ds games took great advantage of.... i hope nintendo release a new new 3ds in the future lol
Fantasy Life Switch version!
This isn't a great sign as a lack of third party launch games could devastate the Switch's launch, especially if this isn't then shortly followed by a slew of great games.
However, it's quite possible that the Switch is just a bit different to the last handheld & the current generation of consoles & will take some studios a little time to get used to. This happens to most other consoles too, the huge devs release at launch & the smaller ones ship out filler until they're used to the tech.
No publisher or developer is going to straight say they've decided to not support the Switch. At this point, pretty much everyone has pledged their "support" for the Switch.
Every publisher is doing the same thing, say they are going to support the Switch, see if the Switch actually sells enough to be worth supporting, than start developing games for it if it does sell enough.
No publisher or developer feels obligated to make a game for the Switch no matter what unless Nintendo directly pays them for it, and they are in no way obligated to make a game for the Switch no matter what just because they've formerly pledged their support for it.
@Ryu_Niiyama ..Fantasy Life. One of the Finest games on 3ds.
Lady Layton, obviously!
I neeeeed fantasy life on the switch!!! It would be amazing. I am still playing it on my ds it is endless !
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