Insider Alleges Persona 3 Reload Expansion Pass Contains Cut Content

A prominent Sega leaker has claimed that the entire expansion pass for Persona 3 Reload has already been completed and removed from the game before its release. This surprising information contradicts the established perception of the Persona 3 Reload development timeline among fans.

The highly anticipated Persona 3 remake was officially announced during the June 2023 Xbox Games Showcase. Atlus revealed that the project would be a reimagining of the original 2006 game, rather than its later versions P3 FES and Portable. The absence of a remake of The Answer, a lengthy epilogue chapter from the original game, has sparked debate among fans. Some argue that the grindy nature of The Answer is essential to the full experience of Persona 3, making its exclusion from Persona 3 Reload a significant issue.

Persona 3 Reload Released Before The Answer Remake

Nine months after the release of Persona 3 Reload, Atlus announced the expansion pass which includes Episode Aigis: The Answer for $34.99. Fans assumed that the remake of the epilogue was still in the works and would be released in September, following the common industry practice of post-launch content development. However, Sega leaker Midori has claimed that the entire expansion pass was actually completed before the release of Reload on February 2.

Twitter article posted by Makoto Messiah Yuki

Atlus May Have Been Sitting on Persona 3 Reload for Years

Midori revealed that Persona 3 Reload was completed almost two years before its release in spring 2022. This suggests that the game was finished early on but The Answer content was cut from the initial version. Producer Kazuhisa Wada had previously mentioned that active production started in the second half of 2019. With Midori's recent statement, it appears that the entire development process lasted approximately three years. This is quite a short timeline for a modern AAA game, whether it's a remake or not.

Twitter article posted by みどり

Midori has a strong track record when it comes to leaks regarding Atlus and Sega. Recently, this insider accurately leaked details about the Persona 3 Reload expansion pass and its release timing, which have now been confirmed. They also mentioned on Twitter that Sega is focusing on post-launch content to keep players engaged with their games.

Persona 3 Reload Screenshot 2 Aigis spell attack medium close-up - The leaker likened Reload's DLC-inclusive business model to that of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's action adventure Lost Judgment, which received three expansions over the 6 months following its 2021 release

The leaker compared Reload's business model to Lost Judgment, which got three expansions after its release last year. In the latest info dump, Midori also mentioned that Atlus will not add P3 Portable's female protagonist to Persona 3 Reload.

Editor's P/S:

The revelation that the Persona 3 Reload expansion pass was completed long before the game's release is surprising and raises questions about Atlus's development strategy. While it's possible that the company withheld the content for business reasons, such as maximizing profits through post-launch sales, it could also indicate a lack of confidence in the original product. The exclusion of The Answer, a significant part of the Persona 3 experience, has disappointed some fans and casts doubt on the completeness of Persona 3 Reload.

Midori's leak also suggests that Atlus may be prioritizing post-launch content over the initial release, a trend that has become common in the gaming industry. While this approach can extend the life of a game and keep players engaged, it also raises concerns about the quality of the base game and the value proposition for consumers. It remains to be seen whether Atlus can strike a balance between providing a satisfying experience at launch and offering meaningful post-launch content that enhances the game without feeling like an incomplete product.