Atlus' Persona Games: Sweet Shell, Deadly Poison

Kazuhisa Wada highlights that the launch of Persona 3 in 2006 marked a pivotal shift for Atlus. Prior to this game, the company adhered to what Wada calls the "Only One" philosophy. This approach, characterized by the motto "if they [the audience] like it, they like it; if they don't, they don't," focused on creating games that were edgy, shocking, and memorable.

Wada notes that before Persona 3, discussing a game's potential sales was almost considered "unseemly" within the company's culture. However, the success of Persona 3 led Atlus to adopt a new "Unique & Universal" strategy, moving away from the "Only One" mindset. This new approach aimed at crafting original content that could resonate with a wider audience. Essentially, Atlus began to consider the market appeal of their games, striving to make them more accessible and engaging.

Wada uses a striking metaphor to describe this shift: "In short, it's like giving players poison that kills them in a pretty package." Here, the "poison" represents Atlus' traditional commitment to delivering powerful and shocking experiences, while the "pretty package" refers to the appealing design and relatable, humorous characters that attract a broader audience. According to Wada, this "Unique & Universal" strategy will continue to be the foundation for future Persona games.