Atlus Crafts Persona Games with a "Poisonous Sweetness"

Kazuhisa Wada highlights that the 2006 release of Persona 3 marked a significant turning point for Atlus, shifting the company's core values from the "Only One" philosophy to a "Unique & Universal" approach. Prior to Persona 3, Atlus embraced the "Only One" mindset, which focused on creating games that were edgy, shocking, and memorable. Wada explains that this approach was driven by the belief that "if they [the audience] like it, they like it; if they don't, they don't." At that time, considering a game's marketability was almost considered "unseemly" within the company's culture.

However, Persona 3 changed this perspective. The game led Atlus to adopt the "Unique & Universal" strategy, emphasizing the creation of original content that could appeal to a broader audience. This meant that Atlus began to consider the commercial viability of its games, aiming to make them more accessible and engaging.

Wada metaphorically describes this new approach as "giving players poison that kills them in a pretty package." Here, the "poison" represents Atlus' traditional commitment to delivering powerful and shocking experiences, while the "pretty package" refers to the game's appealing elements, such as stylish design and likable, humorous characters that attract a wider audience. According to Wada, this "Unique & Universal" strategy is set to be the foundation for future Persona games, ensuring they continue to balance originality with broad appeal.