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Level-5 Offers Pay Rises to Employees Based on Game Knowledge

WireByte Staff · July 3, 2026

Japanese video game developer Level-5 is offering significant pay rises to employees who can correctly answer questions about the company's games. The quizzes, which unlock pay rises, are designed to promote employee knowledge and productivity. The move is seen as unusual but has a business purpose, according to CEO Akihiro Hino.

Key points

  • Level-5, a Japanese video game developer, is offering pay rises to employees who correctly answer questions about the company's games.
  • The quizzes, which unlock pay rises, are designed to promote employee knowledge and productivity, according to CEO Akihiro Hino.
  • The company is headquartered in Fukuoka with satellite offices in Tokyo and Osaka, and is known for developing the Professor Layton and Yo-kai Watch franchises.
  • The pay rise amount has not been publicly revealed, but it is said to be substantial, astonishing reporters who were informed of the gesture.
  • Hino believes that employees with strong knowledge of the company's products can take on more work or tutor others, streamlining the workflow.

Level-5 Offers Pay Rises to Employees Based on Game Knowledge

Japanese video game developer Level-5 is taking an unusual approach to employee motivation. According to CEO Akihiro Hino, the company is offering significant pay rises to employees who can correctly answer questions about the company's games.

The quizzes, which unlock pay rises, are designed to promote employee knowledge and productivity. Hino believes that employees with strong knowledge of the company's products can take on more work or tutor others, streamlining the workflow.

Level-5 is headquartered in Fukuoka with satellite offices in Tokyo and Osaka, and is known for developing the Professor Layton and Yo-kai Watch franchises. The pay rise amount has not been publicly revealed, but it is said to be substantial, astonishing reporters who were informed of the gesture.

This move is seen as a unique approach to employee motivation, but it remains to be seen whether it will be effective in the long term.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.