Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka talked to Weekly Famitsu in the latest issue and discussed the company’s plans for 2016, and there’s more than a hint that there will be quite a bit for all of us to get hyped for.
In the article, he discusses how in 2015 they were able to release a number of spinoffs and innovative iterations of their popular franchises with titles such as Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Etrian Mystery Dungeon. For 2016, they have the hotly anticipated Persona 5 coming this summer and also Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir in February, but Hiraoka also hinted at the release of a number of unexpected/unannounced titles, and said that this would be a year for all of Atlus’ popular series to ‘gather together.’ Whether this means that many of their franchises will get new releases or if it implies that there will be be an actual crossover title is unknown at this point. Still, regardless of the intent behind the comment, it poses many intriguing questions. The Atlus exec also said that even though there was no release date for Vanillaware’s forthcoming 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Hiraoka wants us all to remember that this title is on the way.
While this article relates only to anticipation of releases in Japan, Atlus has been top notch with localization of their titles so this is great news for the rest of us around the world as well. It looks like it’s shaping up to be an exciting year for Atlus! As we hear more news, we’ll be sure to let you know about it.
