Gifts to Atlus Go To...?

[septembervirgin]

If one wishes to send a gift (such as dictionaries of mythological figures) to Atlus, where should one send such a thing?

I've noticed that Atlus *could* have more deities in their Shin Megami Tensei games... but do not seem to at present. One thing that would help with this is standardizing gameplay rules (so a list of gods could be slipped into each game without necessitating typing and discussing them EACH TIME). Another thing would be a few mythological dictionaries.

[Kakizaki]

^Probably Atlus of Japan since Atlus USA doesn't develop games. ;)

I'm curious though. As far as more deities, which SMT related games are you speaking about? Pre P3/P4 SMT titles were chocked full of various deities.

[dragonlife29]

I just send the Atlus offices my love letters to the address they personally give to me in their newsletters :)

[Hamel]

I just come by the office and show them how much I love them

[SlaughterX]

http://www.ssqq.com/stories/images/dumpster.jpg

[Kenji]

Considering how spot-on Atlus's mythological references have been, I think reference material is the least of what they need. The limits on demons are probably imposed due to the size of the games, the number of possible variations in skill and stat sets, and ease of use by the player.

Really, I've never felt that there was a particular lack of demons in MegaTen games, though seeing new ones and how Kaneko et al choose to represent them is always a treat.

As for the best way to gift Atlus, I'd say it's with money. Your money. Preferably on day one. And maybe import a few soundtracks and artbooks, too. :D

[four_black_hearts]

SlaughterX, you're perfect.

[septembervirgin]

Considering how spot-on Atlus's mythological references have been, I think reference material is the least of what they need. The limits on demons are probably imposed due to the size of the games, the number of possible variations in skill and stat sets, and ease of use by the player.

It wouldn't be impossible to increase the number of "demons" and such in these games. Especially if Atlus increases how these demons might be represented in game terms. New elements, new status effects, new attributes, new ways to interact with these demons, new uses for these.

Eh. Don't fret. Games improve, they become larger and more interesting. Everything will be ok. However, I guess they do not need nor want gift books, based on your hasty replies.

[Kakizaki]

^You didn't answer my question. I'm curious as to which SMT related titles you have played. That may explain why you feel there could be a larger selection of demons.

[septembervirgin]

^You didn't answer my question. I'm curious as to which SMT related titles you have played. That may explain why you feel there could be a larger selection of demons.

I am relatively new to Atlus games, however I have noticed that many long time fans are quiet about what might be improved. Three hundred is a small number, you know. A thousand is coming towards acceptible. If you read much of myth and history, fable and folklore, and occult works you might notice many names. Also, why not include famous occultists and even scientists as demons? Why not personify recent histiological and semiological theories as demons? The Episteme of Michel Foucault could be a strong demon.

[four_black_hearts]

...:frown:

[Hamel]

SMT has more than enough demons
I haven't seen all the demons in one SMT game because they have more than enough

[septembervirgin]

Very well then. :) I am sure there's no need to panic. I'm just a computer screen with images thereupon.

SMT has more than enough demons
I haven't seen all the demons in one SMT game because they have more than enough

[Kakizaki]

^You didn't answer my question. I'm curious as to which SMT related titles you have played. That may explain why you feel there could be a larger selection of demons.

I am relatively new to Atlus games, however I have noticed that many long time fans are quiet about what might be improved. Three hundred is a small number, you know. A thousand is coming towards acceptible. If you read much of myth and history, fable and folklore, and occult works you might notice many names. Also, why not include famous occultists and even scientists as demons? Why not personify recent histiological and semiological theories as demons? The Episteme of Michel Foucault could be a strong demon.

You really didn't answer my question, but oh well....If you haven't played many of the games, I think you are making some rather large assumptions. I have a 500 page book that details every type of demon / deity that has appeared in a Megaten game up to Nocturne.

edit - Some other details I should point out in regards to this book. It is 500+ pages (nearly 600) and only includes demons from SMT1,2,if, and Nocturne. So please take into consideration that deities / demons from Maijen Tensei, Megami Tensei, Last Bible series, Devil Summoner, Soul Hackers, Persona 1-4, Digital Devil Saga 1&2, etc are not present. Sometimes there is only one demon per page and sometimes there are up to 6/7. I think it is pretty safe to say the list of demons / deities is larger than you believe it to be.

SMT titles usually tend to have the largest bestiaries of any rpg that I myself have played (aside from the recent P3/P4).

[Gen Eric Gui]

A thousand is coming towards acceptible.I just wanted to comment on this line.

I can't think of a single game that has even close to a thousand creatures in it's bestiary. The largest single bestiary I can think of is Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, and that's a little over 500. Most games round out at about 250 if they're lucky. The idea that a game needs over a thousand to even approach acceptable is, frankly, completely ludicrous.

[septembervirgin]

Wait. 500 or so pages of all the deities that have appeared in SMT titles but they're not appearing in each? I mean are there say 1000 "demons" or so in each game, or something approximating that in all games total?

[Kakizaki]

Yes. Not every demon appears in every single game. Sometimes they disappear for a while and pop in again in a later title.

I can't think of a single game that has even close to a thousand creatures in it's bestiary. The largest single bestiary I can think of is Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, and that's a little over 500. Most games round out at about 250 if they're lucky. The idea that a game needs over a thousand to even approach acceptable is, frankly, completely ludicrous.

No doubt.

[Fuyukaze]

Havent seen ALOT of the charcters from previous games at all in any of the games we've got. I'd guess there to be around 1100-1300 from what I can tell. Then again, some devils have multiple versions depending upon the artist for the game. Nekomata has changed greatly in appearance over the past 10 different titles. The angels roster has changed somewhat in the SMT titles we've got as well. Some still havent had a US debut either. If you want an exact count, do more research and learn what's available in all the games. Also, having 1000+ devils in the same game is rather a moot point as many of them have such simular abilities the only differences is their class and family. I'd rather the abilities be expanded upon more then anything. Cant think of how but somehow that feels it could use more before they create new devils.

[dragonlife29]

I was just called dragonfly...lol =P

Kakizaki, what book would it be that you're talking about? I'm interested.

[Riku Xander]

I was just called dragonfly...lol =P

Kakizaki, what book would it be that you're talking about? I'm interested.

^ Same here.

[Olethros]

Very well then. :) I am sure there's no need to panic. I'm just a computer screen with images thereupon.

SMT has more than enough demons
I haven't seen all the demons in one SMT game because they have more than enough

This statement sent shivers down my spine. Nothing against you personally, but it sounded a little too close to the phrasings of a previous (and quite literally insane) member. Ughh. :frown:

[raum215]

ATLUS has one of the most interesting "Monster Manuals" There is in that it is NOT complete depiction of any one given system, and yet EACH can be found to include the others:

For Example, the treatment of Theurgia Goetia. Raum (spirit 42, appearing as a crow) is one of the ones that has stood out for me. However being there as Raum in his highest dignity is Yatagarusu - who is assoiated with the Sun and the former dignity from which Raum had fallen and seeks Redemption. so, in his own vanity, he went were humans held him in the highest regard... and thus became part of the portfolio of images by which the Demonic and Human interact.

I think it is more interesting to look at it as if EACH religion or mythology had SOME truth to them, and thus the collective imagery is all-inclusive of the highest forms of those truths from the cultures that gave the greatest amount of dignity or reverance, if only in fear.

ATLUS has more than enough Mythology Dictionaries, I would wager. But some things are not going to fit in the scholarly works of Others for the artisitic license ATLUS takes, and thankfully so: Look at Forneus, for another Goetic example, or how Cu Sith at once fulfills the Celtic Mythos by name and also could as easily be another name of the being in Theurgia Goetia known as Glasya Labolas.

THEY FIT WELL; and the gaps are few.

[Riku Xander]

Very well then. :) I am sure there's no need to panic. I'm just a computer screen with images thereupon.

SMT has more than enough demons
I haven't seen all the demons in one SMT game because they have more than enough

This statement sent shivers down my spine. Nothing against you personally, but it sounded a little too close to the phrasings of a previous (and quite literally insane) member. Ughh. :frown:

Who might that be?

[Kakizaki]

I was just called dragonfly...lol =P

Kakizaki, what book would it be that you're talking about? I'm interested.

^ Same here.

Akuma Jiten - SMT Demon Bible.

[Riku Xander]

Thanks I'll look into it. Any suggestions on where to find it?

[Kenji]

A thousand...?

I mean, okay, everyone has their pet obsessions when it comes to games. Some people are really into collecting things and will attempt to max out an item list. My obsession is defeating the strongest bosses in the game (within reason... I won't go beyond my own boredom). But, a thousand...? I can't imagine trying to recruit that many...!

So far, Nocturne is the only MegaTen that I have with a filled Compendium, and I did that because I was seriously considering the second playthrough on Hard and really wanted that 66% price cut. Most of the others, after the first playthrough, are around the 65-80% range, and this is after fusing many demons/Personae/etc. only to immediately fuse them again to see what else I can get. Of those 65-80% compendiums, I'd estimate no more than 15-30% have had any real effort put into making them proficient fighters.

Point is, with less than 200, I'm having enough trouble making the most out of it. With a thousand, there'd be whole races of demons that I'd never even see, much less find useful...!

[septembervirgin]

Point is, with less than 200, I'm having enough trouble making the most out of it. With a thousand, there'd be whole races of demons that I'd never even see, much less find useful...!

I notice that responses make reference to prior Atlus SMT games, not to future SMT games. Point is, only Atlus can know what will be included and what won't, what will be necessary and what won't. However, please do keep in mind that MMO do require greater variety than CRPG -- no one wants the same thing as everyone. Also, new CRPG design structure, easier and more affordable graphic design tools, plus the facilitation of more uses for demons and personae might permit a wider variety of demons and even demand these.

And so it might be that we might find that long dead heroes and even interesting theories (even unto the Agon of Harold Bloom) might appear. Anyone for allying with or summoning Evolution? Then again, maybe not.

Altogether we must remember that SMT will be determined by Atlus, not us. The best we can do is suggest ideas and provide feedback on our game experiences, let our feelings about Atlus games be known... and ask questions.

As to this subject, it's wearing thin. I can foretell an argument brewing.

[Hamel]

and again
We as long time fans don't want 1000+ demons per game
too much

[Kakizaki]

Altogether we must remember that SMT will be determined by Atlus, not us. The best we can do is suggest ideas and provide feedback on our game experiences, let our feelings about Atlus games be known... and ask questions.And as before per my suggestion, speak with those who actually develop the titles, not localize them.

And again, as I have said before, if you had a greater understanding of the series, you would understand what a large problem that such a sizable bestiary would pose when such factors as tracking demon negotiations are taken into consideration.

Anyway, I find this thread tiresome - especially considering the person that created this thread is quite vague when giving answers. I find this to be a needless hassle, and I have to wonder if it is intentional. Thread locked.

Thanks I'll look into it. Any suggestions on where to find it?I found mine on Ebay.