Famitsu has published their annual feature where 110 Japanese creators in the game industry discuss their keywords, aspirations, and things they’re paying attention to in the year 2021.
Three of these developers are directors and producers from Atlus: Shinjiro Takada (1st Production), Katsura Hashino (Studio Zero) and Kazuhisa Wada (Persona Team). Hashnio and Wada previously talked about their favorite games of 2020.
Shinjiro Takada (1st Creative Department)
Shinjiro Takada is the product manager of Atlus’ 1st Creative Department, which handles the “Shin Megami Tensei” series. As a producer himself, he was involved with “Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore” in 2020.
Keywords for 2021
Creative Originality
Aspirations for 2021
Although there have been various difficulties during development, we will continue to pursue high quality by responding flexibly and ingeniously. We hope that as many customers as possible will enjoy our work.
Latest Report
We are enthusiastically developing “Shin Megami Tensei V” so that it can be even better. We apologize for the wait, but please look forward to it.
What to Look for in 2021
I’m very interested in the titles that will be announced for new consoles one after another. However, I haven’t been able to get my hands on the hardware yet… I can’t wait to play it.
An update for Shin Megami Tensei V will likely take place during the “Shin Megami Tensei Online Live 2021” concert in March 2021.
Katsura Hashino (3rd Creative Department – Studio Zero)
Katsura Hashino is the creative producer and game director whose representative works include “Persona 3”, “Persona 4”, “Persona 5”, “Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne” and “Catherine”.
Keywords for 2021
Solemn
Aspirations for 2021
With the world having experienced a flurry of change since last year with the coronavirus, all I can do now is continue to work quietly. The project in development is now at its climax, so I would like to continue head on to provide the world with interesting gameplay.
Latest Report
I look forward to announcing the title under development as soon as possible. Please look forward to the “fantasy RPG” that we, who have been creating modern dramas, will be challenging.
What to Look for in 2021
It will be the second year of the coronavirus disaster. How will remote work and other lifestyle changes take hold from the perspective of homeostasis?
I’m also looking forward to watching the movies such as “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and “Ultraman”, and paying attention to the racing driver Tsunoda!
Kazuhisa Wada (2nd Creative Department – Persona Team)
Kazuhisa Wada is a creative producer and chief director of the Persona Team. He worked on “Persona 4 Arena” and the “Persona Dancing” series, with his latest work being “Persona 5 Royal” in 2019.
Keywords for 2021
Carrying out one’s original intention
Aspirations for 2021
2020 was a time of change with a great amount of impact, and we are now in an unpredictable time. What is important is what will emerge in the midst of rapid change, where anything can happen. In 2021, I would like to continue to push forward, unmoved and unperturbed, calmly discerning what should be accomplished.
Latest Report
We are quietly working on our projects. Thanks to your support, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the “Persona” series! We’ve got some exciting plans in the works, so please look forward to them!
What to Look for in 2021
Toyota’s “Woven City” project. It’s still a long ways off, and this kind of experimental city project always ends up failing in the middle of the dream, but I hope it will progressively succeed. Will the day soon come where future cities are no longer science fiction?
Last year, Wada had also talked about being steadfast in planning for the Persona series moving forward. Earlier this month, Wada teased “exciting plans” for the Persona series’ 25th anniversary next year.
The Famitsu 2020 developer aspirations from Atlus developers can be read in last year’s post.
— Famitsu