How did a company like Level-5 land DQ VIII?

[Bogatyr]

I also had this doubt concerning DQVIII. Thought it was so strange that such flagship series would be handled by a third party, but someone here explained to me this has always been the case with DQ games.
It is hard to imagine how they can keep the game's own atmosphere and peculiarities doing so. I suppose masterminds like Yuji Horii take a close watch on the development of the game. That's my guess anyway.