Shin Megami Tensei V Development Is Now In Full Swing And Getting Triple The Work Effort On Demons

We haven’t heard much about Shin Megami Tensei V since last November, but Atlus provided a little update on its development as well as thoughts from the producer on working on their first Switch title in an interview with 4Gamer.

The interview took place following Atlus’ annual visit to the Kishimojin Shrine, where they visit to pray for the success of their games, but first the well-being of the staff as well as fans who support their games. 4Gamer attended the traditional visit with Atlus this year before the interview with Shin Megami Tensei series producer Kazuyuki Yamai.

Here are a couple highlights from the interview concerning Shin Megami Tensei V:

4Gamer: First of all, we’d like to thank you for inviting us to such an important occasion. Since you guys prayed for success, does it mean development on Shin Megami Tensei V is now in full swing?

Kazuyuki Yamai, Producer: Yes. When the game’s production first started, the project only had a few core members, and we’ve been gradually adding more people to it. While more people will be joining, we now have a solid group of staff members, and I feel like we’ve reached the turning point where we can actually say “We’re making it.”

I believe this is your first time producing a game for Nintendo Switch. Can you share some thoughts on what kind of game you’d like to make for the new hardware?

Yamai: Firstly, considering that it’s our first home console title in a good while, I want it to have magnificent content that can be thoroughly enjoyed on a TV. On the other hand, I’d like for it to have a sense of relaxation that will let you enjoy demon fusing while plopped down a bed, as with Shin Megami Tensei IV and Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse on 3DS. There are some other gameplay elements [in mind], but our goal is to make it a proper title for both home console and portable console.

Of course, I want it to have many demons, and I want to work on making it suitable for the hardware’s specs. As for the effort we’re putting into demons this time around, I believe we’re putting in about three times the amount of effort for each demon compared to previous titles.

So far we’ve seen shots of what appears to be a Tokyo-like city in ruins and such in a teaser trailer, but we’re curious to see what kind of story and world [Shin Megami Tensei V] will offer.

Yamai: There’s still a lot that we can’t show… of course we did get to show a glimpse of the scenario and its drama in the shots and trailer revealed so far, but I think it’s barely the tip of the iceberg, and it feels more like we haven’t shown anything at all. It might be a little difficult for you to simply guess what happens from there, but I hope everyone enjoys imagining all kinds of things for it.

I believe we’ll release various information, but since we just started the production (in full swing), I’d like for us to focus on that first.

Shin Megami Tensei V is in development for Nintendo Switch.