Famitsu has published a feature where 110 Japanese creators in the game industry discuss their keywords, aspirations, and things they’re paying attention to in the year 2020.

Four of these developers are directors and producers from Atlus: Daisuke Kaneda (Persona Team), Shinjiro Takada (1st Production), Katsura Hashino (Studio Zero), Kazuhisa Wada (Persona Team). Previously, these four gave their top 5 games from 2019 in Weekly Famitsu Magazine.

Daisuke Kaneda (2nd Creative Department – Persona Team)

Daisuke Kanada is a director and producer ot the Persona Team. He worked on the Persona Q series and the upcoming Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers.

Keywords for 2020

“The launch of P5S“

Aspirations for 2020

The first is to complete and release Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers as the best it can be. And through various ways, I want to make as many people as possible enjoy the title.

What to look out for in 2020

I suppose the PS5 (PlayStation 5) would be something I really care about. I’m looking forward to what kind of hardware it will be.

Shinjiro Takada (1st Creative Department)

Shinjiro Takada is an Atlus producer who released Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE in December 2015. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore will be released in January, based on the Western version of the game, with a number of new elements added.

Keywords for 2020

Creating works with originality and charm

Aspirations for 2020

We’ll be keeping you updated on the long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei V, so please look forward to it.

What to look out for in 2020

Of course it is the next generation hardware from each company! In terms of works, “Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash.” I’m also paying attention to “Hypnosis Mic,” which is getting new developments.

Katsura Hashino (3rd Creative Department – Studio Zero)

Katsura Hashino is the creative producer and game director of Studio Zero. His representative works include Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, and Catherine.

Keywords for 2020

A single focus

Aspirations for 2020

Challenging a new RPG in a studio that has started several years ago. In my previous work, Persona 5, I think we were able to bring the fun of Atlus RPGs a over the world, but what can we do if we seriously tackle the fantasy RPG? I hope to make a formal announcement soon.

What to look out for in 2020

There are certainly many things going on in 2020, but I want to focus on development, so I will keep my distance from them.

Kazuhisa Wada (2nd Creative Department – Persona Team)

Kazuhisa Wada is a creative producer and chief director of the Persona Team. He worked on Persona 4 Arena and the “Persona Dancing” series, with his latest work being Persona 5 Royal.

Keywords for 2020

Retry

Aspirations for 2020

2019 was a year where there was much to be done and I had to review my work. I wonder if it was still too early for me to run the shortest distance [to be as efficient as possible].That said, I’m taking this as a positive, as things are beginning to become steadier. In 2020, I think that this will also be my direction, and I will focus on keeping a steady pace. I will take care of each step one-by-one towards the upcoming “Persona 25th anniversary” in 2021.

What to look out for in 2020

How will hosting the Olympics affect our lives and the industry? There are various predictions, and I find it very interesting. I’m also paying attention to creative trends which might come from this.

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The Famitsu 2019 developer aspirations from Atlus developers can be read in last year’s post.

— Famitsu