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Level‑5 Gives Pay Raises for Acing Internal Quizzes on Its Games

CEO Akihiro Hino says the studio now treats deep familiarity with its franchises as a measurable skill that speeds development and will be paid more over time.

Overview

  • This week Level‑5's CEO described a policy where employees who score highly on internal 'content knowledge' tests receive salary increases regardless of tenure.
  • The tests are used both in early hiring rounds and for current staff to reshape who leads projects and who needs extra review work.
  • Famitsu was told the exact bonus amount off the record and reported that those present were shocked by its size, though the company has not publicly disclosed the figure.
  • Hino says the raises are justified by efficiency gains from having staff who already know the studio’s IP, and he expects the bonus amount will be raised in future.
  • Level‑5, a Fukuoka studio behind Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni that plans to stay near 320 staff, frames the move as shifting rewards from seniority to demonstrable knowledge and passion.