A new game, a new promotion, and potentially a new movie are headed to Japan. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20403 At the Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute premier event in Japan, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino provided details on the future of the Professor Layton franchise. The next game in the franchise will be called "Kiseki no Kamen," or "Miracle Mask." There were also hints given about a future movie in the franchise to follow the first movie, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, releasing in Japan this December.
Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute represents a "second season" in the Layton series, and Miracle Mask would be the second game in that season. Hino stated that a follow-up movie to Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva would be coming before a third game in the new season would be released, if it were to be made.
Also announced was a major promotional tie-in with McDonalds. Customers will soon be able to bring their DS to participating McDonalds and download three original puzzles, view art from Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, and take a Professor Layton-themed quiz. This promotion will run for twenty days, starting January 8. A copy of Professor Layton and the Devil's Flute is required for these additional puzzles.
No release date for future Layton titles in North America has been announced. Currently, North America has two of the four existing Professor Layton games available in Japan. Also, no release date for Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva in North America has been announced.