Topic: Level-5 Planning to Open American and European Divisions

[Crimm]

The publisher/developer of the Professor Layton series plans to begin publishing the games outside of Japan without Nintendo.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23190

 Level-5, an independent developer/publisher based in Fukuoka, Japan, announced their intentions to open up offices abroad. The company, known for their work on Dragon Quest VIII and XI as well as for their Professor Layton series, plans to start their own international subsidaries to handle publishing duties outside of Japan. Historically, Level-5 has allowed larger publishers, such as Nintendo and Sony, to handle publishing their titles internationally.    

The North American division, Level-5 International America Inc., will be based in Santa Monica, CA and will employ about ten people and is expected to be open by September. A European division will follow sometime in 2011.    

These expansion plans serve two goals. Level-5 will now be able to self-publish their lucrative franchises outside of Japan, greatly increasing their revinue.  In an interview with Nikkei Trendy, Level-5 President Akihiro Hino specifically mentioned the Layton series, which has proven to be an evergreen success in western markets, as one of the franchises for which Level-5 hopes to take over international publishing responsibilities. Level-5 also hopes to gain access to local development talent, and shape their brand so that it better appeals to western markets.

[UncleBob]

I hope this works out for them.

[TJ Spyke]

What will this mean for future Professor Layton games? They own the IP, so will they start publishing them in North America like they do in Japan, or will Nintendo continue publishing them?

[Crimm]

Their goal is to eventually take over the publishing of Layton titles in western markets.  That doesn't mean the NEXT Layton game, Nintendo already has dibs on that.  However, there are three Layton games due to come out in Japan, which might be their target.

[UncleBob]

I hope this increases the chances of the Professor Layton movie coming out here in the states.

[Shaymin]

Bring me the Ghibli game and I'll be set for life.

[Crimm]

Nintendo won't be thrilled though. Layton made them a lot of chedda.

[ShyGuy]

Every time I see the name Level-5 for a split second I think it's Factor5. Then I get a little sad.

[Crimm]

Just think about the on-foot parts of Rogue Squad III. You'll not miss it anymore.

[Ymeegod]

"You'll not miss it anymore."  You could just think "Lair".  :0.

Who is working on DQX?  I really hope it's them because I loved DQVIII.  Can't say much about DQIX, why does it take freaking 1 whole year to localize a game that's just TEXT. 

[Crimm]

DQX's developer has not been announced, however both the lead scenario designer and lead artist are Enix people, so it isn't unreasonable to infer that Square Enix is handling this one in-house.

For reference, those roles were filled by Level-5 on IX.