Level Five, Under Fire for Generative AI Use, Draws Crowds for Demos at Tokyo Game Show 2026

Although the company faced criticism because generative AI was used in pre-released booth concept art, no exhibits that were clearly identifiable as generative AI products were found during the event. Akihiro Hino, the company's President and Representative Director, explained on X (formerly Twitter) that while AI-generated images were used for the booth concept art, "the actual content is designed by humans, and the modeling is carefully handcrafted."

Crowds gathered within the booth to play demos of new games such as "Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy," with wait times reaching approximately one hour. The level of congestion for these demos was neither significantly higher nor lower than the attention given to major titles from other companies like SEGA and Bandai Namco Entertainment.

PLUS ULTRAby Amenoyomi

The use of AI in development environments is spreading rapidly. According to a survey by the Computer Entertainment Software Association (CESA), which organizes the Tokyo Game Show, more than 8 percent of developers are using AI. As shown, efficiency gains through AI are becoming standardized across the industry.

On the other hand, in individual cases, this efficiency has led to a paradoxical situation where user backlash causes significant controversy. This suggests that a difficult distance still exists between the efficiency gained through AI utilization and the perspective of the users watching it.