Well, this is certainly equal parts disappointing and relieving. After roughly half a decade in limbo, we now have confirmation from a former designer who worked at the Level-5 Abby as revealed in an online interview. The long-dormant localization of Yo-Kai Watch 4 and all that accompanies it is likely as dead as the company branch that was working on it. While this alone is not entirely surprising, it turns out this isn't the only detail to just now be revealed after years (as they sometimes do). Here is why the international localization of Yo-Kai Watch 4 is likely dead; along with other revelations from a former Level-5 Designer.
Before I get started, I would like to thank the Massviews interview with the designer in question, Matthew Matoba. The video is here, Matt's primary job was working on logos and graphic design; and the words said also seem to corroborate the details shared in the Glassdoor reviews of the Abby. I won't be retreading all the ground covered in the interview; but I will be sharing the key points I need, including the less flattering details about the company. I am well aware the developer still has fans, but even they're realizing lots of the same things I have.
Right out of the gate, Matt reveals a number of interesting details. On top of corroborating that several projects were pitched to Nickelodeon (who ultimately declined them), it is a relief that he's managed to find work. In this economy, you take your wins where you can.
In what's one of the more troubling revelations, Level-5 was rather hesitant to credit Matthew despite his contributions being quite favorable. He also was never considered for a full-time position (with all the benefits that would entail), and had to interview for the same position each time (which is an alarmingly common occurrence I would appreciate being done away with).
We will touch on this more in a bit, but it's rather alarming that the Abby and Level-5 International weren't in active contact with each other. It's certainly never a good sign when multiple parties on a collaborative work aren't always talking to each other. When that happens, the results can be disastrous (see the massive failure of Concord, which we're still finding out details about as you see this).
On that subject, let's talk Hayakawa Yukari. Of the 20 or so people involved with the company, she was Akihiro Hino's liaison, who was the one most frequently talked to for matters... which ended up as a major problem as time progressed. In fact, she had a habit of giving others and Matt in particular the runaround on top of the aforementioned communication problems. Hayakawa habitually gave people conflicting information, if she gave any at all; and from what Matt said, it just gives off a very unprofessional vibe. That especially applies to the waning days of the Abby; where just one person was on hand until the lights shut off for the last time. I was hoping that fewer companies would be aping the tactics of latter-day Konami; but this seems to suggest the opposite happened.
Even the localization process itself got less focused and more frenzied after the Yo-Kai Watch original trilogy. The simplest thing of choosing what to bring over got increasingly varied and much less focused; something that got increasingly clear as time went on. Still, Matt is proud of his work on design for YW3; even if it saw release when the Switch had largely overtaken the 3DS in the public consciousness. It took three years of work to happen, with the "Sukiyaki" port being the definitive release that features content from both the "Sushi" and "Tempura" releases (essentially our Yellow, Crystal or Platinum if you will). In fact, in the waning days of the Abby's business, they were giving it their all no matter what. Even with stiff competition from Kingdom Hearts III and the Resident Evil 2 remake; I still maintain they easily made the best game in the trilogy.
Regrettably, after YW3's disappointing sales; Matt also verifies the GI article at the time was accurate, and that Hayukawa quit the company before the Abby as a whole closed down. Though it was initially believed that Nintendo were the ones mishandling YKW outside Japan, it turns out that according to Matt; Level-5 made the self-publishing decision after disagreements about revenue shares and promotion. He also specifically cited the time Perlmutter threatened to fire RDJ from the MCU; which was the final straw for Feige, who successfully got Bob to side with him. (Side note: Ike's tenure at Marvel was controversial for a multitude of reasons; but for the sake of argument, I tend to focus on his volatility as a businessman.) Matt suggests it was a 30% revenue share, which is fairly standard in this business.
Now comes the big title that many have been waiting to hear about. Though there was indeed a plan to localize Yo-Kai Watch 4, Matt divulged that it was functionally canceled when the Abby closed. He said, "Yo-Kai Watch 3's failure was too severe, combined with Snack World's and a generally declining game state. Shortly after the announcement, we all knew it was canceled. Wasn't the intent to lie, ever. Regarding whether I think they'll bother in the future- sorry, I know they won't." Had a feeling after five years of silence, but now someone on the inside gave us the clearest de-confirmation we're likely to get.
Hearing the revelation that the YW4 localization functionally died with the Abby from a former employee definitely brings mixed reactions. On one hand, it's certainly disappointing that a game that could have been a much more promising return to the West has been shelved in favor of a project that has more pitfalls of its own (we'll talk more another time). On the other, it's relieving that people can stop pining over the matter after years of silence and find other titles to fill the void.
Yet, there's still more details revealed by Matt. YW4 wasn't the only cancelation, but it was the most prominent. There were the aforementioned pitches Nick passed on (to be fair, they have a habit lately of not pushing stuff that isn't related to SpongeBob, TMNT, The Loud House and now Sonic), but beyond that; there were smaller pitches that never really made it.
The withdrawal of Level-5 from US markets in 2020 also scuppered porting the second Professor Layton trilogy to mobile phones. Matt was assigned logo design before that happened; and as he also said, "COVID ended plans for a lot." He even at one point compared his experience to an under-appreciated mother; which is a fair assessment based on other accounts from former employees.
Matt also laments the use of AI in design; including within the company he used to work for. I do not know what the long-term impact of such apps will be. In the short term, though; I am relieved to see the public response to both Toys "R" Us and Coca-Cola remaking their vintage ads in AI be a near-universal rejection. Good a time as any to wrap it up then.
It is admittedly disheartening to see a company once viewed as an antidote to the likes of EA, Ubisoft and Activision fall into many of the same ethically dubious practices of those companies. It's another story that definitely falls under the "sausage principle"- as in, many people like to eat it; but not as many like to know how it's made. It's not a total surprise the office was in the same area as Riot Games of League of Legends fame; who have had a litany of controversies of their own.
Honestly, it will be a miracle for Level-5 to regain the respect they once had; let alone the success. It will certainly not be the last time this comes up in regards to Holy Horror Mansion either. That will likely not be until spring 2025 at the earliest; I mainly wanted to address this while the information was still new, and so you all don’t just think I'm playing my Switch and watching Moana 2 (which is also true). That will be all for now, take care.
