Atlus Assures Fans Business Will Continue as Normal

[roseofbattle]

Atlus Assures Fans Business Will Continue as Normal

After the deal that put Sega Sammy in control of Atlus-parent Index Holdings, Atlus states it has a great relationship with Sega.

Earlier this week [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/127904-Sega-Buys-Atlus-Parent-Company-Index-Holdings ] Sega and Atlus confirmed that Sega Sammy had purchased Index Holdings. Many began to worry what this meant for Atlus and Atlus USA, the publishing arm responsible for localizing many Japanese titles. Naoto Hiraoka, Atlus president and CEO, wrote a statement to fans to ease any fears.

"The recent incident must have surprised and worried all of you dearly," Hiraoka wrote. "For that, I would like to express my deepest apologies." Hiraoka goes on to state that Atlus has nurtured a great relationship with Sega, and Sega is quite aware of Atlus's brand.

Index Holdings filed for bankruptcy in June [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125447-Persona-Developers-Parent-Company-Files-For-Bankruptcy ], and Atlus was likely to be bought by another company.

With Atlus confident that things will continue like usual, Sega will hopefully encourage Atlus to continue working on the JRPGs that have built up its brand. And hopefully Atlus USA will localize more games for its western audience. Hiraoka said they are now focusing on developing future titles and willing to "take on new challenges to further achieve growth and success." He is optimistic about the deal with Sega Sammy as he believes Sega will be able to expand its business while Atlus continues to develop games.

Atlus is responsible for making many well-received JRPGs such as Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Catherine. The next Atlus USA game, Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl will launch for the 3DS on Oct. 1.

Source: Game Informer [https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/09/19/atlus-expresses-gratitude-to-fans-in-first-post-acquisition-announcement--.aspx]


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[SomeLameStuff]

As I've said before, Sega no touch Persona 5, SomeLameStuff happy guy.

 

[Akisa]

Well looks like I'm not touching Atlus anymore due to Sega buying them.

 

[mirage202]

I feel for Atlus fans. Why?

Company of Heroes 2.
Total War: Rome 2.

Something strange is going on at Sega it seems.

 

[infinity_turtles]

I have hope as long as Atlus are under Sega Dream/Sammy and not under Sega itself. If I'm lucky, that hope will not be crushed.

 

[Roxas1359]

Well looks like I'm not touching Atlus anymore due to Sega buying them.

Good thing it was SEGA Sammy that bought them and Atlus is still it's own company then. SEGA Sammy bought all of Index and are just changing Ibdex's name to SEGA Dream Corporation. That's all this really is, they change the name. Atlus us still Atlus and the only thing tgat's different is that they get their funding from SEGA Sammy instead of Index now. Plus SEGA Sammy is just a holdings company, that's all. >.>

 

[Ipsen]

Well looks like I'm not touching Atlus anymore due to Sega buying them.

Well, you're going to get slammed for this, but I'll tell you first, plainly (without much knowledge to back it up?) that Sega Sammy is a different entity than the development branch of Sega. Sega is rather huge in Japan like Squareenix. And like SE, the Sega brand does more than develop and produce games.

EDIT:Ninja'd! First time, actually.

I also managed to misquote. Sorry Mirage!

And I wish all the best to Atlus. As my favorite developer/producer of games, as long as they can stay as they are in a very volatile business world, I'm a happy camper. No apology needed, Mr. Hiroaka.

 

[GAunderrated]

If the quality of products continue Atlus then I see now problem in continuing the support you. If I feel like SEGA's shadow is involved..... well *stars at sonic, Shining Force, and Valkyria Chronicles then sheds a tear*

 

[shintakie10]

Well looks like I'm not touching Atlus anymore due to Sega buying them.

Good thing it was SEGA Sammy that bought them and Atlus is still it's own company then. SEGA Sammy bought all of Index and are just changing Ibdex's name to SEGA Dream Corporation. That's all this really is, they change the name. Atlus us still Atlus and the only thing tgat's different is that they get their funding from SEGA Sammy instead of Index now. Plus SEGA Sammy is just a holdings company, that's all. >.>

Which branch was it that pulled the dick move and basically banned any Lets Play of SEGA stuff on youtube?

 

[Roxas1359]

Which branch was it that pulled the dick move and basically banned any Lets Play of SEGA stuff on youtube?

It's not every SEGA game though, I know because I do Let's Plays and would have already taken down my Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle HD LPs, and the colab Sonic the Hedgehog (06), Sonic Heroes, and Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing Transformed I have on my channel and on my colab channel would be taken down as well. If it were true then I'd be dealing with more copyright than I could manage that's for sure. Plus that would mean Chuggaconroy would not be allowed to continue his Sonic Colors LP that he's currently doing and BrainScratchCommentaries and Hellfire Commentaries would have to take down all their SEGA stuff too.

The only game that was put up that couldn't be LPed last year was Shining Force, and to answer your original question that was SEGA of Japan's decision and SEGA of America was trying to get it reversed. SEGA of Japan also never really gave a full on answer as well to that. When it comes to it though there are still Shining Force videos on Game Anyone, a website entirely dedicated to Let's Plays and Walkthroughs of the commentary and noncommentary variety, and I have been finding myself transitioning more towards that site as of late.

 

[Norithics]

It sounds like the corporate structure of this is too tangential for any of Sega's racism contempt for its Western consumer base to bleed through to Atlus. Which is good, because I've basically come to consider them to be opposite ends of the spectrum.