Level-5 has reportedly all but shut down its operations in North America, casting doubt on the future of brands such as Ni no Kuni in western markets.
Level-5 Shutters US Operations
That’s at least according to sources familiar with the situation at the Japanese developer, which claim that Level-5 International America and spin-off outfit Level-5 Abby, started winding down operations in mid-2019, which included letting go the majority of staff at both offices.
It’s currently unknown exactly how many people were affected by the layoffs, and no clear reason for the decision was given. However, sources close to Abby say that individuals were “given every indication” that the company would besetting its doors.
Elsewhere, Yukari Hayakawa, COO of Level-5 Abby and head of day-to-day operations, reportedly departed the studio earlier in the year, although her positions is still listed on LinkedIn. Back in July last year, Level-5 International America revealed that it was shuttering its design department, with two employees laid off at the time.
As such, this puts the future of western releases of future Level-5 titles in doubt, and one source claims that there are no firm plans to release anymore games from the company outside of Japan.
Level-5 found huge success in western markets with Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.
[Source – GI.biz]