Exciting news for fans of the Persona series: Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) might soon be available worldwide. SEGA's latest financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 2024 have hinted at a potential global release for this gacha spinoff of the beloved Persona 5.
SEGA is Considering to Release P5X Globally
Is Persona 5: The Phantom X Coming to America?
SEGA has revealed that they are considering expanding Persona 5: The Phantom X to both Japan and global markets. According to their financial report, P5X is "starting off as expected" in terms of sales, and SEGA is actively contemplating a broader release.
Currently in Open Beta for Select Regions Only
Persona 5: The Phantom X, developed by Black Wings Game Studio and published by Perfect World Games, initially launched in China on April 12, 2024, for mobile and PC. It was later released in Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan on April 18. The game is currently in its open beta phase, offering players a chance to dive into its unique world.
In P5X, players assume the role of "Wonder," a high school student by day and a "Phantom Thief" by night, wielding Personas to combat societal injustices. The protagonist starts with a new Persona named Janosik, inspired by Slovakian literature and embodying the "Robin Hood" archetype. Joining Wonder are familiar faces like Joker from the original Persona 5 series, and a new character, YUI.
The game retains the turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon crawling elements of the Persona series, but introduces a gacha system for character acquisition, adding a fresh twist to the gameplay.
New Roguelike Gamemode - Heart Rail
Content creator Faz has showcased the new Heart Rail update, a roguelike game mode exclusive to the Chinese version of P5X. This mode, reminiscent of Honkai Star Rail's Simulated Universe, allows players to choose power-ups, explore various maps, and earn rewards upon completing stages.SEGA Steady Sales in Full Game Category
SEGA reported consistent sales in its 'Full Game' category, driven by new releases from Japanese studios and continued sales of titles from the previous fiscal year. Notable successes include Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which sold 1 million units globally in its first week after launching on January 26, 2024, and Persona 3 Reload, which also achieved 1 million global sales in its first week in February, marking the fastest sales for any Atlus title. Additionally, Football Manager 2024 has attracted 9 million players since its November 2023 launch.
SEGA’s FY25 Forecast and Mid-Term Changes
Looking ahead, SEGA plans to restructure its business, creating a new 'Gaming Business' segment. This segment will focus on expanding into the online gaming market in North America, aiming to establish it as a key pillar of their business model. Alongside online gaming, the segment will encompass the development, manufacturing, and sale of slot machines by SEGA SAMMY CREATION, and the operation of integrated resort facilities by PARADISE SEGASAMMY.
For FY2025, SEGA forecasts a year-on-year increase in sales and profits, projecting 93 billion Yen (approximately 597 million USD) for the Full Game segment, a 5.4% rise from the previous year's 88.1 billion Yen. They also anticipate launching a new title in the Sonic series, one of their flagship IPs, in the coming year.
