Shinichi Suzuki, President and CEO of the American Branch, will be leaving his position after 20 years. He'll be replace by Naoto Hiraoka (The ace detective :D) who will help

"bring both the Japanese and North American divisions closer together with a focus on localization."

Mr. Suzuki has helped the company in many ways and it sad to see him go. However, Mr. Hiraoka vision for Atlus is promising and shows that Atlus will remain strong.

http://www.thegamerscene.com/2012/08/shinichi-suzuki-steps-down-as-atlus-head-naoto-hiraoka-appointed-for-president-and-ceo/

http://www.news10.net/entertainment/gameguys/article/203326/99/Atlus-names-new-President-and-CEO

That's what happens when you region lock.

Atlus USA has been around for 20 years?

@Bocam: Established in 1991, according to Wikipedia.

That's what happens when you region lock.

Don'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitupdon'tfuckitup.

@Hailinel said:

@FluxWaveZ

That's what happens when you region lock.

Don't be an ass. The region lock wasn't Atlus USA's decision.

Uh... I kinda know that? Just making a facetious comment relating to localization because of Mr. Hiraoka's statement is all.

Sorry for touching a sensitive spot or something.

As someone not really familiar with the workings of Atlus, does this change of leadership signify a change in direction or is this just a boring change of who gets the biggest paycheck?

@FluxWaveZ: Didn't you import the Japanese version of P4A? How'd that work out for you?

@Hailinel said:

@FluxWaveZ

That's what happens when you region lock.

Don't be an ass. The region lock wasn't Atlus USA's decision.

Uh... I kinda know that? Just making a facetious comment relating to localization because of Mr. Hiraoka's statement is all.

Sorry for touching a sensitive spot or something.

Well at least he stepped down. It would be bizarre for someone to get fired before a game that is launching so soon.

@Bocam said:

Atlus USA has been around for 20 years?

I'm surprised to be honest.

@Bocam said:

@FluxWaveZ: Didn't you import the Japanese version of P4A? How'd that work out for you?

Oh, just fantastic, thanks. Received it on July 25th.

Wasn't expecting it to work with my PS3, but I found out that I get obsessed with things that I'm very attached to, so I couldn't not try it. Inserted the disc and got some garbage about it being region locked, so I just sat at the menu screen pressing "X" for a about 5 minutes.

Then I considered acquiring a Japanese PS3 to play it, but the cheapest ones they had on Play-Asia were 220V Asian ones, so I'd need to get a 220V - 110V converter as well as some other stuff to get it to work.

So yeah, fantastic.

@Hailinel said:

Taking pot shots at people for decisions you don't like when they had nothing to do with those decisions is inconsiderate. It's not a sore spot. It's common decency.

...Huh? I think you're a bit too invested in the game's region locking, because you're seeing things that aren't there. Calm down, dude. I was just saying that an increased focus on bringing both the Japanese and NA divisions of Atlus closer is what happens because of the region lock. As a joke. You're taking this far too seriously.

@Hailinel said:

@FluxWaveZ

@Hailinel said:

@FluxWaveZ

That's what happens when you region lock.

Don't be an ass. The region lock wasn't Atlus USA's decision.

Uh... I kinda know that? Just making a facetious comment relating to localization because of Mr. Hiraoka's statement is all.

Sorry for touching a sensitive spot or something.

Taking pot shots at people for decisions you don't like when they had nothing to do with those decisions is inconsiderate. It's not a sore spot. It's common decency.

I think it's more that people forget that intended "wittiness" is often taken as offense. It's a perfect moment for one of the gold rule quotes:

"If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

RELATED NOTE! I'm looking forward to seeing what this change does to Atlus.

@Cloudenvy said:

@Bocam said:

Atlus USA has been around for 20 years?

I'm surprised to be honest.

It made me feel really old. It's almost as shocking as finding out that Shaft has been around for almost 40 years.

@ck1nd: I didn't think that my comment would be taken so seriously. Sorry, then. I personally don't care that much about the region lock, but I guess I should have thought some people are still sour about it before posting that comment.

@Bocam said:

@Cloudenvy said:

@Bocam said:

Atlus USA has been around for 20 years?

I'm surprised to be honest.

It made me feel really old. It's almost as shocking as finding out that Shaft has been around for almost 40 years.

Oh god, I wish you hadn't told me that. Jebus.

@FluxWaveZ: I, honestly, had no idea a region lock had been put into place I was merely trying to represent a common misinterpretation that happens on the internet. It really has nothing to do with singling you out, but really trying to broaden responsibility that seems to be lacking on the internet. I can't see your snarky grin as you typed that phrase or I would've smiled right back and understood the meaning behind the words.

So, in all intents and purposes to the naked eye, you just opened up an old wound and offended someone (I not being of that party). Then again, you could always brush it off and understand that you cannot please everyone.

@FluxWaveZ: I'd offer to buy it off you but I just got my Japanese copy (I wonder if the Asian version is region locked.). But hey you got that cool soundtrack CD artwork that isn't going to be in the American version.

@Phatmac said:

Well at least he stepped down. It would be bizarre for someone to get fired before a game that is launching so soon.

I doubt it was anything other than voluntary. Suzuki was there for alot of decisions that caused Atlus as a whole to be profitable. For example in 2009 Atlus NA distributed Demon's Souls, the game which single handedly saved Atlus from losing money that year, and I don't mean just the US office. It is also their highest selling title they have ever distributed save maybe Catherine at this point.

I've been nothing but impressed with Atlus USA since the Persona 4 Endurance Run. Good luck to him in whatever he chooses to do next.

"bring both the Japanese and North American divisions closer together with a focus on localization."

So, Persona 5 simultaneous release?

@Bocam: Ha, well thanks for the sentiment, although I did manage to sell it eventually so it was all good. Except for losing about $40 in total, but that's what I get. Wasn't expecting it to come with the Arrange Soundtrack, though, but I'll end up with two of them next week, so that's okay (except they won't be the Japanese cover, like you stated).

I know the Japanese version works on Asian consoles, but not sure about the opposite (if there even are Asian specific versions?). My guess would be yes.

@smcn said:

"bring both the Japanese and North American divisions closer together with a focus on localization."

So, Persona 5 simultaneous release?

P4A has just as much story content as a hypothetical persona 5, and it's only a 2 week delay, so it's entirely possible.

@Animasta said:

@smcn said:

"bring both the Japanese and North American divisions closer together with a focus on localization."

So, Persona 5 simultaneous release?

P4A has just as much story content as a hypothetical persona 5, and it's only a 2 week delay, so it's entirely possible.

That is a possibility. Atlus USA has been able to get it licences a lot fast after Index brought them in and help with their structure.

Now all they need to do is to open a fucking Atlus EU office.

:'(

I really hope this doesn't mean that Atlus USA will be held down. I liked the localization of Persona 4, and Persona 3. I cant read Japanese, and have never played those games in their original language. But I always felt they pushed the envelope, especially with Teddy.

@Dagbiker: No, see Mr. Hiraoka, the new CEO, will push hard for localization. Meaning probably faster release out side of Japan. It benefits all.

Hopefully Atlus continues to be great.

@metalsnakezero said:

@Dagbiker: No, see Mr. Hiraoka, the new CEO, will push hard for localization. Meaning probably faster release out side of Japan. It benefits all.

Yeah. Atlus Japan knows how important the USA office is to their operation outside of their home country. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, it was Atlus USA's acquisition of the North American release rights to Demon's Souls and their subsequent handling of the release that pushed their finances into the black in 2009. The one area where the U.S. office could improve is the speed with which localizations are handled.