Summon the fighter within: Persona 4 Arena (360, PS3) coming to N.America this summer

[AtlusAram]

SUMMON THE FIGHTER WITHIN: ATLUS TO BRING PERSONA 4 ARENA, HD FIGHTING GAME DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH ARC SYSTEM WORKS, TO NORTH AMERICA THIS SUMMER FOR XBOX 360 AND PLAYSTATION 3 SYSTEMS

IRVINE, CA. -- FEBRUARY 21, 2012 -- ATLUS today announced plans to bring Persona®4 Arena™, the highly anticipated fighting spinoff of the award-winning Persona series of roleplaying games, to North America this summer for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Developed in partnership with genre master Arc System Works, Persona 4 Arena uses gorgeous, hand-drawn, high definition 2D anime-style fighters and colorful, over-the-top special effects to bring to life characters from the acclaimed, highly popular Persona 3 and Persona 4. Backed up by an original, hardcore fighting engine from one of the most respected 2D fighting game developers in the industry, Persona 4 Arena represents the biggest, most noteworthy expansion of the esteemed series to date.

"The Persona series has had tremendous success in North America, and Persona 4 in particular opened the series up to wider audiences than ever before," said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ATLUS. "Now we're looking to expand Persona even further by teaming up with a very strong partner, Arc System Works, to move the franchise outside of the RPG genre and develop its potential in new and exciting ways."

Persona 4 Arena is scheduled to release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems this summer. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com/p4arena.

• • • • • • • • • •

About Persona 4 Arena
An unprecedented partnership between ATLUS' Persona Development Team and Arc System Works, Persona 4 Arena creates a new high-definition 2D fighting game that continues the story of the hit RPG Persona 4!

It was thought the Midnight Channel had finally gone dark. However, a disturbing rumor about a late-night TV commercial, said to advertise a new program called P-1 Grand Prix, surfaces. This new show purportedly features high school students engaged in battle with deadly stakes. To get to the bottom of this mystery, the investigation team returns to the world inside the TV...

About ATLUS
Video game publisher ATLUS has established itself as one of its industry's most consistent, celebrated companies. With proven success across a variety of genres and platforms, including enthusiast-oriented games like the Shin Megami Tensei franchise of award-winning, fan beloved roleplaying games (including the hit Persona sub-series of games and the prestigious Nocturne), the groundbreaking, genre-defying Catherine, and Demon's Souls, ATLUS provides quality critically acclaimed interactive entertainment to a wide spectrum of customers.

ATLUS has published games for every major video game console and handheld system, including the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, DS™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable), and PC.

ATLUS is a brand of Index Corporation and its privately held subsidiary Index Digital Media, Inc.

For breaking news, special promotions, insider info, and more, visit http://www.atlus.com/faithful to join the ranks of the ATLUS Faithful!

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AtlusUSA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtlusUSA

©Index Corporation 2012. Produced by ATLUS. SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI, SMT, and Persona are registered trademarks of Index Digital Media, Inc. Persona 4 Arena has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

[Evilkinggumby]

*squee*

[John Cavil]

Good. I like the name-change. I personally would've preferred "Ultimate Midnight Arena", but this works just fine. It's simple enough. :3

EDIT: Hold on... Atlus, you guys DO realize that the logo and initials "P4A" clashes with the anime series...right? Which, by the way, just got licensed by Sentai Filmworks...right?

Maybe you SHOULD change it to my preference... =_=;;

[lavosslayer]

Originally Posted by Evilkinggumby

*squee*

^ THIS...I just hope I can play as Nahato...*swoon*

[iammako3]

Here's hoping they include a REALLY easy mode. I am the worst at fighting games, but I still want this anyway.

[KingOfPrinces]

This summer? Really that soon? Wow!

[Olethros]

to move the franchise outside of the RPG genre and develop its potential in new and exciting ways

Still not sure why this is even necessary beyond the obvious milking aspect. Personally, I'm not even remotely interested in this so it's going to be the first Atlus published game for PS360 that I won't own. However, I am happy it's coming over for those of you who do want it. Atlus deciding to leave anything even peripherally related to SMT in Japan wouldn't be a good thing at this point.

[Juanblue85]

Persona 4: Arena? Hmm as many others have said it would definitely benefit if it was called Persona 4: Midnight Arena. There is still time to rename it again Atlus.

[SinAndPunishment]

Shut Up And Take My Money!

[Tsuko]

Atlus, Don't let Sony of America get in the way of this getting a release via Bluray Disc!!!

[ryne11]

Fine, take ALL of my money, Atlus...

[Latorn]

Wow, this is fantastic news. I'm surprised that it's coming out so soon after the expected Japanese console release, that's just awesome ^^

[Patbl]

Awesome, I can't wait for summer now! :D

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by Olethros

Still not sure why this is even necessary beyond the obvious milking aspect. Personally, I'm not even remotely interested in this so it's going to be the first Atlus published game for PS360 that I won't own. However, I am happy it's coming over for those of you who do want it. Atlus deciding to leave anything even peripherally related to SMT in Japan wouldn't be a good thing at this point.

Is there an actual reason you have a problem with this?

If you're just not into fighting games that's one thing, but since you're throwing out "milking" I'm forced to question it.

I'll admit Atlus has been under a rather dry spell for the last year or so, but that's just normal when moving to two consoles, two new handhelds and still focusing on two older handhelds and mobile development within such a small company. I can't really see a practical way for them to do original content or more central SMT games right now until some systems are phased out and Vita and 3DS development settles in. Farming out IPs for spin-offs and doing ports is probably the safer option for now. I've got no problem with more Devil Survivor or Persona 4.

Another proper SMT and Etrian Odyssey will come. Plus its not like I've finished any of the EOs I have >.>;

At any rate, I'm pretty excited for this, I recently defected to 360 largely because of multiplayer games and more of my friends being there, so its nice to know that Atlus games are continuing to go multiplatform.

[John Cavil]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Is there an actual reason you have a problem with this?

If you're just not into fighting games that's one thing, but since you're throwing out "milking" I'm forced to question it.

I'll admit Atlus has been under a rather dry spell for the last year or so, but that's just normal when moving to two consoles, two new handhelds and still focusing on two older handhelds and mobile development within such a small company. I can't really see a practical way for them to do original content or more central SMT games right now until some systems are phased out and Vita and 3DS development settles in. Farming out IPs for spin-offs and doing ports is probably the safer option for now. I've got no problem with more Devil Survivor or Persona 4.

Another proper SMT and Etrian Odyssey will come. Plus its not like I've finished any of the EOs I have >.>;

At any rate, I'm pretty excited for this, I recently defected to 360 largely because of multiplayer games and more of my friends being there, so its nice to know that Atlus games are continuing to go multiplatform.

Mind, I dunno, growing the f**k up and allowing the man entitlement to his opinion without fanboying and nitpicking?

[Blazingluke]

THEY CHANGED THE NAME OF THE GAME!!!!!

Seriously, "Persona 4 Arena" is a lot easier to say than "Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena", I can't really argue with this one.

So good job Atlus USA! I support your decision

(Pre-ordered)

Edit: Actually, on second thought, "Persona 4 The Ultimate in Midnight Arena" would have worked for me. Looks like the internet really has shortened the name of the Japanese game to P4U and the Persona 4 Anime to P4A. Even the original logo is "P4U". Hopefully there's some discussion on this before the cover art goes final.

[DarkRPGMaster]

I await this with pure happiness.

[Blacksmoke]

Aw yeah, thank you Atlus, you guys rock.

It's supposed to be "P4U" though, isn't it? P4A is the anime...

[Senel K.]

Thanks you guys for bringing this over even before the Japanese console release date is unveiled. Heck, even before the last characters on the roster were announced.

I'll be pre-ordering this as soon as a Limited Edition is announced, also is the English voice cast coming back? I love those guys.

[Glenburg89]

Wow, hearing this news absolutely made my day!
I'm one of the people heavily anticipating this game ever since it's Japanese announcement. The fact that it's getting localized this summer gives me summer plans

[John Cavil]

Ugh, those sigs........

[Blazingluke]

Originally Posted by John Cavil

Ugh, those sigs........

Yeah, 4.5 MB for a sig is a bit much...

Will there be an LE this time 'round? May have to cancel my pre-order like I did with Catherine if it's announced later.

[ani12]

YES! Thanks for bringing this over, Atlus! ^^

[SykoFunc Wyzbi]

I'm just a bit worried about:

"Now we're looking to expand Persona even further by teaming up with a very strong partner, Arc System Works, to move the franchise outside of the RPG genre and develop its potential in new and exciting ways."

Now, believe you me I'm excited about P4A. However, as long as the main games are still considered RPGs (namely Persona 5), I'll be fine and dandy with whatever spin-offs are conceived. I just want a good ol' turn-based, story heavy role playing game for my PS3, which is severely lacking outside of select Gust and NISA titles. I also have an infatuation with the magic of Shoji Meguro's compositions, but that's another issue entirely that I'll solve on my own time.

...I already have P4A pre-ordered on Amazon, and the August 7th release date gives me a good amount of time to lock myself away with this game before I commit myself once more to University. I'm planning on maining either Aigis or Naoto. I'll have to fiddle around with the characters before I make a full commitment.

[illogicaldreamr]

Originally Posted by Olethros

Still not sure why this is even necessary beyond the obvious milking aspect.

It's awesome? I've read plenty of random threads online where people have wished for an SMT or Persona fighting game and here it is, being made by one of the best fighting game companies around. As a fighting game fan, and a fan of Arcsystem Works I'm very excited for this game. Unless the game is terribly broken, it will probably do very well in Japan in the tournament scene and enjoy quite a bit of longevity. I'm sure it will have a small scene in the US too, just like Guilty Gear and Blazblue.

[Yukichin]

I'm quite excited, though I second the concern over "P4A" when the anime's already been licensed elsewhere.

[jeffx]

I'm gonna need more details on the Story Mode before I plunk 60$ down for a preorder.

[John Cavil]

Originally Posted by illogicaldreamr

It's awesome? I've read plenty of random threads online where people have wished for an SMT or Persona fighting game and here it is, being made by one of the best fighting game companies around. As a fighting game fan, and a fan of Arcsystem Works I'm very excited for this game. Unless the game is terribly broken, it will probably do very well in Japan in the tournament scene and enjoy quite a bit of longevity. I'm sure it will have a small scene in the US too, just like Guilty Gear and Blazblue.

...I hope you do realize that there's pretty much NO Guilty Gear or BlazBlue "scene" in the US.

Those two are as niche as they get - it's the college campus tourneys that give them the treatment. That, and it's really just Japan that's giving them the limelight. Hell, as I recall at last year's EVO, Arcsys games completely got shafted and upstaged by Melty Blood, of all things! Melty Blood, which hasn't received a SINGLE release outside of Japan, bolsters more popularity outside of Japan than some games that DID get released outside of Japan.

[illogicaldreamr]

Originally Posted by John Cavil

...I hope you do realize that there's pretty much NO Guilty Gear or BlazBlue "scene" in the US.

Those two are as niche as they get - it's the college campus tourneys that give them the treatment. That, and it's really just Japan that's giving them the limelight. Hell, as I recall at last year's EVO, Arcsys games completely got shafted and upstaged by Melty Blood, of all things! Melty Blood, which hasn't received a SINGLE release outside of Japan, bolsters more popularity outside of Japan than some games that DID get released outside of Japan.

You're right, that's why I said their scenes are small. There's small, dedicated communities scattered throughout the country. Check out dustloop.com. The Guilty Gear scene used to be decent back in the day. With the recent announcement of Accent Core coming to PSN I expect it to get a nice shot in the arm. Anyway, this is off-topic.

I'm excited for this game!

[cj iwakura]

There is very much a scene for both games in the US. Just because it's not thousands strong like MvC or SSFIV doesn't mean it's not there.

There's online matches for BlazBlue all the time.