Sega Considers Global Release for Persona 5: The Phantom X

SEGA Weighs Global Launch for Persona 5: The Phantom X

Will Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) grace American shores? SEGA's recent financial report hints at a potential global release for the popular gacha spin-off. The report indicates that P5X's initial performance is meeting expectations and that expansion into both Japan and global markets is currently under consideration.

Currently in Open Beta – Limited Regions Only

Licensed by Atlus, P5X initially launched in a soft-launch capacity for mobile and PC in China on April 12, 2024. This was followed by releases in 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, joining forces with familiar faces and new allies to combat societal injustices.

Wonder's initial Persona is Janosik, inspired by Slovakian folklore and embodying a Robin Hood-esque persona. The iconic Joker from the P5 series is part of the team, alongside a new character, YUI.

P5X retains the turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon crawling elements of the mainline Persona series, but integrates a gacha system for character acquisition.

New Roguelike Mode: Heart Rail

Prominent Persona content creator, Faz, recently showcased the new "Heart Rail" roguelike game mode in his gameplay video. This mode, currently exclusive to the China release, bears resemblance to Honkai Star Rail's Simulated Universe, offering power-up choices, varied maps, and stage completion rewards.

SEGA's Strong Full Game Sales

SEGA also reported robust sales for its "Full Game" category, including strong performance from new titles from its Japanese studios and continued sales of previously released games. Notable examples 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, with plans to expand into the North American online gaming market, establishing it as a third pillar of their business model. The segment will also encompass SEGA SAMMY CREATION's slot machine operations and PARADISE SEGASAMMY's integrated resort facilities.

For FY2025, SEGA projects year-on-year increases in sales and profits. The Full Game segment is expected to generate 93 billion Yen (approximately USD 660 million – note the corrected USD conversion), a 5.4% increase compared to FY2024. A new Sonic title is also anticipated for next year.