Is Atlus USA expanding into digital distribution?

By Spencer . June 12, 2008 . 9:44pm

Is Atlus USA expanding into digital distribution? images

Atlus mailed out a survey to their “faithful” audience with a focus on current Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners. The survey covers a range of topics such as online play, what elements factor into a purchase, and the price of downloadable PS3/Xbox 360 games. The survey actually mentions downloadable games twice, but the other time is a litmus test to see if their fanbase like them or not.

So far Atlus of Japan has not mentioned any plans to release downloadable games for any platform. Of course there could be a downloadable project or two in the pipeline. This could be a first clue that such a project exists. Or this survey could be the first indication that the US subsidiary is moving into internal game development. Digitally distributed games typically cost less to create, which makes the medium attractive to smaller studios. Perhaps a small studio inside Atlus USA or a studio contracted by Atlus USA.

Images courtesy of Atlus.

TAGS: Atlus, Playstation 3, Rumors, Xbox 360

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thaKingRocka

yeah, i filled out that survey last night. for me, 10 bucks is the max. if i have no physical item to hold onto and it might not carry over to the next gen, then i don't want to pay more than 10 for it. i'm willing to pay more for a title on steam since the hardware is always changing and they know that, but nobody has mentioned the plans for BC on xbla or psn titles, so i can't see paying more than 10.

Hello Hello

Yeah, I can't see myself paying a lot for downloadable games either.

On another note, I like how that Atlus Faithful banner has the names of most of the trolls on the Atlus U.S.A. forums that keep people away from there.

wario4ever

I hate their forums with trash like Sayckeone it's really not worth a visit!
they make stupid responeses like I'm sorry and what not

matty

Yeah, those forums can get crazy sometime...

As much as I like having the actual discs, they only last as long as you care and handle them.
I really believe that downloadable contents (including games) are really the next step in the future of console systems. It is now, but I can see that to be really expanded in the next generation, but it has to be secured, organized and powerful enough if companies and developers want to make that possible.
Just think; no more waiting outside past midnight for a highly anticipated game that you may not even get at the store. Instead, you can d/l it in the comfort of your home in minutes.
Until then, I chose $29.99 to show I'm at least interested and support on what I think they're planning.

jeffx

yes the Atlus forums are horrible and yes it's mostly because of a couple of full-time trolls. still best 3rd party publisher on earth.

Hello Hello

Yeah, trolls aside, Atlus U.S.A. is one of the best publishers around.

Hayden

I responded to this one too. Thought the downloadable content stuff interesting....wondered if perhaps they might be considering making back catalogue stuff available through dl. Of course the other subject that came up more than once on those questions was jpop music and other things "japanese"....which sparked just a little that dying ember of hope regarding Idolm@aster stateside.

matty

I figured Idolm@aster was completely out of Atlus' hands since it's handled by Namco Bandai. I don't recall any publisher outside that company handling their games recently.

Milo

:/

Vincent Alexander

Ya! Those Atlus forums suck, especially Saycke. Anyone with the self-confidence of a $3 whore and the intelligence of a dead panda can't fit in comfortably before their feelings are hurt and they run off to another forum where people don't yet know how big of a failure they are.....man, I hate Atlus.