[Guest]

I don't know if this is just an advertisement post or what, but I don't really care lol. The place seems worth giving attention.

I requested something through the site that I just couldn't find anywhere. A little over a day later I had a response.

They had found both a used and new copy of the book. Both of them were well priced. I've not dealt with the shipping aspect yet, but from what I've seen I'm not concerned.

Some of the requesting stuff is a bit confusing (requesting an item is free, but it directed me to a Paypal payment place and you can't just put in 0 yen... I just closed it, apparently it went through fine), but that's about all I have to "complain" about so far.

Still, it worked well overall so far. So, seriously, thanks for pointing this site out. Assuming I receive the item relatively soon (I just paid and I think there's some more steps), I'll be extremely happy with the experience. I'll let every one know.

I could make a section for it provided there's enough interest, but given the current regular membership, I'm not so sure there would be. I could be proven wrong, though, if people say otherwise.

I know, if nothing else, that there is a member here that had a site basically decided to a SMT RPG and it was pretty full featured. That might actually wind up being what you're looking for...

http://smt-rp.avidgamers.com/

There's a forum for it here: http://z11.invisionfree.com/nocturnechronicles/index.php

One thing I noticed was that the Disgaea box art's title actually used a free version of a font that was designed for the film Dark Crystal lol.

This pink is hideous, though. Like I said, I don't think Atlus's boxes in general are any worse than most of what's out there... but if they go this route, it's going to look just plain awful.

I mean, as it stands, they have at least three pretty damn nice pieces of artwork to use, the logo is available... this glow just isn't necessary.

I wouldn't be all that concerned with getting brand new copies of these games in the first place. In my experience, people with RPGs (especially obscure ones) tend to take care of them. You'd save a bunch of money, more than likely.

In addition, last I saw, DDS2 could still be found at random Gamestops for like $30.

James H. wrote in to let us know that not only is Kotobukiya making an Aegis figurine, they're also making one of http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/kotobukiyashop/detail.msp?id=6132">Mitsuru. It turns out that the Mitsuru figurine was actually the first of the two announced. It is planned for a July release in Japan and follows the same 1/7 scale specifications. She comes with both a sword and gun.

http://www.digitaldevildb.com/images/postart/persona_3/mitsuru_figure.jpg" title="mitsuru figurine" alt="mitsuru figurine" class="devgalimg" height="400" width="300" />

James was also kind enough to send over several related links. In addition to the http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/kotobukiyashop/detail.msp?id=6132">original Kotobukiya page, http://animenewsi.com/index.php?itemid=10113&catid=245&catid=245">AnimeNewsI also has a page on the figurine that is complete with photos (which can also be found on our http://www.digitaldevildb.com/games/persona3/merchandise.php">Persona 3 Merchandise page). It also turns out that http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=1338&category=3622">Big Bad Toystore still be stocking both of these figures in the Fall. You can pre-order them for around $35 USD each.

I'm only a mild RE/Biohazard fan and have only been able to skim through your site, but I really like the looks of it.

Same with me... I mean, I've played all of the games (well, the main ones), but then I go read stuff about the game and don't even remember any of it (story and character details lol).

Anyway, I thought the site was impressive.

[All images are Temporary and are not considered final artwork."]

They did change the Devil Summoner text, it was something else previously. That old text is actually still on their press site. What they wound up with is much better.

Persona 3's, at least what's on EBGames, right now, certainly isn't that spectacular. The background artwork itself is absolutely fine, but essentially they took the logo and added a red glow to it. That pentagram logo is totally superfluous and, if anything, should be made FAR smaller and stuck in the corner (if not ditched entirely). On a whole, it's all just too big.

I'm really not of the opinion that there are gamers out there that will see that pentagram logo and instantly want to buy Persona 3. These people mostly know about it already.

Honestly, though, in general (excluding this box art, in particular) their box arts haven't really been any worse than any other company out there.  I can spot the Photoshop filters too, but you can spot them (and other free fonts sometimes) on covers from many, many companies. I personally have no real problem with them most of the time, but again, this one is particularly bad lol. I don't personally agree that Devil Summoner's sucked (compared to what else is out there, especially), although you could argue that it's way too cluttered at the bottom due to all the branding attached.

In any case, EBGames and Gamestop are quick to label: "All images are Temporary and are not considered final artwork." Personally, I think there's a strong chance that these are going to change and are up there just to be up. People are more likely to pay attention to an item with an image attached. As little as some may like Atlus's previous artwork, I think it's pretty clear that this was a five minute edit.

During that whole downtime period I managed to miss this bit of information from http://animenewsi.com/index.php?itemid=10132&catid=245">AnimeNewsI.

It turns out that Kotobukiya, probably best known for their one-coin figurine series, is making a 1/7 scale (clocking in her at about 210 mm high, or about 8.25 inches), pre-painted PVC figurine of Aegis. She is posable at the neck, arms and wrists, unlike many higher-end PVC figurines. Of special note is that images show her with both her normal and gun hands, implying that these can be interchanged as you please.

Kotobukiya plans to sell her for ¥6,090 in August, 2007. This equals out to about $51 USD. An image is included below, but you can see the rest on our http://www.digitaldevildb.com/games/persona3/merchandise.php">Persona 3 merchandise page or by visiting the original source above.

http://www.digitaldevildb.com/images/postart/persona_3/aegis_post.jpg" title="Persona 3 Aegis Figurine" alt="Persona 3 Aegis Figurine" height="400" width="198" class="devgalimg" />

I posted a news article on the subject, but perhaps it wasn't very clear that it was only in reference to it not being with the initial release.. I wouldn't say it will never come out, but sales of Persona 3 are clearly going to have to make it worth their time. It's not like DDS2 in that it's necessary to finish the story.

I was of some hope that it might be included (there has, after all, been an increase in announced games for the US from Atlus that are still in development in Japan), but it was a bit much. We're talking an add on that's almost as large as the original game. To localize both at once and put it out for $50 would certainly not be very lucrative for Atlus USA. Frankly, from a business perspective, it would be stupid to do.

I'm still going to ask them about it whenever I bother to get around to an interview.

A news post on RPGFan confirmed today that the US release of Persona 3 will not include the Fes expansion disc. Just released in Japan, Fes includes a new chapter to the story and other additions. There was some hope that Fes might be included despite how close in proximity the Japanese release is to the the US release of the main game, but those hopes seem to have been dashed.

We'll let you know if anything else develops. Until Atlus says otherwise, there is always some hope that Fes might pop up eventually.

http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/04/20/103,1177037473,70570,0,0.html">Famitsu's 2006 Awards were recently announced and as such are making the rounds on English websites. As a slight surprise, Atlus's Persona 3 won the "RPG Award". Of course, in a way it kind of feels like a third place nod considering Final Fantasy XII and Pokemon: Diamond/Pearl wound up with the grand prize.

Here's the overall rundown, thanks to http://www.qj.net/index.php?pg=49&aid=90019">QJ.

   
• Rookie Award - Blue Dragon

   
• Best Hit Award - Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

   
• Innovation Award - Wii Sports

   
• Rearrange Award - New Super Mario Brothers

   
• High Performance Award - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

   
• Dramatic Award - Ryu Ga Gotoku 2 (Yakuza 2)

   
• Game Design Award - Okami

   
• Multiplayer Action Award - Monster Hunter Portable 2

   
• Impact Award - Dead Rising

   
• Portable Award - Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

   
• RPG Award - Persona 3

   
• Most Valuable Person - Hironobu Sakaguchi

   
• Game character of the Year - Mario

   
• Game company of the year - Nintendo

   
• Grand Prize: Game of the Year Award - Final Fantasy XII, Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl

Not a major announcement usually, but given the proposed changes to E3 for 2007 (including significant downsizing), it's still good to read. Atlus is signed up with dozens of other major publishers to have some sort of presence at E3. The point of the downsizing (and other changes) was seemingly to pull some of the spotlight off of the biggest players and to prevent it from continuing to be such a circus... we'll see how well this works out for smaller companies such as Atlus.

I suppose I'd call it "experimental". It has techno moments, but it also has hip hop and other genres mixed in. People are probably going to love it or hate it. I'm in the former camp.

This is being closed for redundancy. Check out Yama's thread on the subject here: http://www.digitaldevildb.com/bbs/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=359

Turns out that the information from EBGames that we reported on in March was correct. Persona 3 will be available in a collector's edition package. Atlus confirmed this on their website earlier today with a PDF press release. This so-called "deluxe edition" seems to be the only option available.

Aside from the expected PR lingo, the PDF explains that the game will contain the following items:

   
1. A full-color, 52-page art book packed with character art, concept sketches, and more!

   
2. Soundtrack CD featuring the hip urban-techno music of Shoji Meguro, composer of the haunting and unforgettable scores for Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga!

   
3. A striking collector’s box to store your game and all the extra goodies!

Exclamation points are Atlus's emphasis, obviously. Unfortunately, the press release doesn't give any more concrete information as to the release date. We're still stuck with "Summer 2007", although EBGames is claiming July. It's obviously been right so far.