Last year in March 2015, Atlus Japan released an online fan survey for feedback about what their consumers want. It included questions about game settings, concepts and platforms.
This year, Atlus has released another survey of the same type to help Atlus deliver more unique and attractive game experiences in the future. The Japanese questionnaire is set to last from February 24 to February 28, 2016 at 11:59 PM JST.
The questionnaire duration is estimated at about 20 minutes, and states that the data gathered from the answers is processed statistically, and that personally identifiable information from them will not be released.
A number of Atlus related websites have been updated to feature the survey, as well:
Question 25 lists Etrian Odyssey V for the Nintendo 3DS, despite its platform not having been announced as of yet. The game was stated to have entered the final stages of its development in January 2016.
The list of questions from the survey are below. For questions that I feel are especially interesting and should be highlighted, see Q16, Q18, Q19 and Q21, Q25, and Q28.
Q1: Please tell us about your profession.
Q2: Who are you currently living with?
Q3: Among the following platforms, which do you own?
Note: pretty much every relevant platform is listed here, including the Xbox One this time.
Q4: Among the platforms you own, how often do you play them?
7 possible answers, ranging from everyday to “I’ve never played it.”
Q5: Among the dedicated home consoles you play the most (for TV screens, non-handhelds), why do you play on them?
23 possible answers, including:
- To relieve stress
- To experience exhilaration
- To feel immersed in the game world
- To get a sense of accomplishment
- To immerse myself in the game story
- To express myself
- To forget everyday life
Q6: Among the portable devices you play the most (devices played without the need of a TV screen), why do you play on them?
Same 23 possible answers as the above.
Q7: Among the mobile devices you play the most (smartphones), why do you play on them?
Same 23 possible answers as the above.
Q8: What are your favorite game genres?
- Turn-based RPG
- Action RPG
- Turn-based Strategy RPG
- 3D Dungeon RPG
- Puzzle Game
- Adventure Game
- Action Game
- Fighting Game
- Simulation
- Music Game
- Sports
- Racing
- Real-time Strategy
- Other
Q9: For dedicated consoles, choose what applies for the following games.
23 possible answers, with 3 different options for each: “I don’t know this,” “I know this but I have not bought it,” and “I have purchased this.” The games include:
- Dragon Quest Builders
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
- Bloodborne
- Fallout 4
- Splatoon
- Persona 4 Golden
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
- Shin Megami Tensei IV Final
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
- Genei Ibun Roku #FE
Q10: How much have you played the games you purchased?
3 options for each game chosen: “I haven’t played it yet,” “I have played it but not finished it,” and “I have finished it.”
Q11: For the games you purchased [and that you’ve played the most], please choose one of the following.
2 options for each game chosen: “I don’t want to buy the next game that comes out,” and “I want to buy the next game that comes out.”
Refer to the following image:
Q12: After seeing the game screenshots above, choose all that apply.
- I like the colors
- I want to play it for free
- The characters are attractive
- The screenshots have a cool design
- It has an Atlus feeling
- I would like to play it with friends
- I want to play it as a smartphone game
- I want to play it on a dedicated home console, on a large TV screen
- It looks like an interesting game
- I want to play it on a portable game device
- It looks to have an interesting story
- I want to play it for a long period of time
- I want to play it in my spare time
- None of the above
Refer to the following image:
Q13: After seeing the game screenshots above, choose all that apply.
[The answers are the same as in Q12]
Refer to the following image:
Q14: After seeing the game screenshots above, choose all that apply.
[The answers are the same as in Q12 and Q13]
Refer to the following image:
Q15: After seeing the game screenshots above, choose all that apply.
[The answers are the same as in Q12, Q13 and Q14]
Refer to the following image:
Q16: After seeing the game screenshots above, choose all that apply.
[The answers are the same as in Q12, Q13, Q14 and Q15]
Q17: After watching the video, please choose all that apply.
[The answers are the same as in Q12, Q13, Q14, Q15 and Q16]
Q18: Because you have played Persona 4: Dancing All Night [an answer chosen previously], choose one that applies from the following.
Two possible answers: “A: It was good more as a story-oriented game,” and “B: It was good more as a rhythm game.” One option among 4 must be chosen, relating to whether you think P4D was closer to A or B.
Q19: When you play an RPG, please choose what applies concerning the hero you play as.
Each answer has 3 possible options: “closer to A,” “none in particular,” and “closer to B.”
- A: I prefer it to be designed as the hero = myself. / B: I prefer that the hero has their own independent personality, and that they are not meant to represent me.
- A: I do not want the hero to actively speak (other than nodding or grunting/yelling) / B: I want the hero to speak actively
- A: I want to freely decide the hero character’s background (upbringing, personality, occupation, etc.) / B: It is better for the hero character’s background to be pre-set (upbringing, personality, occupation, etc.)
- A: I want to customize the look of the hero character. / B: Preferably, the hero character has a pre-set, fixed appearance.
Q20: Shin Megami Tensei IV Final was released on February 10, 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS. Please choose the following reason you did not purchase it [an answer chosen previously].
The answers are:
- Because I have lost interest in the “Shin Megami Tensei” series
- Because I did not like the previous game (“Shin Megami Tensei IV”)
- Because the game is called “Shin Megami Tensei IV Final,” it seemed to not be its own standalone game
- I had enough information on the game to know I did not what to buy it for myself.
- I decided not to buy it for financial reasons
- Because there was another game I wanted to play at the same time
- Because I did not know enough about the game in advance
- It’s not on a dedicated home console
- None of the above
Q21: From the game name “Shin Megami Tensei IV Final,” is there any game content you associate with it? Please choose the answer that best applies.
- I thought it was a sequel of “Shin Megami Tensei IV”
- I thought it was a remake of “Shin Megami Tensei IV”
- I thought it was a re-release of “Shin Megami Tensei IV” with additional content
- I thought it was a completely new “Shin Megami Tensei IV” game
- I don’t know
Refer to the following image:
Q22: “Shin Megami Tensei IV” was released for the Nintendo 3DS on May 23, 2013. Please choose what applies below.
Each answer has 3 possible options: “closer to A,” “either/indifferent,” and “closer to B.”
- A: I’m strongly attracted to the game’s world and story / B: I’m not particularly interested in the game’s world or story
- A: The character design (including the main character) is attractive / B: I’m not particularly interested in the character design (including the hero)
- A: The newly added demon designs are attractive / B: I do not like the newly added demon designs
- A: The game mechanics were easy to understand and comfortable / B: The game mechanics were confusing
- A: Demon fusing and training was enjoyable / B: Demon fusing and training felt difficult
- A: It is an appropriate entry in the “Shin Megami Tensei” series / B: It does not feel enough like a “Shin Megami Tensei” game
- A: The beginning of the game was good, with the medieval fantasy setting / B: The beginning of the game was uncomfortable, with the medieval fantasy setting
- A: I enjoyed the degree of difficulty / B: The degree of difficulty was too high
- A: The length of the game was enjoyably long / B: The game was too short
- A: I’m glad that characters were voiced during conversation / B: Characters voiced during conversations felt uncomfortable (I felt that there was no need for it)
- A: I empathized with the hero because he hardly talked / B: I felt uncomfortable that the hero hardly spoke
Q24: When a new game in the “Shin Megami Tensei” series is released, where do you wish to purchase it and play it? Choose all that apply.
- I want to buy it for the PS4
- I want to buy it for the Nintendo 3DS
- I want to buy it for the PS Vita
- I would like to play it as a smartphone game
- I do not want to buy or play it
Q25: Among the following games scheduled to release for handhelds and dedicated home consoles, please choose each one you know about.
22 listed games, including:
- The Last Guardian (PS4)
- Monster Hunter Stories (3DS)
- Etrian Odyssey V (3DS)
- Kingdom Hearts 3 (PS4, Xbox One)
- Puzzle and Dragons X (3DS)
- Persona 5 (PS4, PS3)
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PS4, PS VIta)
- Smmon Night 6 (PS4, PS Vita)
- Yakuza 6 (tentative name) (PS4)
- Star Ocean 5 (PS4, PS3)
- Final Fantasy 15 (PS4, PS3)
- Gravity Daze 2 (PS4)
Q26: Among the games you know about that are scheduled to release for dedicated handhelds and home platforms, please choose all that apply.
3 possible options per game: “I do not think I am going to buy it,” “I’m thinking about whether I’m going to buy it” and “I’m going to buy it.”
Q27: For limited edition bundles of home console video games, please choose what is important at the time of purchase.
- Artwork
- Demo of another game
- Soundtrack
- Illustrated box cover
- Everyday use item like a smartphone case
- Items for appreciation like figures
- Limited edition DLC sets
- None of the above
Q28: Concerning old generation game console RPG remakes for current generation game consoles, please choose what apply.
Each answer has 3 possible options: “closer to A,” “either/indifferent,” and “closer to B.”
- A: I want the story to be remade / B: It’s better to not change the story
- A: i want added events or episodes / B: It’s better to not change the events or episodes
- A: I want the character illustrations changed in a modern style / B: It is better if the character illustrations do not change
- A: I want the gameplay modernized / B: It is better for the gameplay to not change
- A: I want the background music to have modern arrangements / B: It is better if the background music does not change
Q29: How much free time do you usually have per day?
2 answers, with 10 options ranging from 1 hour to 18 hours or more.
- Weekday
- Holiday
Q30: What do you spend your free time with on weekdays and holidays? Please choose all that apply.
There are 43 answers. The list includes answers like:
- I go on the Internet with my PC
- Learning a foreign language
- Going to public competitions (horse racing, bicycle racing…)
- I go to get a massage or to a beauty parlor
- Home gardening
- I take pictures
- I watch sports
- I play sports
- I go to karaoke
- I go to live concerts
- I play home console games
- I play handheld games
- I make a meal or have tea with friends
- I watch YouTube
- I watch Nico Nico Douga
- I watch TV at home
Q31: Please tell use how much time you dedicate to media consumption on a daily basis.
4 answers, with 12 options ranging from “I don’t use this” to “10 hour or more.”
- TV viewing
- PC Internet use
- Tablet Internet use
- Smartphone Internet use
Q32: Which media do you usually obtain game information from? Please choose all that apply.
21 answers, including:
- Google+
- LINE
- YouTube
- Nico Nico Douga
- Nico Nico Live Broadcast
- Game Magazines
Q33: In what kind of way do you obtain game information on Twitter [an answer chosen previously]? Please choose all that apply.
9 answers, including:
- Follow game media accounts
- Follow official accounts for each game
- Follow official developer accounts
- Look at voice actor and talent Tweets
Q35: Please choose all the media you use to post and write on.
14 answers including:
- LINE
- Tumlr
- Vine
- Google+
- Blog
- Bulletin boards (2channel, etc)
Q36: For people who post on Twitter, please tell us the number of followers on your Twitter account.
14 answers, ranging from 0-50 to over 3,000.
Q37: Do you recommend games to friends on social media? Please choose all that apply.
- I always recommend games
- I recommend games I want to play with friends
- I recommend minor games to support them
- I recommend games for reasons other than the above
- I’ve never particularly recommended a game
Q38: What kind of content do you post on social media?
26 answers, including:
- Family
- Love
- Console games
- Handheld games
- Pre-release game information
- Food
Q39: When do you usually use social media on weekdays?
13 options per social media, with a variety of time intervals.
Q40: When do you usually use social media during holidays?
13 options per social media, with a variety of time intervals.
Q41: How frequently do you watch Nico live game broadcasts? Please choose from the following.
7 answers, ranging from almost every day to less than once a month.
Q42: What reason do you watch an official Nico Nico live broadcast for by a game developer?
12 possible answers, including:
- Because I am interested in the game
- Because I am interested in the game developer
- Because I am interested in the hosts
- Because I want to kill time
- Because I want to see new information
Q43: How much money on average are you free to use per month?
7 answers, ranging from less than 5,000 yen to 65,000 yen or more
Q44: How much money do you spend on video game software per month?
Q46: Where do you learn about new games to buy on dedicated home consoles and handhelds?
8 answers, including:
- Seeing a friend, colleague, or family playing it
- Watching a TV commercial
- LINE, Facebook or Twitter
- Seeing it introduced in game magazines
Q47: Where do you buy games on dedicated home consoles and handhelds?
10 possible answers, including:
- Amazon
- PlayStation Store
- Game specialty stores
Q48: What influences your decision to buy games on dedicated home consoles and handhelds?
20 possible answers, including:
- Demo
- Official game site
- Developer
- Genre
- Favorite series
- Voice actors
- Music
Q49: Please choose all that apply concerning what would influence your decision to download smartphone game apps.
12 possible answers, including:
- Happening to find the game on the AppStore or GooglePlay
- Seeing a friend, colleague or family play it
- A commercial
- Response to an invitation on LINE or Facebook