The Phantom Thieves - there's no stopping them! They pulled a daring heist just to prove how powerful they are and that no obstacle is insurmountable. I'm saying that they've done the impossible and stole the P5 Japanese VO data and delivered it to Atlus USA for inclusion in the western release of the game as free DLC at launch!
I'll repeat that a little more clearly:
PERSONA 5 WILL HAVE DUAL AUDIO IN THE WEST.
But, as is the case, this means we are going to have to nudge our launch back just a bit - Persona 5 will now release on April 4, 2017. I know, I know - the wait has been agonizing, but the Japanese release of Persona 5 smashed all our expectations, and as a company, we decided that we owed our fans the very best effort to make Persona 5 our gold standard in localization. Practically, this means redoubling our QA and localization efforts, even returning to the studio to record previously unvoiced lines. We don't want to rush this game (yes, you can still post a "Winter 2014" crack on Twitter, but I'm rolling my eyes at you), and in this case, it meant we needed to move the release back for the last time.
But we're not done there. Oh no, we're not done even a little bit.
The Phantom Thieves did the miraculous and gave us the Japanese VO, but it didn't come without a price. Their demand? We have to show the world their exploits with a playable demo at this year's PlayStation Experience. So yes, Persona 5 will be playable at PSX! We hope to see you there! (Email for appointments!)
Oh, I'm just getting this update from our IT guys right now - while the Phantom Thieves were dropping off the VO data, they couldn't help themselves and stole some data from us. That data is a PS4 dynamic theme and avatar set of Ryuji Sakamoto (a.k.a "Skull"), and they've put it up on PSN for FREE. Our crack security team almost caught it in time, but for the next ~24 hours or so, anyone in the Americas can get this theme for free! Our security experts have also spotted the Phantom Thieves on a trans-Atlantic journey, and have learned that Europe will receive the same offer beginning on Nov. 24. (The theme will be made available again at launch, but it will be paid.)
I think that's all for the exploits of the Phantom Thieves, but we have some more news still! Way back when we first revealed the P5 "Take Your Heart" premium edition, there were a lot of placeholders for the artwork. Well now we have the updated version of the artwork, which you can see below! The art book, soundtrack CD, SteelBook™ case and collectible outer box have all been updated!
Oh, and if you're curious, we're streaming P5 on our Twitch channel RIGHT NOW, so come join us! http://twitch.tv/atlususa
And because I know some of you just scrolled down here for links, here's a tl;dr so you won't miss on ALL the news:
- P5 is delayed until April 4, 2017
- P5 is getting Japanese VO as free DLC
- P5 will have a playable demo at PlayStation Experience
- There's a free P5 theme up on PSN right now
- The P5 premium edition got updated with new art
- We're streaming P5 right now.
And finally, we have not one, not two, but THREE new trailers -
Yusuke Kitagawa
Don't stop there, we also have two new members of the Phantom Thieves to reveal. First off, we've got the elegant Yusuke Kitagawa. He can most aptly be described as an artistic savant, and his love for aesthetics and talent for art is second to none. Unlike the rest of the Phantom Thieves, this Bohemian beatnik attends Kosei High School and joins the motley crew after a very fateful event involving his art mentor/idol Madarame. Although Yusuke can be eccentric, codename Fox harnesses his love of true beauty to help the Phantom Thieves. I mean, it wouldn't be a group of social misfits without at least one starving artist right?
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Makoto Niijima
Next up, we have Shujin Academy's resident overachiever Makoto Niijima. So how did a straight-laced honor student and the student council president get involved with the mischievous Phantom Thieves? Let's just say that it's her duty to figure out the identities and motives of the group (she is student council president after all). Even though codename Queen appears to be the antithesis of a rebelling high schooler, she has a strong sense of morality and will do what she can for a righteous cause. Besides, it's a probably a VERY good thing for the group to have an intelligent strategist formulate their heists. Just imagine if Ryuji had to plan them...
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Lending her amazing talents to the role of Makoto is Cherami Leigh, who took the time to speak with us about what it was like working on the project and being the rock of the Phantom Thieves!
Interview
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The details of the two limited PS4 editions of the games are:
SteelBook Launch Edition - PlayStation 4 only ($59.99/CA$79.99) Available only to PS4 pre-orders and a limited number of day-one purchases, while supplies last.
- SteelBook: The PS4 version will come specially packaged in a SteelBook collectible case, emblazoned with Persona 5 designs.
"Take Your Heart" Premium Edition - PlayStation 4 only ($89.99/CA$109.99)
Exclusive to the PS4 version of the game, the premium edition includes the following:
- Soundtrack CD: A selection of music from Persona 5 by legendary series composer Shoji Meguro in a CD wallet featuring P5 artwork.
- 4" Morgana plush: Morgana the cat is not just the mascot of the Phantom Thieves, but is also a member--and also not just a cat! The premium edition includes an exclusive 4" plush of Morgana.
- 64-page hardcover art book: This art book is full of concept sketches, character art, and more by character designer Shigenori Soejima.
- SteelBook: As strong as a vault, the game disc for the PS4 will come specially packaged in a SteelBook collectible case, emblazoned with Persona 5 designs.
- School bag: Designed after the traditional school bags in Japan, the exclusive replica bag comes complete with the Shujin Academy crest.
- Collectible outer box: Easily the largest premium edition in ATLUS' history, the entirety of the "Take Your Heart" Premium Edition comes in a colossal collectible box.
Persona 5 is a game about the internal and external conflicts of a group of troubled youth who live dual lives. They have the typically ordinary day-to-day of a Tokyo high-schooler - attending class, after school activities and part-time jobs. But they also undertake fantastical adventures by using otherworldly powers to enter the hearts of people. Their power comes from the Persona, the Jungian concept of the "self;" the game's heroes realize that society forces people to wear masks to protect their inner vulnerabilities, and by literally ripping off their protective mask and confronting their inner selves do the heroes awaken their inner power, and use it to strive to help those in need. Ultimately, the group of Phantom Thieves seeks to change their day-to-day world to match their perception and see through the masks modern-day society wears.
Persona 5 will release on Feb. 14 in the Americas and Europe, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. Pre-orders are now available at participating retailers for either version of the game. The game is rated M by the ESRB.
For more information, please visit the official website, atlus.com/persona5
