Employees face internal quizzes on company's own titles for potential salary increases.
Level-5, the studio behind the long-running Professor Layton puzzle game series, has introduced a peculiar system for awarding pay rises. Employees can secure "significant" salary increases by correctly answering questions about the company's own games. This initiative, revealed by Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino, aims to bolster employee understanding of the company's intellectual property.
The core of this strategy is a 'content knowledge test' where high scores directly translate to salary bumps, irrespective of an employee's tenure or position within the company. Hino suggests this method ensures a workforce deeply familiar with the company's creations, enabling them to take on more responsibilities or mentor colleagues who may be less versed in the game's lore and mechanics. This comes at a time when other major industry players, like PlayStation, are reportedly enacting workforce reductions.
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Unusual Merit System
The tests, conducted internally, probe employees' understanding of Level-5's various game titles. Hino's rationale centers on the belief that a thorough grasp of the company's past successes and creative output directly correlates with an employee's capacity to contribute to future projects. The implication is that individuals with this depth of knowledge are better equipped to handle complex tasks or provide guidance, thereby enhancing overall team efficiency and product quality.
"The more they know, the better they'll be able to make games in iconic franchises, like Professor Layton."
This approach diverges from traditional performance review metrics. Instead of focusing solely on project completion or departmental goals, Level-5 is emphasizing a unique form of cultural capital – deep-seated knowledge of the company's product.
Industry Context
The move by Level-5 occurs against a backdrop of varied industry trends. While some companies are exploring novel employee engagement and compensation models, others are facing financial pressures that lead to significant downsizing. PlayStation's recent decision to drastically cut staff at Bungie, following developmental shifts in titles like Destiny 2, stands in stark contrast to Level-5's strategy of incentivizing existing staff through knowledge acquisition. The gaming industry, a landscape often characterized by rapid innovation and shifting market demands, continues to present a complex environment for both developers and their employees.
