By the year 2072, the landscape of gaming will be transformed by Atlus, with the company poised to release Persona 4 and 5 in a staggering 58 different genres. These will span from musou and rhythm to fighting, dating simulations, shop management, grand strategy, and even fishing. In this future, it is projected that approximately 86% of video game characters will be Chie, a testament to the character’s enduring popularity. If these trends continue unabated, we may find ourselves overwhelmed by what could be termed ‘Exponential Persona,’ potentially facing this phenomenon long before biodiversity concerns come to the forefront. Personally, I find this prospect intriguing.
However, amidst this whirlwind of creativity and expansion, one segment of the fanbase has been left in the shadows for far too long. The devoted supporters of Persona 1 and 2 have been yearning for remasters, remakes, or even simple re-releases of these classic entries in the series for decades. Their hopes must have been dashed when they discovered that the much-anticipated return of these titles would manifest not in the form of games, but rather as merchandise on Amazon—think t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, thermoses, phone cases, and a couple of baseball caps. Admittedly, the mug does have a certain charm.
Future Possibilities
While the eccentricities of Atlus are well-known, one can reasonably speculate that this is not the last we will hear of the brands Persona 1 Origins and Persona 2 Duality. Ideally, this would pave the way for new games bearing those names, especially considering that Kazuhisa Wada, a key figure at Atlus, has expressed interest in remaking the original Persona titles.
In a less-than-ideal scenario, we might see Atlus announce a Japan-only stage show inspired by the ’90s Personas. For now, fans can only hope for the best while enjoying the new thermos that has become available. The anticipation continues, as the legacy of Persona remains a vibrant topic within the gaming community.
