Atlus U.S.A. has issued a press release today regarding the formation of Studio Zero, a new internal studio of Atlus in Japan. We wrote more about the studio in an earlier article, and the official press release below contains more information. At the same time, Atlus of Japan has updated the new website and also posted a concept video for the new game the studio will be working on, currently titled PROJECT Re FANTASY. The video features real-life footage and outlines Atlus’ vision for the game. It seems the reaction to the video isn’t entirely favorable, as some people apparently expected gameplay footage. Keep in mind the team was only just formed and PROJECT Re FANTASY is still in the concept phase.
As to why they announced the team and the new game this early on, it might have something to do with the fact that they’re looking for people to join their project, as evidenced by the recruitment section on the official website. In an earlier interview with Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka you could sense that Atlus is confident about their projects and the potential of JRPGs in the West, and the formation of this new studio is further proof of that.
The official website can be seen here. Amusingly, the link is simply “rpg.jp”. It is a top-down website that describes the conceptual mission that Studio Zero has, the various talents that are contributing to Project Re Fantasy, and the link for applying to be a part of the development team. It also contains messages from Shigenori Soejima (character design), Shoji Meguro (composer), and Katsura Hashino (director).
The trailer that aired last night on Niconico can be seen below, having since been uploaded to Atlus of Japan’s YouTube account. It aired quite early into the broadcast; the greater proportion of the Niconico stream was not so much about sharing any sort of concrete materials, but rather the stage of crafting a vision or brainstorming.. As it’s a concept trailer, and with little concrete information being publicly made available, this isn’t a video designed to demo a game or idea, but rather to explain Atlus’s complex ambition.
After the video, please find a gallery of high-resolution versions of key artwork pieces for PROJECT Re FANTASY, followed by Atlus USA’s press statement on the newly announced game. Perhaps we can expect to see localization of the final result of Atlus of Japan’s labors?
Studio Zero – ATLUS and Persona 5 Director Katsura Hashino Challenge Themselves by Undertaking a New Fantasy RPG Title
IRVINE, Calif. — Dec. 23, 2016 — ATLUS, the developers behind the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, and Katsura Hashino – director of ATLUS titles including Persona 5, Catherine, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, and others – are launching a new internal studio called Studio Zero. Within the studio’s new logo is a story in and of itself: The number 0 is the “Fool” arcana for tarot cards – the void from which all other things begin – and punctuated with the imagery of a young child on a journey.
For the game itself, though not much information is available as it is in the earliest of stages of development. But a few things are apparent from the outset – it will be a complete departure from the SMT and Persona series, and a return to the roots of where the Japanese games industry began with fantasy role-playing games. However, as ATLUS has always challenged the prevailing styles of RPG design, it is at the core of Studio Zero’s mission to do this again, imbuing the traditional fantasy RPG with a distinctively ATLUS flavor. Hashino is tapped to be the game’s director, along with other legendary ATLUS names. Along on the journey will be Shigenori Soejima from the ATLUS Artwork Team, responsible for creating the character art of the denizens of this new fantasy world, and Shoji Meguro from the ATLUS Sound Team, who will breathe life and depth into the new world as music composer.
“We take seriously this goal of creating a game with the care and detail expected by the people who love ATLUS games and home console games,” said Hashino. “We haven’t determined yet what platform our new game will be, and I imagine this project will take a long time until completion. But we’ll be working hard at this challenge to truly deliver something new and incredible for all our fans.”
While Hashino is focusing entirely on building Studio Zero from the ground up, Soejima and Meguro will maintain their responsibilities to the Persona series. Likewise, P-Studio, the production team in charge of Persona, will continue to operate at full strength to develop new entries to fulfill demand for the series. As the startup, Studio Zero will be a driving source of innovation for all ATLUS development. Keep an eye out on the official website, rpg.jp for additional updates.