[Candescence]

For a while now, Index, Atlus' parent company, was being investigated by Japanese authorities for what is basically fraud. At the same time, Index was also going into severe debt. This time, however, it seems to have had some severe consequences for the company. Index is now going bankrupt.


http://www.neogaf.co...01#post66624001

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http://japan.cnet.co...iness/35033951/

Index will undergo civil rehabilitation proceedings. Yup, they're going bankrupt and they're going to be restructured by creditors it looks like. RIP.

https://twitter.com/...164804150886400

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Index holdings just announced they are going bankrupt: http://j.mp/14yXH7U Maybe there's a Dragon's Crown curse?

I'm not sure what civil rehabilitation proceedings entail, but if the creditors start selling off Index's assets, many people have been speculating that the most likely potential buyer would be Nintendo, who have a close relationship with Atlus and a vested interest in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, not to mention the SMTxFire Emblem crossover that Nintendo will very much want to see completed at all costs. It's not the first time Nintendo has bought a prominent JRPG developer, as shown with Monolith. Namco Bandai is also a possibility.

I actually kinda do want to see the former happen, partly because I want Persona games on Nintendo consoles, and to watch the inevitable shitstorm that will occur when Sony and Microsoft fans realize they're not getting Atlus titles ever again.

Edit: Also, for the record, Index isn't being liquidized, it's reorganizing. They're trying to get sponsors for a buisness transfer for the games division. They're either expecting to partner up with someone or they're looking to be completely bought up.

This post has been edited by Candescence: 27 June 2013 - 05:00 AM

[JaxTH]

Why not SEGA? They were publishing their titles for a bit.

EDIT: Distributing them rather.

This post has been edited by JaxTH: 27 June 2013 - 06:07 AM

[Kiddo Cabbusses]

It's questionable whether Sega is in a good financial position to buy up companies again. I'd say wait to see if they sue GearBox over Aliens: Colonial Marines before considering them as an option.

[Overlord]

Yeah, I don't think Sega has the cash to throw around on this. Nintendo certainly does.

[TheKazeblade]

Capcom or Konami I would say sounds the more likely candidates. Their style of games match Atlus' more than Nintendo or Sega.

[Hero Of Fate]

It's like Marvelous or GungHo would pick them up; I'd prefer Marvelous. If anyone other than them is going to pick them up, should be Nintendo since they actually seem to respect Atlus. SEGA is not the right partner for them, look at Platinum.

[W.A.C.]

Hero Of Fate, on 27 June 2013 - 06:44 PM, said:

SEGA is not the right partner for them, look at Platinum.

SEGA worked out well as a partner until their financial situation got so lousy that they could not afford to fund Bayonetta 2. I don't think Capcom would be a good partner because of decisions they made in the past (R.I.P. Clover Studios) and Konami killed Hudson Soft so fuck them. Though if Konami revives the Bomberman series in a very positive way, all would be forgiven. Nintendo would be an interesting choice, but that would ruin their ability to make and produce games for non-Nintendo systems. As for Namco, I don't know enough about the companies (or Atlus in all honesty) to know if they would be a good fit together.

[Hero Of Fate]

They barely release anything that isn't for a non-Nintendo system these days, just putting that out there. That's the only reason I think it's somewhat rational.

[Aesculapius Piranha]

Persona 4 Arena was released for Xbox/PS3 last fall. I think Persona 4 Golden was on the Vita around that time too, or maybe I just learned about it late.

[Kiddo Cabbusses]

W.A.C., on 27 June 2013 - 07:06 PM, said:

I don't think Capcom would be a good partner because of decisions they made in the past (R.I.P. Clover Studios) and Konami killed Hudson Soft so fuck them.

Betcha 2 dollars the current Capcom would try to make Persona into a AAA Western-style QTE-cinematic action game.

While still completely ignoring Breath of Fire.

As for Konami... Well, they could use a JRPG IP, I guess...? I dunno, though. They're a bit westernize-happy as well...

[Hero Of Fate]

Aesculapius Piranha, on 27 June 2013 - 09:46 PM, said:

Persona 4 Arena was released for Xbox/PS3 last fall. I think Persona 4 Golden was on the Vita around that time too, or maybe I just learned about it late.

As opposed to SMT IV on 3DS, Soul Hackers on 3DS, Etrian Odyssey on 3DS, two Devil Survivor games in one year: One on 3DS and one on DS. I'm pretty sure there's more, but I must admit SMT, Persona, and Etrian Odyssey are the only games I really pay attention to; out of Atlus.

This post has been edited by Hero Of Fate: 27 June 2013 - 11:04 PM

[Aesculapius Piranha]

Now that my mind is on Persona 4 Arena, maybe Arc System Works will take the bait. >_>

Unlikely since they aren't exactly a huge developer, but it's an amusing thought.

[W.A.C.]

So SEGA might buy Atlus? Is SEGA in decent enough financial shape to buy Atlus? o_O

[Mykonos]

Pretty sure. I mean they bought Relic earlier this year, from what I hear that's been going well for them too.

[Hero Of Fate]

That would be the worst fucking thing ever, though. Seriously, kiss any Western Atlus release goodbye.