SEGA Weighs Global Launch for Persona 5: The Phantom X
Will Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) grace American shores? SEGA's latest financial report hints at a potential global release, alongside a Japanese launch, for this popular gacha spin-off. The report indicates that P5X's initial sales are meeting expectations, and further expansion into both Japan and international markets is under consideration.
Currently in Open Beta, Limited Regions
Licensed by Atlus, P5X initially soft-launched in China on April 12, 2024, followed by Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan on April 18th. The game, published by Perfect World Games (South Korea) and developed by Black Wings Game Studio (China), is currently undergoing open beta testing.
Players assume the role of "Wonder," a high school student by day and a Persona-wielding Phantom Thief by night. Wonder joins a team tasked with combating societal injustices, alongside familiar faces like Joker (from the main Persona 5 series) and a new character, YUI. Wonder's initial Persona is Janosik, inspired by Slovakian folklore and embodying a Robin Hood-esque archetype.
P5X retains the core elements of the Persona series—turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon crawling—but integrates a gacha system for character acquisition.
New Roguelike Mode: Heart Rail
A recent gameplay showcase by prominent Persona content creator Faz highlights the new "Heart Rail" roguelike game mode. This mode, currently available only in the China release, shares similarities with Honkai Star Rail's Simulated Universe, offering power-up choices, varied map exploration, and rewarding stage completion.
SEGA's Strong Full Game Sales
SEGA reported consistent sales of new titles from its Japanese studios, along with continued sales of previously released games. Notable successes include Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (1 million units sold globally in its first week), Persona 3 Reload (1 million units globally in its first week—Atlus' fastest-selling title ever), and Football Manager 2024 (9 million players since its November launch).
SEGA's FY25 Outlook and Restructuring
SEGA announced a restructuring, creating a new "Gaming Business" segment. This segment will prioritize online gaming, aiming to establish a strong presence in the North American market as a third pillar of its business model. Beyond online gaming, the segment will encompass slot machine development and integrated resort operations.
SEGA projects increased sales and profits for FY2025, with the Full Game segment anticipating 93 billion Yen (approximately $597 million USD) in revenue—a 5.4% increase from FY2024. A new Sonic title is also slated for release next year.
