Keiji Inafune Leaves Level-5 to Revamp Fantasy Life Project

Level-5 has made significant changes to the development of its upcoming title, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, after the unexpected departure of producer Keiji Inafune. Following his exit, Level-5 took full control of Inafune's subsidiary, Level-5 Comcept, which Inafune founded in 2010 and sold to Level-5 in 2017. CEO Akihiro Hino announced that internal playtests had led to harsh evaluations, prompting a complete overhaul of the game including enhancements in open-world exploration, parkour mechanics, and emotional storytelling. The game is set to launch on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on May 21, 2025.

The game introduces open-world exploration and parkour-style actions, alongside a restructured progression system and improved core mechanics aimed at enhancing the player’s emotional experience.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a highly anticipated sequel in the Fantasy Life series, which merges RPG elements with life-simulation activities, focusing on a player-driven world where they can take on various jobs and roles. The original Fantasy Life was well-received for its charming graphics and engaging gameplay, making fans excited for what this sequel has to offer.