'Persona 5' release date news update: Game to launch summer 2016 in Japan; U.S. could wait until 2017

"Persona 5" is expected to be released in summer but fans outside Japan might have to wait for a few more months before getting their hands on the localized version. Rumor has it that North American and European gamers may have to wait until 2017 to be able to play the game.

"Persona" fans are fully aware that their favorite game needs to be localized for their area after being released in Japan. They are looking, at least, at a six-month waiting period, as fans discussed on the Game Faqs discussion board.

First, the original game is in Japanese, so every dialogue and text needs to be translated. Second, the person or persons who will be doing the voice-over must be able to fit into the character very well, or it will not be enjoyable for gamers outside Japan.

The game has made quite a following since the first "Persona" game was released outside its home country. However, a big turning point happened during the overseas release of "Persona 3," the first commercially successful game of the franchise outside Japan and "Persona 4" solidified it further.

Recently, the Persona Magazine March 2016 edition was released and it features the chief director of the game, Katsura Hashino, who gave some development news regarding "Persona 5."

Gematsu stated in its translated report of the Japanese article by Gamestalk that the design for the dungeon for the upcoming game will entirely be different from the previous one. It added that players will enjoy it more because of the different stories that the development team has created.

The Atlus team also incorporated some drama into the overall settings of the game and players will reportedly be surprised at the unimaginable things they have put inside the game.

Hashino added that since the "Persona" game series will be celebrating its 20th year, he and his team are planning a sweet surprise for the fans and will make an announcement soon.

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