Atlus recently revealed that they’ve opened a new studio called “Studio Zero” with the aim of working on a new fantasy RPG that isn’t Persona or Shin Megami Tensei. Key staff shared more in this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine. [Thanks, Hachima.]
Project Re Fantasy is a completely new RPG by Atlus that doesn’t have a modern setting, but a fantasy one. “Studio Zero” will be in charge of developing the game. It includes staff such as Persona series director Katsura Hashino, artist Shigenori Soejima, and music by composer Shoji Meguro.
Atlus has plans for a large-scale staff recruitment for the new RPG project, on December 23 starting at 10:00pm JST.
This week’s issue of Famitsu doesn’t feature any information as far as game content goes, but the magazine has an interview with Atlus director Naota Hiraoka and producer/director Katsura Hashino who share more behind the new project and studio.
Here are some highlights from the magazine.
About the goal of the established studio
Naota Hiraoka: Atlus originally wanted to establish a studio with the objective of making a new IP and go beyond as a mid-term plan. These past few years, those who we can entrust weren’t available, so we figured that we could trust Hashino with it, who just finished Persona 5.
About Soejima and Meguro’s involvement
Hiraoka: Soejima is essential to the Persona series staff, but we want him to be active without being restricted [within the Persona series.] The same goes for Meguro. Both will continue participating as a pivot to the Persona series.
We have other titles, in addition to the Persona series, that are being developed behind the scenes. We plan to announce more titles without having you guys wait too long after the new year.
About the reason for choosing fantasy as Studio Zero’s challenge.
Hashino: Up until now, since the time fantasy became mainstream, Atlus has created series set in modern worlds, and placed importance in the aim of countering the orthodox.
Persona 3 and titles from the series afterwards are a product of this mindset. And we always had the idea of wanting to challenge [of working on] the orthodox genre with something that can only be done by Atlus and its characteristics.
Are there any hints for the visual that was presented?
The visual that was presented this time around is concept art that shares our mental attitude. The character for the cover illustration isn’t necessarily the protagonist.
Atlus will host a NicoNico Live stream on December 23 at 8:00pm JST to share more on Project Re Fantasy.
