Level 5 makes cross-media push

Japanese developer Level 5 has spoken of its desire to create multimedia properties at a recruitment conference, Famitsu reports.

The company, which developed Dragon Quest VIII for Square-Enix and the domestically popular Professor Layton series of DS mystery games, is orienting itself to create properties that can be carried across to other media.

Speaking of the cross-media push, Level 5 president Akihiro Hino said: "From here on, we're creating not simply games, but content that takes our games as the starting point for other entertainment."

Citing examples, he continued:  "After becoming a publisher in 2007, we've seen great success with the Professor Layton series – the two titles combined have sold 1.7 million copies, and it's been turned into a film, a comic and an anime series.

"In addition, it's already been decided that our forthcoming 'Inazuma Eleven' will be sporting its own TV series and comic. Eventually, we'd like Level 5 to be a world-leading entertainment brand."