This NeoGAF topic uncovered the PEGI classification for Persona 4 Arena Ultimax in Europe. It shows that Sega of Europe will be publishing the game in Europe. Zen United had been handling publishing of a few Atlus games in the past, including Rune Factory 4 and the first iteration of Persona 4 Arena. However, in May it was confirmed via Siliconera that Atlus had taken over distribution rights from Zen United for Persona 4 Arena in Europe, following the game being pulled from PSN in the region.

Worth noting is the fact that only a Playstation 3 listing shows up in the PEGI database as of now, while a multiplatform (Xbox 360 and Playstation 3) release is scheduled for Australia and North America. Ultimax is already out in Japan.

It is suggested in the above-mentioned NeoGAF thread mentions that that Germany-based media distribution and marketing company Koch Media could be distributing Persona 4 Arena Ultimax in Europe. Sega of Europe and Koch Media have overseen European distribution of some Sega games since the 2012 restructuring of Sega of Europe that saw the closing of several Sega offices, initially announced here. With Atlus now a part of Sega, they can now benefit from Sega’s resource network which includes their partnership with Koch Media in Europe.

The fact that Sega is publishing a title that is an IP of newly-acquired Atlus comes across as one of the most notable public displays of Sega and Atlus working together, and it recalls the earlier suggestion made by Atlus once Sega acquired them that Atlus could benefit from Sega’s “circulation network” and large company size.

On a related note, it seems that Sega will also be publishing Persona 4 Arena Ultimax in Australia, as well.

Earlier this month we wrote about Margaret’s announcement as post-launch DLC for Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Siliconera confirmed earlier this week through a statement made by Atlus USA that Margaret will also be available for download in North America one week after the game’s release date of September 30th. At the very least, it is good news that the North American version and the Japanese version of the game will be on par with each other content-wise. Hopefully the European release date is announced soon with all content in tow.

The release date for Persona 4 Arena Ultimax in the Americas was recently revealed. Siliconera writes that the game will be out on September 30 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Rise (Persona 4) and Ken+Koromaru (Persona 3, as one unit) are new characters added to this iteration, and Marie and Adachi, both from Persona 4, will be available as free downloads within the first week after the game’s release.

Interestingly, Margaret from Persona 4 was also revealed as an addition to Persona 4 Arena Ultimax’s roster, but thus far we are only aware that she is going to be available in Japan as post-launch DLC. No word yet on Margaret’s addition to the game outside of Japan. In battle, Margaret will use multiple Persona’s in battle; you can check out this Gematsu posting for some screenshots previewing Margaret in-game.

No word yet on the Madcatz-developed and PS3/PS4 dual-compatible Persona 4 Arena Ultimax arcade stick’s release date yet either, for those wondering.

This week’s issue of Famitsu contains an interesting interview with Atlus CEO Naoto Hiraoka teasing some of the company’s future projects. After some talk about Atlus’ recent focus on the Persona series with Persona 5, Q, and Dancing All Night (alongside other media highlighting the franchise’s presence like Persona 4: The Golden Animation and Arc System Works’ expansion title Persona 4 Arena Ultimax), Hiraoka mentions that Atlus will perhaps be ready to announce “that title” soon, and in addition also have a stand-alone new IP in the vein of Catherine or Dragon’s Crown in the works.
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We reported earlier on about the fact that the original Persona 4: Arena was the only PS3 game in existence to be region locked. Thankfully, Atlus have confirmed that the sequel that will be region free for the Americas. Along with that news, we got to learn more about the pre-order bonuses for the game. Atlus stated the following on their official website:

Persona®4 Arena Ultimax, the upcoming fighting game from ATLUS will not be region locked for the Americas and will be available this fall for the PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®; pre-orders and all first-run editions will include a collectible Teddie bop bag and Set #1 of the iconic Persona Tarot cards. (Set #2 will be included with Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth.) This follows the recent announcement that playable DLC character Tohru Adachi will be offered for free the first week after the game’s launch. Full details are available here:

http://www.atlus.com/p4au/purchase.html

We’re still waiting for news on a European release of the game, but at least importing the US version will actually be an option now.

Atlus is showing no less than three Persona titles at E3, all of which are confirmed for a release in North America (unfortunately European fans are still waiting for more news). Among these is of course Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the sequel to Persona 4 Arena. Atlus revealed a new E3 trailer for the game which can be seen below. Continue reading »

Atlus has announced that you can now preorder Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the sequel to Persona 4 Arena, for North America on PS3 and Xbox 360. The 2D fighting game will cost $59.99 and will be released on September 30th. Its predecessor had a Story Mode that lasted about 30 hours and directly followed the events of Persona 4, and aside from the main cast of Persona 4, it also featured the return of key characters from Persona 3. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax will continue the story of the previous game, and also feature more returning characters from Persona 3 and 4.

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