Level-5 Cracks Down on Game Piracy with Strong Legal Warning Against ROMs

Japanese game developer Level-5 has released an official statement condemning the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of its game software as ROMs. The notice, shared in English and Japanese on social media and the company’s official websites, highlights the company’s awareness of piracy activities and its commitment to taking legal action against infringement.

"We want to address a serious issue we have recently observed: the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of our game software across certain online communities. Except where specifically permitted under copyright law or other applicable regulations, reproducing, modifying, or editing our game software without our authorization, as well as distributing or selling such materials to third parties, constitutes copyright infringement regardless of the purpose or intended use."

Level-5 emphasized its resolve to monitor these activities closely and pursue legal remedies, including content removals and account suspensions, to protect its intellectual property.

"We want to make it clear that we will continue to pay close attention to these activities. To protect our work, we will take necessary legal action against any such copyright infringement, including content removals and account suspensions."

The company also appealed directly to its community:

"We would also like to ask our community to refrain from downloading or using pirated copies of our games. Thank you for respecting our work. We are working hard to ensure that everyone can enjoy our games safely and fairly."

Regional Availability Challenges Fuel Piracy Concerns

Level-5 acknowledged that some of its games are permanently unavailable in certain regions or were never released outside Japan, which may contribute to demand for pirated copies. For example:

• Yo-kai Watch 3 received a limited English physical release, and its eShop availability has since closed. Current listings show prices around $899.99 on Amazon and approximately $500 on eBay.
• Yo-kai Watch 4 has never been released outside Japan, despite appearing on the Switch and PS4 in that region.

Recent and Upcoming Level-5 Releases

The developer’s most recent titles include:

• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) – released worldwide in 2026.
• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road (Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) – also released worldwide in 2026.
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (Switch, Switch 2, PS5, PC) – planned for release in 2026.