Atlus 2024 Online Consumer Survey Released, Includes Questions About Upgraded Game Versions

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Reggy
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Atlus has released their annual Japanese online consumer survey for 2024, in order to learn more about their customers and improve their game development. This year will mark the ninth annual Japanese survey.

This time, like the 2022 survey, there is an English version of the survey available targeted at Americans.

Every year, the survey contributes meaningfully to development at Atlus, with the company stating that the results “assist us in delivering unique and compelling gaming experiences, as we continue to pursue development that values passion and ambition.”

The survey duration is estimated to take approximately 50 minutes (40 minutes for the English version). The survey timeframe is from July 12th to July 16th.

The questions from the survey can be seen below. For questions that I feel are especially interesting and should be highlighted, see Questions 17, 24, 50, 55, 56, and 61.

Previous Surveys

Q1: Please enter your email address.

Q2: Please tell us your gender.

Q3: Please tell us your age.

Q4: Do you live in Japan? 

Q5: Please tell us in which region you live in. [If “No” is selected to Q4]

Options for each major continent.

Q6: How did you first find out about this survey? Select the answer that best applies.

9 options, including the official website for Atlus series games, the Atlus YouTube video, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

Q7: Please tell us about your profession.

11 options with different types of employment including part-time, self-employed, etc.

Q8: Please select the family and friends you live with. Select the answer that best applies.

9 options for different household arrangements.

Q9: Please select all of the following game devices that you own.

Q10: Among the platforms you own, how often do you play them?

Q11: From the devices you play video games on, how long do you play on those devices during workdays?

6 options per device, ranging from not used during weekdays to 10 hours or more.

Q12: From the devices you play video games on, how long do you play on those devices during weekends and holidays.

6 options per device, ranging from not used during weekdays to 10 hours or more.

Q13: Do you play games on the following PC services? If yes, please indicate when you last used it.

The services are:

  1. Xbox Game Pass (PC)
  2. Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate)
  3. Steam
  4. EA Play
  5. Epic Games
  6. Ubisoft+

Q14: Please select all of the subscription-based services you’re subscribed to (even if they are shared by the family, if it is a service that you can use freely then please consider yourself to be subscribed to).

18 different options for popular subscription services, including Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, etc.

Q15: Please select everything that you desire from a video game on each platform.

22 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

Between 3 different platforms: home console, mobile, and PC.

Q16: What are your favorite game genres?

20 different options:

  1. 3D Dungeon RPG
  2. Fighting Game
  3. Real-Time Strategy
  4. Action RPG
  5. MMORPG
  6. Turn-Based RPG
  7. Daily Simulation Game
  8. Action / Adventure
  9. Party Game
  10. Card Game
  11. Open World Survival Game
  12. Turn-Based Strategy RPG
  13. FPS / TPS Game
  14. Turn-Based Strategy
  15. Rhythm/Music Game
  16. Text Adventure / Visual Novel
  17. Puzzle Game
  18. Roguelike RPG
  19. MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
  20. Other

Q17: Please tell us about the people you play online multiplayer games with and how frequently you play with them. [NEW QUESTION]

5 choices between family, friends from school, friends from social media, etc. with 7 different time options.

Q18: Please select the titles you know of among the following smartphone games (game apps that can be played on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone).

31 different options for popular smartphone game apps, including:

  • One Piece Treasure Cruise
  • Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
  • Goddess of Victory: Nikke
  • Fate/Grand Order
  • Pokémon GO

Q19: Have you ever played the following smartphone games (game apps that can be played on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone)?

Among the games selected in Q18, there are 3 different options between:

  • I’m currently playing it.
  • I have played it before, but not now.
  • I’ve never played it.

Q20: Among the following games for home consoles (stationary and portables), which ones do you know of?

A list of 50 games, including Atlus games (e.g. Metaphor: Refantazio) and such games as:

  • Helldivers 2
  • ARK: Survival Evolved
  • Granblue Fantasy: Relink
  • Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
  • Monster Hunter Wilds
  • Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Q21: Among the following home console games (stationary and portables), which have you purchased?

Among the games selected in Q20 that have been released, there are 3 possible choices:

  1. I bought this (regardless of new or used).
  2. I am considering purchasing.
  3. I have not purchased this, and I am not planning to.

Q23: Regardless of whether you have played them or not, who would you recommend the following titles to?

For many games selected in Q20, there are 6 options:

  1. Family / housemates / significant other / partner
  2. Friends / acquaintances at school / work
  3. Friends / acquaintances in the gaming community
  4. Friends / acquaintances outside of the gaming community
  5. Random viewers online, such as on social media
  6. I wouldn’t recommend this

For the following question, media is shown, and users are asked questions about them.

The question has the following possible answers:

  1. I like the use of color in the screenshots.
  2. It feels like something Atlus would create.
  3. The designs in the screenshots are cool.
  4. If it’s available through a subscription service, I’d like to try playing it.
  5. It looks like something I could play for a long time (plenty of content to explore).
  6. If I have friends who are playing it, I’d like to try playing it too.
  7. If I have free time, I’d like to try playing it.
  8. I’m curious about what kind of game it is.
  9. I’m curious about what kind of story it has.
  10. The characters are charming.
  11. None of them apply.

Q23: If you already know about “Metaphor: ReFantazio,” please select everything you feel about it. If you’re not familiar with it, please select all of your impressions from the following screenshots.

Q24: These are screenshots from “Persona 5: The Phantom X,” a smartphone game developed and published by Perfect World in China. Would you play this game if it was released in Japan / U.S.?

4 options:

  1. Definitely play
  2. Probably play
  3. Probably not
  4. Definitely not

Q25: Do you often purchase the physical versions of games, or the digital versions? [NEW QUESTION]

4 choices between:

  1. I only buy physical
  2. I buy more physical than digital
  3. I buy more digital than physical
  4. I only buy digital

Q26: Please select all that apply regarding your reasons for purchasing physical. [NEW QUESTION]

10 choices, including options like “it doesn’t take up space on my device,” “physical is cheaper,” “I want to sell it after playing,” etc.

Q27: Please select all that apply regarding your reasons for purchasing digital. [NEW QUESTION]

9 choices, including options like “Because I want to play on PC,” “I can easily purchase without going to the store,” “You can play the game the moment it’s released,” etc.

Q28: How many games do you own on Steam?

  1. Between 1 – 5
  2. Between 6 – 10
  3. Between 11 – 30
  4. Between 31 – 50
  5. Between 51 – 99
  6. 100 or more

Q29: Please select everything that can lead to you downloading a game on Steam.

14 different options included learning about a title that is not available on consoles / smartphones, wanting to play games that are popular at the moment, discovering the game in the Steam store, or when it’s cheap on sale.

Q30: Please select all that apply as to why you purchase games on Steam that are available on multiple platforms.

16 different possible answers, including:

  • Because I can play with mods.
  • Because PC (or Steam Deck) is in a place where it’s easy to play games.
  • I want to collect games on Steam.
  • I can play with a keyboard and mouse.
  • Because the speed of bug fixes and such is fast.

Q31: When do you add game titles to your wish list on the Steam store?

  1. When I’m sure of my purchase.
  2. When I’m almost ready to buy it.
  3. When I’m undecided about making the purchase.
  4. When it piques my interest a little.
  5. When I want to take a wait-and-see approach.
  6. I hardly use the wishlist feature.

Q32: Have you ever purchased a game from your Steam wishlist? If yes, how often do you purchase titles from your wishlist?

6 different answers ranging from “Almost All (81 – 100%) to “I have never purchased a title on my wishlist (0%).”

Q33: Please select all that apply in terms of when you purchase a game on your Steam wishlist.

  1. Purchase during the pre-release period (pre-order phase).
  2. When there’s a sale.
  3. On the game’s launch.
  4. When I receive a notification through an app or email.
  5. When I buy a game alongside a friend.
  6. After the release, when I see the reviews and reception.
  7. When Japanese language support is added.
  8. When the official service starts or when there is an update.
  9. When I have completed other games.
  10. Other.

Q34: Have you ever looked at the ratings on the Steam store when you were unsure about purchasing a game on Steam? If yes, at what rating do you feel more inclined to buy? Please choose the one that applies most to you.

8 options ranging from “Overwhelmingly Positive” to “I never look at the ratings.”

Q35: What media do you usually obtain game information from? Please choose all that apply.

19 possible answers, including:

  • Twitter
  • Threads
  • Misskey
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • TikTok
  • Discord
  • Official game manufacturer websites
  • Game information event (Gamescom, Tokyo Game Show, etc.)

Q37: When purchasing a game available on multiple platforms, do you ever refer to game reviews published in the following media? If yes, please select among the following

  1. Steam
  2. Game media (such as “Weekly Famitsu”).
  3. Metacritic score.
  4. Review videos from YouTubers and others.
  5. Amazon Japan
  6. Other.
  7. I don’t refer to or watch reviews.

Q38: Please select all the qualities you look for in a game’s promotional video / trailer. [NEW QUESTION]

8 options:

  1. Presentation by voice actors.
  2. Presentation by developers.
  3. Actual gameplay footage that helps the viewer understand the story.
  4. Actual gameplay footage that makes you feel like you are playing the game.
  5. Actual gameplay footage with plenty of combat and action.
  6. Cinematic scenes with 3DCG.
  7. Cinematic scenes with 2D animation.
  8. Nothing.

Q39: Please select all the qualities you look for in an official live stream introducing the game. [NEW QUESTION]

8 options:

  1. Variety projects related to the game.
  2. Actual gameplay.
  3. Presentation by VTuber.
  4. Presentation by voice actors.
  5. Presentation by the developers.
  6. Presentation by game commentators.
  7. Releasing previously unreleased trailers.
  8. Nothing.

Q40: Please select all of the online game events listed below that you’ve watched in the past year.

  1. Summer Game Fest
  2. State of Play
  3. Xbox Games Showcase
  4. Milan Games Week
  5. Tokyo Game Show
  6. EVO Japan
  7. Gamescom
  8. The Game Awards
  9. Nintendo Direct
  10. None of the events above

Q41: Among live streams and live video, pleases select “let’s players” and “Virtual YouTubers” you’ve watched (from Nico Nico to YouTube, etc.).

52 options including a variety of Japanese let’s players and Virtual YouTubers.

Q42: How much free time do you usually have per day?

2 answers, with 10 options ranging from 1 hour to 18 hours or more.

  1. Weekday
  2. Holiday

Q43: Of the free time you have on a work or school day, and on a day off or holiday, how much can you spend it to play video games?

Q44: How much money on average are you free to use per month?

8 answers, ranging from less than $50 to $1,000 or more.

Q45: How often do you purchase games (including physical and digital versions)? [NEW QUESTION]

7 options, ranging from twice a month to once a year.

Q46: Among the money you are free to use, how much do you spend on main games/DLC (downloadable content) per month?

9 answers, with ranges including less than 30,000 yen to the range of 50,000 yen to 100,000 yen

Q47: Have you ever played the “Persona” series? If you have, choose the first game in the series you played.

29 options, listing every single Persona console game released from Revelations: Persona for the PlayStation and Windows in September 1996 to Persona 3 Reload for modern platforms released in February 2024 (with the 30th option being “never played the Persona series”).

Q48: Have you ever played the “Shin Megami Tensei” series? If you have, choose the first game in the series you played.

85 options listing every single Shin Megami Tensei game released from Digital Devil Story Megami Tensei for the Famicom in September 1987 to Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance released in June 2024.

Q49: We would like to ask about Atlus games you purchased. Please select all that apply.

For the three latest Atlus titles, Persona 5 Tactica, Persona 3 Reload, and Shin Megami Tensei: Vengeance, there are 9 rows/options with 4 columns based on how strongly or lacking someone felt about the answers. They are:

  1. The characters were charming / I didn’t like the characters
  2. The story was interesting / The story wasn’t interesting (or didn’t leave an impression)
  3. I enjoyed the gameplay systems / I did not enjoy the gameplay systems
  4. It was responsive and felt good to play / The game was not responsive and couldn’t be played comfortably
  5. The music was good (or left an impression) / The music wasn’t good (or didn’t leave an impression)
  6. The playtime was good / The playtime was inadequate
  7. The price was appropriate for how satisfying the game was / The price wasn’t right for the game’s satisfaction
  8. I was able to play comfortably without stress due to loading times, etc. / Elements like the loading time were stressful and I couldn’t play it comfortably
  9. I agree with the price / I am dissatisfied with the pricing (I felt it was expensive)

Q50: If a new game is released in your favorite series or by your favorite developer, do you have any hesitation about buying it? [NEW QUESTION]

  1. Buy without hesitation.
  2. Sometimes I hesitate due to financial reasons.
  3. Sometimes I’m unsure because I think the game content might not suit me.
  4. I may be hesitant about purchasing a game compared to others that would be released at the same time.
  5. I may be hesitant about purchasing a game compared to games that have already been released.
  6. Sometimes I hesitate to purchase it if I think a completely new, upgraded version of the game may be released in the future.

Q51: For games in different price ranges, how long do you expect them to be based on the price?

There are 9 choices for price ranging from 1 to 1,999 yen and 8,000 yen or more. Each corresponding to 7 possible choices for time, from 5 hours or less to 50 hours or more.

Q52: For digital versions of Atlus games, have you ever purchased the “Digital Deluxe Edition,” different from the regular version? [NEW QUESTION]

For the Persona series, for the Etrian Odyssey series, for the Shin Megami Tensei series and for Atlus x Vanillaware titles, the option is “yes” or “no.”

Q53: Please select all that apply as to why you purchased the Digital Deluxe Edition rather than the regular edition. [NEW QUESTION]

  1. I want to collect it.
  2. It’s better to buy the Digital Deluxe Edition for additional content.
  3. There are limited edition items that can’t be obtained in-game or from DLC.
  4. Early access to the game.
  5. Because I like the series.
  6. Because I like Atlus games.
  7. Other

Q54: Concerning additional content, how much would you like to purchase for the following types of content? [NEW QUESTION]

There are 6 types:

  1. Additional story and episodes that cannot be experienced in the main story.
  2. Additional characters that aren’t playable in the main story.
  3. Setting materials, artwork, and other content that allows you to enjoy the main story more deeply by understanding the worldview and setting.
  4. Customization elements for the main story (additional music, additional character costumes, etc.)
  5. In-game items that strengthen you and give you an advantage.
  6. Early access rights.

Each with an option of 7 difference price ranges of 1 to 500 yen, to over 5,000 yen.

Q55: When large-scale additional content is implemented into your favorite game, what should be the distribution method? [NEW QUESTION]

The options are “Releasing additional DLC that enhances the main story experience, such as implementing additional stories and characters,” and “Launch of a completely new SKU that enhances the main story experience, such as implementing additional stories and characters.”

Each with 3 choices of “Always Desirable, “Desirable in some cases,” and “Always Undesirable.”

Q56: For those who answered “Desirable in some cases” to a completely new package / SKU, what do you think is necessary in order to make it “always desirable”? [NEW QUESTION]

  1. Enhance the enjoyment and satisfaction of the original game.
  2. Easier than purchasing the original version and all the DLC separately.
  3. Cheaper than the original version.
  4. I want to own all versions of my favorite games.
  5. Can be enjoyed on hardware with higher specs than the original.
  6. Other
  7. Not listed.

Q58: Please select all the things you expect from Atlus titles and that make it feel like an Atlus title.

17 choices:

  1. Characters that are easy to empathize with and have an appealing personality
  2. A world/setting with the feeling of an underground subculture.
  3. Music worth listening to.
  4. A world/setting with a strong occult feeling.
  5. A fictional world setting that is easy to empathize with.
  6. A world setting in modern Japan.
  7. Good design of non-human characters such as Atlus’ own demons.
  8. Interesting / deep story.
  9. Good design of things other than characters, such as user interface.
  10. User interface that emphasizes comfort and tempo.
  11. A world setting that feels anarchistic / going against common tropes
  12. The feel of the difficulty level and game balance.
  13. Good character design.
  14. Gameplay experience / themes that you think about even when not playing the game.
  15. Other
  16. There is no particular application.
  17. I don’t know of Atlus / I’m not sure

Q59: From the list below, please select all that apply among elements that you feel are lacking in current Atlus games, or that you would like to see improved on.

The same possible answers as in Q58.

Q60: If a sequel (numbered entry) in the following game series was to be released, what platform would you want to play it on?

11 possible choices:

  1. I want to play this on PS4 / PS4 Pro.
  2. I want to play this on PS VR.
  3. I want to play this on PS5.
  4. I want to play this on Nintendo Switch (Lite).
  5. I want to play this on a smartphone (free-to-play)
  6. I want to play this on a smartphone (pay-as-you-go)
  7. I want to play this on Xbox.
  8. I want to play this on PC.
  9. Other
  10. I do not want to play this / I’m not interested.

For the following:

  1. Persona series
  2. Etrian Odyssey series
  3. Shin Megami Tensei series

Q61: If you were to receive an email newsletter (*free service) officially from Atlus, what kind of content would you subscribe to? [NEW QUESTION]

  1. Earn points that can be exchanged for Atlus merchandise, etc.
  2. Receive in-game content (DLC benefits)
  3. Get the latest information only for email newsletter subscribers.
  4. Participating in a lottery campaign where you can win Atlus merchandise, etc.
  5. Other
  6. I don’t think I’d sign up for the email newsletter.

Q62: Did you participate in “Atlus FES” held on June 8-9, 2024? To those who did, please select all the exhibits and projects that you found enjoyable or memorable.

  1. Large statues
  2. The “Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance” demo.
  3. The “Metaphor: ReFantazio” demo.
  4. Communication between fans.
  5. Various exhibition corners.
  6. Merchandise sales.
  7. Stage events.
  8. Other
  9. I knew about Atlus FES, but didn’t participate.
  10. I didn’t know about Atlus FES.

Q63: Please fill out your “Request to Atlus,” in 300 words or less.

Notably, questions for genres in potential Atlus series spin-offs and individual remakes have been removed from this survey, just like last year’s.