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[duckroll]

I apologize if this has already been answered but...

How public is this kind of stuff in Japan? I know with the THQ firesale it was extremely public from beginning to end, we had a pretty reliable timetable of when events would happen and what they would involve, would we get the same if Index were to sell off Atlus and it's related properties?

Index is a public company, and they're also being investigated for corruption, so yes it should be fairly public.

 

[schwabdizzle]

Sony should just swoop them up. they are a great studio

 

[entremet]

Sony buying ATLUS can make sense. They need Japanese support for PS4/Vita. Atlus IPs are pretty popular in Japan.

I just don't see it. Nintendo either. Sony has been trying to shed studios, not buy more and Nintendo is Nintendo. Can't see them buying ATLUS, especially with Miyamoto at the helm of creative.

 

[Midnight Moon]

Since Europe's been getting the big releases before the US, including Bravely Default later this year.

I have a feeling that will get delayed to next year too.

Shouldn't we be getting a 3DS Direct soon?

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Incoming death of Persona 5

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Who am I kidding, it would have been 3DS exclusive anyway.

Also Sony shouldn't buy, they have RPGs that they sit on of their own. Come on sony! Make those games.

 

[Aquamarine]

頑張れクマ！
You can do it, [Atlus]! ~kuma

ソニーで買ってください！！
Please buy them, Sony!!

きっとうまくいけるクマ！
Surely it can go well! ~kuma

That pretty much tells me that Sony is out of the hunt and is not interested in buying Atlus.

Agreed. Yoshida has SIGNIFICANT leverage over SCEI corporate decisions, and the highly casual / informal way he responded to the whole situation implies that he's rooting for Atlus exclusively as a fan.

 

[Caerith]

Likewise, a Nintendo buyout means we probably wouldn't get Persona games that take advantage of powerful console hardware for the foreseeable future.

Nevermind that "powerful" and "console hardware" don't belong in the same sentence, "Persona" and "take advantage of powerful console hardware" really don't belong in the same sentence.

 

[marrec]

Index is a public company, and they're also being investigated for corruption, so yes it should be fairly public.

Perfect. I'm much more interested in the process of this potential buyout than who eventually does the buying. Thanks for the info.

 

[jiggle]

I think it will either be konami or koei

 

[Delusibeta]

I bet Koch is going to buy them.

That would be one hell of a statement of intent after Deep Silver picked up a fair chunk of THQ.

 

[InsaneZero]

I just don't see it. Nintendo either. Sony has been trying to shed studios, not buy more and Nintendo is Nintendo. Can't see them buying ATLUS, especially with Miyamoto at the helm of creative.

Miyamoto is general manager of Nintendo EAD, not Nintendo's entire game production output.

 

[QuiteWhittle]

Yes, Nintendo has a history of publishing M rated games about the occult and post apocalypse.

What other publisher does?

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Okay aside from Sony, I could Koei/Tecmo picking the franchises. They need an infusion of talent badly plus they need to broaden their portfolio.

 

[DigitalDevilSummoner]

Personally I think it would be great if either Sony or Nintendo bought them.

 

[Dinda]

If we're seriously debating what company between Sony and Nintendo would buy them, I'd think the latter would acquire them, because:

Atlus is developing many titles on 3DS, and all of them saw good, if not great, sales in homecountry (and good sales over here too)
Actually, the only Atlus brand not on Nintendo platforms now seems to be Persona (+ Catherine)
There are good possibilities Nintendo is publishing SMTIV in Europe and, above all, they're developing SMT x FE
Nintendo is much more Japanese-centric than Sony right now (Sony didn't even obtain to have FFXV and KH3 as PS4 esclusives, after all. Not that this increases so much Xbox One's chances in Japan, but still), and they already demonstrated they're not so against such operations (Bayonetta 2 it's a niche title after all, and its Japanese sales are around those of many big Atlus releases).

But still, I firmly believe neither of them will buy Atlus. In the case, it wouldn't be Sony.

That's all true, but it would make so much sense for Sony.
Sony has a really good and diverse 1st party lineup, but they don't really have a good RPG or Japan specific Studio or even IP's. The acquisition of Atlus would fill those holes in their lineup immediately.

 

[cafemomo]

What other publisher does?

Capcom

Personally I think it would be great if either Sony or Nintendo bought them.

Why not both?

Nintendo and Sony can have each 25% stake in the company. While NIS/Marvelous/TK/whatever can have the rest.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Sony would have the least meltdowns.
Nintendo would have lots of meltdowns.
Microsoft would never buy a Japanese developer so people would start making suicide pacts.

Sony doesn't buy Japanese studios either. They never have in fact, not once.

 

[jello44]

If Nintendo bought Atlus, they'd probably shoehorn Mario in there as a demon of some sort.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Agreed. Yoshida has SIGNIFICANT leverage over SCEI corporate decisions, and the highly casual / informal way he responded to the whole situation implies that he's rooting for Atlus exclusively as a fan.

What would sony gain by buying them? The Persona IP with no one to make it, or a small team that makes it when they feel like it?

 

[jay]

If Nintendo bought Atlus, they'd probably shoehorn Mario in there as a demon of some sort.

Mario's appearance in Xenoblade was the worst.

 

[Caerith]

People suggesting Nintendo are stupid or trolls. Yes, Nintendo has a history of publishing M rated games about the occult and post apocalypse. As for Sony, that would limit Atlus selling games on Nintendo handheld which is bad for business.

I'm really hoping for Sega Sammy to swoop in and save the day.

I'm not sure I follow. You say it's stupid/trolling to suggest Nintendo and then illustrate why it isn't stupid?

 

[DyTonic]

Sony might want wanna get a slice, secure some exclusives ...

 

[NeonZ]

Yes, Nintendo has a history of publishing M rated games about the occult and post apocalypse.

Can't see them buying ATLUS, especially with Miyamoto at the helm of creative.

Well, Nintendo is trying to expand their studios and had apparently made a deal with Atlus to develop a FE game for them (which became the SMT x FE crossover). They seemed to be working closely together right now, even if Nintendo doesn't have much history working on something like SMT. They've also have had some success in Nintendo's portables in spite of their different products.

Still, it'd likely be better for everyone if another Index-like group, but this time not one suffering from corruption, saves them. That way, everything could continue just like it had been before. Persona could stay in the Sony systems, where the fanbase likely is waiting right now, and they could also continue their portable and other SMT games for Nintendo hardware.

 

[Jamix012]

Nokia to buy Atlus and launch the N gage 2 with Persona 5 launch title exclusive.

 

[Deleted member 125677]

If Nintendo bought Atlus, they'd probably shoehorn Mario in there as a demon of some sort.

0/10

 

[Snakeyes]

Nevermind that "powerful" and "console hardware" don't belong in the same sentence, "Persona" and "take advantage of powerful console hardware" really don't belong in the same sentence.

Even smaller dev teams benefit from having more resources at their disposal. In Atlus' case we could see things like better textures and more detailed demons/character models. A small difference, but one nonetheless.

 

[TheSeks]

Still, it'd likely be better for everyone if another Index-like group, but this time not one suffering from corruption, saves them.

Another Index-like corp that treats their fans like shit? Nothxkbi.

 

[jackal27]

Humanity. If you kill Atlus, God may forgive you, BUT I NEVER WILL.

 

[Saint Anima]

That's all true, but it would make so much sense for Sony.
Sony has a really good and diverse 1st party lineup, but they don't really have a good RPG or Japan specific Studio or even IP's. The acquisition of Atlus would fill those holes in their lineup immediately.

Sony has plenty of Japanese RPG IPs...they just choose to do nothing with them for the most part!

 

[kswiston]

How many people work at Atlus? They seem like a larger operation than the sorts of studios Nintendo tends to acquire.

Universe. If you kill Atlus, God may forgive you, BUT I NEVER WILL.

If God exists, wouldn't the blame lay with him?

 

[Coxy]

I'm really hoping for Sega Sammy to swoop in and save the day.

sega has about 40 RPG IP of their own they cant be bothered doing anything with

 

[entremet]

Sony doesn't buy Japanese studios either. They never have in fact, not once.

Yep. Which is why I don't see them buying ATLUS.

 

[DigitalDevilSummoner]

Why not both?

Nintendo and Sony can have each 25% stake in the company. While NIS/Marvelous/TK/whatever can have the rest.

That's cool as well. I mean don't give a toss about exclusivities and stuff like that, I just was someone to fund an HD MegaTen game.

 

[Cornbread78]

What would sony gain by buying them? The Persona IP with no one to make it, or a small team that makes it when they feel like it?

with a quick glance, handheld RPGs for the VITA.....

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

sega has about 40 RPG IP of their own they cant be bothered doing anything with

Sega still does stuff with Shining and Phantasy Star at least.

 

[Lunar15]

Dammit console fanboys, just let me freak out/potentially mourn over this in peace!

 

[Soriku]

Sony has plenty of Japanese RPG IPs...they just choose to do nothing with them for the most part!

This is true...for people saying Sony should buy Atlus so they can have a JRPG studio, consider asking Sony to do something with the IPs they already own first.

 

[Midnight Moon]

What if Platinum Games and Atlus Merged...

You could call the company "Platinum Atlus"

Omgggzzzz the meltdowns.

I hope Atlus pulls through...gonna try and get into their games. I already own the Trauma Center series.

If it comes down to it and Nintendo is the only option I'm okay with it. I could see Atlus merging with Level-5 or Marvelous though.

 

[DaBoss]

At this point, I don't care who buys them, I want them to live. I would prefer a 3rd-party company to buy them, but if a first-party company has to buy them to make Atlus live, then I'll have to deal with it.

 

[DarkLordMalik]

Sony has plenty of Japanese RPG IPs...they just choose to do nothing with them for the most part!

Because they aren't popular in Japan and pretty much dead in the west.

They have Alundra and Arc the Lad along with Legend of Dragoon. Arc the Lad is dead these days due to the horrible games that it received later. Legend of Dragoon and Alundra have not seen a release beyond PS1.

 

[Tyrant Rave]

I just hope someone saves Atlus

 

[Elios83]

Atlus seems a good match for Namco or Tecmo/Koei.
I'd like them to keep their freedom. Also I'll do my part with Dragon's Crown

 

[redhood56]

I hope someone guys them. It really doesn't make much of a difference unless they do some stupid ass decisions. I wouldn't mind Sony buying them, and I am fine with nintendo too. I need a reason to by a wiiu

 

[Silky]

Koch Media/Deep Silver purchasing Atlus? ...One hell of a curveball. Instant EU support, too.

 

[jello44]

What if Platinum Games and Atlus Merged...

You could call the company "Platinum Atlus"

Omgggzzzz the meltdowns.

I hope Atlus pulls through...gonna try and get into their games. I already own the Trauma Center series.

If this gets me a Vanquish styled game starring Aegis, I'd be ok with this.

 

[Galang]

This is true...for people saying Sony should buy Atlus so they can have a JRPG studio, consider asking Sony to do something with the IPs they already own first.

I can't see Sony spending all that money to just put them on their own IPs... What would be the point of purchase.

I agree that Namco seems a good fit potentially.

 

[Mpl90]

However, I wouldn't be worried about Atlus not being bought by anyone. Their IPs have a good following in Japan, especially SMTIV and Persona, but also Etrian Odyssey. It's not like THQ when it failed. They will find someone who will acquire them, all of them. The question is...who will pick up them? A gaming company? An hardware holder? Or someone external?

 

[faridmon]

Yep. Which is why I don't see them buying ATLUS.

Nor do I see Nintendo buying them. They are usually reserved buying companies and they bought Monolith just because they had too much investment in it already.

Microsoft, this is your time to make a splash in the Japanese market. Take it!

 

[Kyon]

Another Index-like corp that treats their fans like shit? Nothxkbi.

who sis?

 

[Midnight Moon]

If this gets me a Vanquish styled game starring Aegis, I'd be ok with this.

I guess I'm hyped for Atlus. SMT4 will be my first game ever and I have Dragon's Crown on preorder too even though they are just publishing it. Guess I should check out Soul Hackers too.