If you've ever felt that spending your formative years obsessing over video game strategy guides and obscure titles was a waste of time, the CEO of Level-5 has some news that might make you feel vindicated. Akihiro Hino, the president of the Fukuoka-based studio behind hits like Professor Layton, Ni no Kuni, and Yo-kai Watch, is actively rewarding his staff for being experts on the company's own back catalog.
In a recent interview with Famitsu, Hino explained that the company conducts regular "knowledge quizzes" to test how well employees know Level-5’s library. This isn't just about fostering company pride; it is a calculated effort to improve office efficiency. According to Hino, when an employee is well-versed in the studio's history—including lesser-known releases like the 2006 PSP title Jeanne d'Arc or the quirky Attack of the Friday Monsters!—they can work more independently.
Knowledge as a Professional Skill
"If their knowledge is insufficient, we'll need other team members to support them or review their work," Hino said. "On the other hand, if they do have that knowledge, they can take the lead and even streamline the workflow. In other words, I consider a person's knowledge of and passion for the company's games to be a genuine skill."
The incentive structure is clear: employees who earn high scores on these quizzes receive pay raises that are completely independent of their tenure at the company. While the exact dollar amount of these raises remains private—with Famitsu reportedly being "shocked" by the figure during their off-the-record conversation—Hino maintains that the boost in productivity justifies the expense. The increased efficiency, he argues, effectively offsets the cost of the salary increases.
A Different Kind of Performance Review
The practice highlights a unique approach to corporate culture within the Japanese Gaming News sector. While most studios focus on standard KPIs and project deadlines, Hino’s model treats institutional memory and brand fluency as measurable professional assets. It turns out that knowing the ins and outs of a publisher’s entire history is more than just trivia; for the team at Level-5, it is a legitimate path to a bigger paycheck.
For those wondering about the penalty for failing these quizzes, Hino jokingly suggested that poor performers might be forced to play through the Wii U title Wonder Flick, though it is safe to assume the real consequence is simply missing out on the raise. It is a refreshing reminder that in some corners of the industry, being an absolute nerd for the games you work on is not just encouraged—it is a requirement for career advancement.