News: Atlus dissolved by parent company
0
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30174/Atlus_Dissolved_By_Parent_Company_Index_Holdings.php wrote...
Japanese-headquartered publisher and developer Atlus' parent company Index Holdings has dissolved the company as an independent entity as of today, according to an official announcement on the Index Holdings website.
Index Holdings, which also owns game company Interchannel (Soul Bubbles' Japanese publisher) and animation studio Madhouse, has been the owner of the Atlus brand for some time. The company aims to streamline its business focus to "profitable core areas." The official press release indicates that the Atlus brand will continue, but in what capacity is unclear, at present. The developer has a number of projects in progress, and it is unlikely that those would be shelved in the short term.
Gamasutra contacted Atlus for comment and spoke with manager of PR and sales Aram Jabbari, who says we can look forward to an official release soon, but that Atlus cannot comment on how this may affect publishing or foreign divisions at this time.
Katsura Hashino, director on Atlus' recently announced 360/PS3 action/horror game Catherine, mentioned the change on the title's official dev blog, adding that his team "will endeavor to continue to work for a long time" and that "of course, it's not just the Persona team, it's also other teams working on titles" that will continue their work.
Atlus, best known for its Shin Megami Tensei series of RPGs, was founded in 1986. Its Atlus USA branch has acted as a publisher for not only internally-developed projects, but also high profile third party titles such as From Software's Demon's Souls and Sting's Riviera.
Index Holdings was founded in 1995, and in recent years had mostly focused on mobile content. It acquired Atlus in November 2006 in a stock buyout.
Anyone else have a bad feeling about this?
0
Quadratic wrote...
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30174/Atlus_Dissolved_By_Parent_Company_Index_Holdings.php wrote...
Japanese-headquartered publisher and developer Atlus' parent company Index Holdings has dissolved the company as an independent entity as of today, according to an official announcement on the Index Holdings website.
sooo...
Has Atlus been eliminated and absorbed and tossed out by its parent company?
While still making use of projects under the name of its 'no longer existent' company?
Yeesh. Such stringent, round about and complex words to say: "Hi. Today, we require your services no longer and the game demograph that you cater to. Instead, we will allow you and the rest of the staff to finish what projects are left undone. And all whilst using the extra money to further research our core demograph in the main parent company concerning mobile content/entertainment. Good day."
It could be me (definitely), but that's how it sounds.
0
According to Atlus forums, atlus still exists i believe, and will continue to crank out games i think.
0
It's an indefinite stay of execution, I believe.
Plus, this is in Japan. What then will happen to the foreign branches?
And. From what you gathered, it only reinforces my idea (partially) that games are being developed under the Atlus company name while still being a non-existant, most recently dissolved corporate entity (on paper).
So what remains of Atlus will continue to spew games.
Until that uncertain time comes.
Oh, and don't forget, this might mean a lack of manpower to develop certain games like the just announced 'Catherine'.
Prepare for a long haul gents.
Plus, this is in Japan. What then will happen to the foreign branches?
And. From what you gathered, it only reinforces my idea (partially) that games are being developed under the Atlus company name while still being a non-existant, most recently dissolved corporate entity (on paper).
So what remains of Atlus will continue to spew games.
Until that uncertain time comes.
Oh, and don't forget, this might mean a lack of manpower to develop certain games like the just announced 'Catherine'.
Prepare for a long haul gents.
0
Catherine was supposed the game that tested the HD market for Atlus, to pave the way for Persona 5.
Sadly, looks like that ain't gonna happen.
Although, there was a new Persona game announced.
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/08/31/the-future-of-atlus-new-persona-title-unveiled/
Sadly, looks like that ain't gonna happen.
Although, there was a new Persona game announced.
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/08/31/the-future-of-atlus-new-persona-title-unveiled/
-1
If it stops further releases of P games then i'm glad. If no more REAL Shin Megami Tensei games will be released anymore then i'm very sad.
0
This can't be good. Lets just hope that they continue to release the same high quality games in there new form(What ever that might be).
0
Room101
Waifu Collector
Well, as long as they keep the teams that made the Shin Megami and Persona series, there's a high chance they might continue it...but it's not like it's set in stone.
The fact that parent company specializes in what they called "mobile content" sounds like even more crap on PSP and other handhelds...which is not bad by itself, but does sound like it would be done at the expanse of other platforms.
So, for now it sounds like Shit-is-flying-to-the-fan situation.
Brace for impact? Can go either way really. Guess we will just have to wait and see.
The fact that parent company specializes in what they called "mobile content" sounds like even more crap on PSP and other handhelds...which is not bad by itself, but does sound like it would be done at the expanse of other platforms.
So, for now it sounds like Shit-is-flying-to-the-fan situation.
Brace for impact? Can go either way really. Guess we will just have to wait and see.
0
Good news for the players. Since they'll still be using the Atlus name to release games its still fine. Now being merged into a bigger company might mean better endorsement which might lead to more games.
0
I guess that first Sankakucon article turned out to be very alarming, causing Atlus fans to panic.
I'm glad the company isn't really dissolved.
I'm glad the company isn't really dissolved.
0
See it's not so scary as it sounded people. Just calm down and have a drink if need be. Everything's gonna be fine.
0
Wait....if that's the case won't there be drastic changes to games or stuff they might develop. I'm a little bit worried about what my happen to Atlus and merging isn't always a good thing I think
0
In case there is still some worry going around between peoples, here is something to add to some closure... kinda?
All AtlusFaithful members should have received such an email.
Spoiler:
All AtlusFaithful members should have received such an email.
0
Just an update on the situation by Atlus themselves.
Atlus Safe After Company Merger
So relax folks, it's still alright. Previous games are still in development, so looks like Persona 5 is still safe.
Atlus Safe After Company Merger
So relax folks, it's still alright. Previous games are still in development, so looks like Persona 5 is still safe.
0
So its just a branch of the main company that deals with video games rather than a
corporate entity owning another corporate entity with its own independent structure from a buyout. As it still stands, Atlus is no longer a company(on paper and stock market).
OK, that clears things up. First post is scary misunderstanding.
corporate entity owning another corporate entity with its own independent structure from a buyout. As it still stands, Atlus is no longer a company(on paper and stock market).
OK, that clears things up. First post is scary misunderstanding.