{
  "id": 8221541,
  "title": "Professor Layton Developer Level-5 Scrambles to Reupload Trailers as AI Backlash Intensifies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/professor-layton-developer-level-5-scrambles-to-reupload-trailers-as",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-18T08:44:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/professor-layton-developer-level-5-scrambles-to-reupload-trailers-as-ai-backlash-intensifies"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The developer of Professor Layton, Level-5, is facing intense criticism after using generative AI in a recent showcase of upcoming titles. The Japanese studio released a video titled \"VISION 2026 II: Dreams\" on YouTube on September 10, which featured upcoming games such as Yokai Watch 2: Haunted Domain, Decapolice, and a preview of Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. However, shortly after the video was published, social media was flooded with comments and reaction videos criticizing the use of AI.\n\nFans pointed out inconsistencies and elements that appeared to be generated by AI, leading to a backlash against Level-5. CEO Akihiro Hino acknowledged the studio's experimentation with AI for the VISION 2026 II showcase, stating that the company used AI to speed up the digitization process of artists' creations. However, Hino insisted that the core elements of Level-5’s games, such as story, character designs, and settings, were created by humans. He also emphasized that AI had not been directly used in the game contents themselves.\n\nDespite Hino’s statement, many Japanese users viewed the use of AI as a lazy approach, questioning the importance of creativity over speed in trailer production. Some commenters also raised ethical concerns about the training of generative AI on copyrighted works of artists. Level-5's concept image for its TGS booth was also flagged as a suspected AI image, further fueling the controversy.\n\nIn response to the backlash, Level-5 released a statement on September 17 apologizing for the distrust caused by its inexperienced use of AI and human errors. The company promised to clean up any errors caused by AI use and human mistakes, and to upload corrected versions of the trailers before the Tokyo Game Show, which opens to the public this weekend. Level-5 has already uploaded trailers for Decapolice and Holy Horror Mansion to its official YouTube channel.",
  "summary": "In the wake of fierce online backlash, Professor Layton developer Level-5 has released a new statement apologizing for the mistrust caused by generative AI use in its recent showcase for upcoming titles, insisting some examples spotted by fans were simply human error.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}