Atlus has published its financial statement for the company’s eighth fiscal term under Sega ownership, which ended on March 31, 2021.
The sales of game’s released from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 exceeded Atlus’ sales expectations, which were: the Western releases of Persona 5 Strikers and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, the Japanese and Asian releases of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster, and the worldwide releases of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Strikers on Steam.
The report states that Atlus experienced a 976.3 million yen net loss (approximately $8./3 million USD) during its Fiscal Year Ended March 2021. Atlus reported a net loss of 423.8 million yen for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2020, 904 million yen for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2019, 686 million yen for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2018, and net loss of 570 million for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2017.
Overall, Atlus exceeded their target numbers for FY ended March 31, 2021, and contributed to Sega’s profits as a result.
Fiscal Year Business Overview
Atlus’ 8th fiscal year ranged from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
Market Analysis
Concerning the environment surrounding the Entertainment Contents Business, for the Consumer segment, the impact of home consumption from staying in to avoid the spread of coronavirus, the launch of next generation consoles in the home video game market, as well as digitalization in the home video game market all led to a growth of digital sales on PCs and home video game consoles, as well as an increase in demand for games.
In the future, the global game market is expected to be revitalized and expanded with the diversification of new profit-earning opportunities through new business models and services, as well as the development of technologies and infrastructures such as 5G and cloud computing. In the current business environment, Atlus focused on the development, sales, and licensing business of Atlus’ mainstay packaged game titles, and the company’s performance remained strong.
Packaged Games Business
In the packaged game business the following games were launched:
- Persona 5 Strikers (Asia, Europe, North America)
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Europe, North America)
- Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster (Japan and Asia)
- Persona 4 Golden for PC (Worldwide)
- Persona 5 Strikers for PC (Worldwide)
Sales of these games exceeded expectations.
Persona 5 Royal, released in October 2019, continued to have repeat sales, selling approximately 1.8 million copies. Persona 5 Strikers sold approximately 1.3 million copies, and Persona 4 Golden for PC, the first PC remaster, sold approximately 900k copies, bringing the total sales of the Persona series to over 15 million units.
Sales in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and Asia also greatly exceeded Atlus’ sales targets, and Atlus continues to maintain a high level of relative sales overseas.
Licensing Business
In the licensing business, the second performance of Persona 5 the Stage was held in October 2020, Shin Megami Tensei Online Live 2021: Reason of Music was distributed in March 2021, and the Persona 5 Original Soundtrack has become a persistent seller, with cumulative shipments exceeding 100k copies.
Additionally, Atlus have been working on major collaborations between their IP and other leading smartphone game titles, which have been well received.
As a result of these business activities, Atlus was able to significantly exceed the individual business plan target numbers and contribute to the Group’s profits.
Critical Acclaim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Persona 5 Royal won the “Excellence Award” in the annual Game of the Year category at the Japan Game Awards 2020, Persona 5 Royal won the “Partner Award” at the PlayStation Partner Awards 2020 Japan Asia, and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was selected as a Jury Recommended Work at the 24th Japan Media Arts Festival, receiving high praise not only for its sales, but for the quality of the work.
Financial Losses
On the other hand, Atlus recorded losses during the FY period ended March 2021 due to the effect brought upon by the amortization of business rights with the transfer of operations from Index Co., Ltd. in November 2013 to SEGA Dream Co., Ltd. (the current company). Despite these recorded losses, Atlus emphasizes that it has made a significant contribution in terms of earnings to the Sega Sammy Group’s consolidated financial results.
Balance Sheet
Atlus’ balance sheet indicates an equity ratio of 71.6% and a current ratio of 263.7%, indicating a high level of financial soundness.
Atlus concludes that it believes its mission is to continue to develop games that will please its customers, and continue to contribute to the group’s performance.