Persona 5: Global Expansion Rumors Surface

Persona 5: The Phantom X Global Launch on the Horizon?

SEGA's latest financial report hints at a potential global release for Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X). The report indicates that the game's initial performance is meeting expectations and that international expansion, including a global launch, is under consideration.

Currently in Open Beta – Limited Regions

Licensed by Atlus, P5X initially soft-launched in China (April 12, 2024), followed by Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan (April 18, 2024). Currently in open beta, the mobile and PC title is published by Perfect World Games (South Korea) and developed by Black Wings Game Studio (China).

Players step into the shoes of "Wonder," a high school student who moonlights as a Phantom Thief, battling societal injustices alongside the original Persona 5 Joker and a new character, YUI. Wonder's initial Persona is Janosik, inspired by Slovakian folklore.

The game retains the core turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon crawling elements of the Persona series, but introduces a gacha system for character acquisition.

New Roguelike Mode: Heart Rail

A recent gameplay video showcases the new "Heart Rail" roguelike mode, reminiscent of Honkai: Star Rail's Simulated Universe. This mode offers power-up choices, diverse maps, and rewarding challenges.

SEGA's Strong Performance and Future Plans

SEGA reported robust sales for several titles, including Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (1 million units in its first week), Persona 3 Reload (1 million units in its first week – Atlus' fastest-selling title ever), and Football Manager 2024 (9 million players).

The company is restructuring, creating a new "Gaming Business" segment to focus on online gaming, aiming to establish a significant presence in the North American online market. For FY2025, SEGA projects increased sales and profits, with the Full Game segment targeting 93 billion Yen (approximately USD 597 billion). A new Sonic title is also anticipated for next year.