This week’s PlayStation Dengeki magazine Vol. 606 features an interview with Persona 5 director Katsura Hashino, Persona 5 character designer Shigenori Soejima, and Persona 4: Dancing All Night producer & director Kazuhisa Wada about their plans and outlook for 2016.
This follows the 4Gamer end of year interview with Atlus staff members; the recent Famitsu interview about 2016 with Persona 5 director Katsura Hashino and Shin Megami Tensei IV Final producer Kazuyuki Yamai; as well as the recent PlayStation Dengeki Vol. 606 interview with Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka.
Katsura Hashino (Atlus – “Persona 5” Director)
What are your aspirations for your own games and projects in 2016?
I believe we’ll be able to safely release the game we currently have in development.
Above all else, I hope players have a great experience with it.
What are your expectations and outlook for the game industry in 2016?
When a lot of things are happening at once, the way to survive among the crowd is to firmly prove one’s worth, and I think this is necessary. Taking this into consideration, we must ensure players of our games think that they’re “undoubtedly worth it.” In 2016, my hope is for us to stand out, even a little, in the game industry.
Shigenori Soejima (Atlus – “Persona 5” Character Designer)
What are your aspirations for your own games and projects in 2016?
2016 is when “Persona 5” will finally be released. We have been continuing development and gradually advancing to the point where we hope to meet expectations! Additionally, I plan to provide illustrations across various media next year [2016], so please be receptive to them when they appear.
What are your expectations and outlook for the game industry in 2016?
Although this opinion is common, the domestic consumer game market is but one among the various overseas studios, Japan has been working on a lot of social games, and I think the game industry will become more diverse. I want to have a part in many unique projects, and I hope to continue aiming forward with Atlus to create games full of originality!
Kazuhisa Wada (Atlus – “Persona 4: Dancing All Night” Producer & Director)
What are your aspirations for your own games and projects in 2016?
I cannot announce a game at this point, however the year 2016 is the 20th anniversary for the Persona series. Starting with Persona 5, this year will increasingly become one that represents “Persona.” With this being a year with many things in preparation, I want to continue reaching out and collecting feedback.*
What are your expectations and outlook for the game industry in 2016?
It’s all about the consumer. Particularly when it comes to the progress of the niche Japanese market, if you look at the video game industry in its various forms, the potential for advancement is significant. I think the diversification of the business model will also be linked to smartphone apps, won’t it? My hope is for consumers to be treated properly.
*The original Japanese is ” アンテナを張ってイン プットを大事にしていきたいですね”, in reference to reaching out like an antenna, which is to mean reaching out for feedback. Thanks to Mystic of TRADUKO Soft for the clarification.
As announced previously, Persona 5 is slated to have a special anime TV broadcast, and there is a “Persona 20th Anniversary Project” planned to take place.
Persona 5 is slated to be released for the PS3 and PS4 in Japan in Summer 2016, with a 2016 North American release date.