Update (2016-12-22): The list of live stream guests has been updated with announced video appearances. The stream will also be made available through Fresh!
Atlus has announced that they have formed a new internal production studio within the company called “Studio Zero” that is developing a brand new IP fantasy role-playing game.
This new game will be neither “Persona” nor “Megaten,” but a completely new RPG project from the ground up.
In the January 5th, 2017 issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine (releasing on December 22, 2016) there will be more news on the project from two key people who are involved: Naoto Hiraoka (who oversees Atlus’ Consumer Software Business) and Katsura Hashino (who served as the director of Persona 5).
In July 2014, Atlus USA CEO Naoto Hiraoka announced that they had begun development on a title that would be released in three years time. This is possibly that title.
Katsura Hashino Comment
Atlus has registered a new website: rpg.jp. Producer and game director Katsura Hashino talks about Atlus, Studio Zero and the new game on it:
A brand new challenge unrelated to “Persona” or “Megaten”
about starting from zero
25 years ago, ATLUS began crafting their first RPG. Speaking of RPGs at the time — their stories were based around a so-called “fantasy” world.
At the time, such a foundation was mainstream. As a way of “countering” that “mainstream” foundation, we released the “Megami Tensei” series.
And after that, we branched off the series; releasing the spin-off that would become known as “Persona.”
With each series, each and every single project to date, and each generation; I have crafted my projects as games that are a counter to the norm.
Now, in continuation to these projects created by ATLUS, comes forth a new one. What is the next concept to tackle and address in RPGs? To challenge the norms naturally consumed by gamers for decades.
I think that this, in particular, is a challenge to the genre. The challenge is about to begin right now. And I would like you to stand with me as we start the challenge—as we start from zero.
Thanks to @MysticDistance of TRADUKO Soft for the translation.
Live Stream
Additionally, there will be a Niconico live stream (also on Fresh!) on the project on December 23 at 8:00 PM JST (3:00 AM PST / 6:00 AM EST).
First video for the game will be shown, with background music by Shoji Meguro.
Before the show starts, Atlus artist Shigenori Soejima will be creating a live illustration just for this program.
Cast
- Moderators:
- Hiroshi Watanabe (writer)
- Chiaki Matsuzawa (announcer)
Part 1 Provisional Guests:
- Katsuhiko Hayashi (Weekly Famitsu editor-in-chief)
Part 2 Provisional Guests:
- Mafia Kajita (freelance writer)
- Tomokazu Sugita (voice actor)
Video Appearances
- Kazutaka Kodaka (Spike Chunsoft)
- Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Capcom)
- Toshihiro Kondo (Nihon Falcom)
- Kou Shibusawa (Koei Tecmo)
- Toshihiro Nagoshi (Sega Games)
- Taro Yoko
Additionally, messages from celebrities will also be presented.
— Famitsu