Atlus USA has sent out an official statement regarding the company’s situation in light of Index Corporation’s bankruptcy.
The publisher had only good news to report. In its remarks, Atlus said that it continues “carrying on day-to-day activities, business as usual.” As is the case in Japan, Atlus USA’s titles are still scheduled for launch on their previously-announced dates.
“Currently, Index Digital Media, Inc. and the ATLUS brand are unaffected by the Index Corporation proceedings in Japan. We’re carrying on day-to-day activities, business as usual. Shin Megami Tensei IV and Dragon’s Crown are still releasing on July 16 and August 6 respectively, and we’re licensing and publishing third-party titles such as R.I.P.D: The Game and Daylight. We want to thank all of our fans for their outpouring of support.”
LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins is available on Amazon
at a discount. It comes with a little bonus, too.
You can purchase The Chase Begins for $23 through Amazon. All current purchases come with a minifigure of Chase McCain, the game’s main character.
Disastercake’s Soul Saga is now fully funded on Kickstarter. 17 days remain, yet the $60,000 target has already been reached.
There’s still plenty of work to be done with the campaign. Soul Saga has numerous stretch goals on the horizon. If the Kickstarter hits $80,000, the game will officially head to Wii U, PlayStation 4, and PS Vita.
Thanks to Ken P for the tip.
Flipnote Studio 3D is seeing a small delay in Japan. The free download has moved from July 3 to July 24 – it’s an extra three weeks wait.
Nintendo will be making Flipnote Studio 3D available in August across North America and Europe. A specific August 1 date was previously announced for European territories.
Nintendo has released another firmware update for the 3DS. By grabbing today’s download, your system will be upgraded to version 6.1.0-11.
Admittedly, the newest firmware is less exciting than the one released earlier this month. Nintendo’s official notes say that the update provides the following:
“Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.”
The new 3DS firmware is available in both North America and Europe. Note that you’ll need to update your system in order to access the eShop.
Another round of Fantasy Life Link details are now available, thanks to the new trailer Level-5 released earlier today. Read on below for the new additions that are being added to the 3DS game.
– Online multiplayer lets players link up together with friend codes
– Chat with other players with a touch screen keyboard on the bottom screen or canned messages
– StreetPass feature puts other people’s avatars in your town
– More hairstyle and face parts for additional avatar variation
– Customize the avatar in the middle of the game if you feel it needs a makeover
– Take pictures with a new screenshot function
– Max character level up from 100 to 200
– Skill levels up by 20
– Parameters can be boosted to 100
– New dependability stat for companion characters has been added to Link too and if this stat is high the companion gets a big boost
– The best title you can earn in Fantasy Life Link! is “god”
– New pet bird and pet dragon options along with dogs and cats
– Can exchange the pet you currently have
– Pets also have the dependability stat and if this is high they can use more powerful special attacks
– New items including furniture to collect
– Can build a villa to lounge in and explore a brand new island
Some troubling news dropped in for Atlus during the wee hours of the morning earlier today. Index Corporation, Atlus’ parent company, filed for bankruptcy in Japan.
Following the news, Atlus confirmed that the development and release of its current games – Dragon’s Crown, Shin Megami Tensei IV DLC, and Etrian Odyssey: The Millennium Girl – are unaffected for now.
“The PlayStation 3/PlayStation Vita versions of Dragon’s Crown, both the retail and digital download versions, are set to be released on July 25 as it was originally scheduled. We apologize for worrying our users.”
“Multiplayer and save data sharing functionality for Dragon’s Crown is conducted via the PlayStation Network. Because of this, multiplayer services are guaranteed.”
“Additionally, downloadable content that’s currently in development for Shin Megami Tensei IV, as well as the retail and demo releases for Etrian Odyssey: The Millennium Girl are set to proceed for the time being.”
Meanwhile, the official Persona series PR Twitter account apologized to those concerned about the company and said, “we want you to believe that. Atlus will live forever!”
The tweet in full:
“Good evening. We’re sorry to worry everyone. We are working very hard in order to bring fun games to everyone, and we want you to believe that. Atlus will live forever!”
Source 1, Source 2
The third Zero Escape game is not yet in production, according to creator Kotaro Uchikoshi.
Uchikoshi told GamesRadar that he has the title’s story “developed in my head, but it hasn’t really gone into production yet.”
Uchikoshi couldn’t say when the team will begin making the new Zero Escape. However, Uchikoshi did say, “maybe in the near future we can proceed.”
The story itself I pretty much have developed in my head, but it hasn’t really gone into production yet. There’s no promises yet, but maybe in the near future we can proceed. This is all from the fact that I was invited to GDC to speak, and that we were nominated for best narrative. That sort of led to the users’ voice saying, “We want the next one,” and that is pushing it. Thanks to the users, the company has pushed forward with thinking to the next level of actual development, but there’s no promises just yet.
