Sega Mulls Persona 5: The Phantom X Global Launch

SEGA's latest financial report hints at a global launch for Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X). The report indicates that the gacha spin-off, currently enjoying a successful start in select Asian markets, is under consideration for both Japanese and global release. This follows the game's open beta launch in China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Currently in Open Beta: Initially soft-launched in April 2024, P5X is available on mobile and PC in several Asian regions. Developed by Black Wings Game Studio and published by Perfect World Games, the game casts players as "Wonder," a high school student who moonlights as a Phantom Thief, battling injustice alongside familiar faces like Joker and a new character, YUI, and wielding the Persona Janosik.

Gameplay and Features: P5X retains the core turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon crawling elements of the mainline Persona series, adding a gacha system for character acquisition. A recently added roguelike game mode, "Heart Rail," similar to Honkai Star Rail's Simulated Universe, offers additional replayability. Link to Faz's Gameplay Showcase

SEGA's broader financial picture shows steady sales in its "Full Game" category, boosted by titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Persona 3 Reload, both achieving over 1 million units sold globally within their first week of launch. Football Manager 2024 also saw strong performance with 9 million players.

Looking Ahead: SEGA is restructuring its business, creating a new "Gaming Business" segment encompassing online gaming, slot machines, and integrated resort operations. The company forecasts increased sales and profits for FY2025, projecting 93 billion Yen (approximately $597 million USD) in revenue for the Full Game segment. A new Sonic title is also anticipated for next year. The potential global release of P5X adds further weight to this positive outlook.