Time to panic: Atlus/Index in trouble

I try to keep this site light on industry news, but this is too troubling to skip! Tokyo-based Index Corporation, known best for its Atlus game division (maker of great niche RPG series like Etrian Odyssey and Shin Megami Tensei/Persona), has filed for “Civil Rehabilitation" — Japan’s close equivalent to our bankruptcy process.

The company plans to continue operating as usual, but it’s expected to seek restructuring from creditors, and it will search for a sponsor or a buyer to take over the business, according to reports on Index’s translated press release. There are probably a dozen publishers I could imagine swooping in to absorb Index/Atlus — hopefully it will be one of the good companies (and by “good," I mean one that will allow Atlus to keep releasing 3DS games) if it comes to that.

I don’t think this will affect the release of Shin Megami Tensei IV in a few weeks, nor do I think Dragon’s Crown is in jeopardy. This does not bode well, however, for the U.S. release of Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl or Wii U’s Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem.

Props to RaidingHearts for the GIF from Atlus’ Catherine.