If you’re familiar with the games Etrian Odyssey and Shin Megami Tensei, you’ll know the name Atlus. The North American regional office has done its best to present a strong games presence on Nintendo systems, and it’s a developer that Nintendo has a partnership with. Presently, they’re collaborating on the RPG mashup release of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei.
But sadly, it appears that the parent company of Atlus—Index—is having some serious issues in Japan. Previously, the company was placed under investigation for “shady business practices”, and Kotaku is reporting that the company is entering into “civil rehabilitation proceedings.” It’s like bankruptcy, sort-of.
The company is apparently allowed to continue to exist and trade, but in the meantime it needs to restructure, satisfy its debts with creditors, and get back on solid ground in terms of business procedures. It may be able to improve and continue to exist in the long run, but there may be court dates for the company in the near future.
It’s complex, yes, and at this point in time, no one is quite sure how Index’s troubles will affect Atlus, if at all. We (and other Nintendo fans, we assume) are hoping that Atlus will be able to continue to develop and produce great games on Nintendo systems, despite whatever happens to its parent company.
